Capital grants available for Essex organisations to improve access to activities in mainstream settings.
During the development of the Essex Short Breaks Commissioning Strategy 2021-2026 families told us that they want more choice of locally based services and better access and inclusion embedded in community-based clubs and activities.
Essex County Council have been delivering annual funding to respond to the what families have told us. The purpose of the funding is to enable local organisations to purchase equipment and/or adaptations to enable them to be more accessible and inclusive for children and young people with SEND. Specifically, it should improve access to activities in mainstream settings.
Organisations can also use the funding towards a publicly accessible Changing Places.
To find out about previous successful projects please visit our Capital Grants and Inclusion Funding page.
Applications close on 21st April 2025.
Please email Shortbreaks@essex.gov.uk for more information, grant guidance and an application pack.
Frequently asked questions
1. When is the funding deadline?
21st April 2025
2. When will I find out if I have been successful?
Award notification is on 27th May 2025 and applicants will be informed if they have been successful or not.
3. Can I use the capital funding for revenue items, such as staffing?
No. Funding is only available to purchase capital equipment or adaptations to premises. This can include purchase of training where it meets capital eligibility criteria.
4. Do I have to be a specialist SEND organisation to apply?
No, any Essex organisations wanting to provide inclusive access to activities to children and young people with SEND in mainstream settings can apply. Applications will be evaluated based on the published scoring methodology in the grant guidance.
5. I want to use the Changing Places for my organisation only. Can I do this?
In order for a Changing Places to be registered on the official website it must be “open to the public”
6. When must the funding be spent?
Funding should be spent in financial year 2025/26.
7. What is a Changing Places?
This funding can be used as match funding towards the design and installation of an Official Changing Place. The design and installation must meet minimum Changing Places Standards to be included on the Official Changing Places Map: https://www.changing-places.org/news/view/changing-places-standards-1