A new fund to help support children, young people and families has been announced by Deputy First Minister John Swinney – but grants won’t be available until June next year. This fund will replace the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Empowering Communities Fund, which comes to an end next March.
The Family and Communities Third Sector Fund will provide up to £16 million per year to reduce inequalities and provide the best outcomes for children and families through offering support, such as training in parenting skills, helping looked after children or perinatal services.
The three year fund will include a focus on early years intervention and provide more certainty for third sector organisations to plan and deliver services.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s dynamic third sector plays a crucial role in helping the Scottish Government achieve its aim of all children growing up healthy, happy and safe. This work improves outcomes for young people and families and helps to tackle inequalities in our society.
“Early intervention is key to addressing a wide range of challenges from early learning to child protection and adverse childhood experiences. We know there is the energy and innovation in our third sector, and whether it is helping children who are caring for a relative or using adult learning to break the cycle of poverty, the organisations benefiting from this fund will help make a real difference.
“The next stage is for bids to come in from the organisations and I look forward to seeing the good work that will take place as a result of this fund.”
Applications will open to third sector organisations in June with funding available from April 2020. The Corra Foundation have been appointed to administrators the fund.
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