Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Go Play Sandwell Grant Programme 2020-2023

Application Guidance

Introduction

This guidance has been drawn together in accordance with current council policy for supporting the voluntary and community sector and is Sandwell Compact compliant.

The Go Play Sandwell grants strand forms part of a grants programme for the period of 2020-2023.

Background and Policy Context

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) recognises the importance of the third sector in supporting communities and we are committed to maintaining support for the sector in particular acknowledging its valuable role in:

Tackling poverty and challenging discrimination Promoting equality, access to services and inclusion Innovation and partnership working

The Go Play Sandwell Grant Programme has been developed in response to the following policy context: Sandwell is the 12th most deprived borough in England, according to HMRC figures, in August 2013, 26.9% of children in Sandwell were living in what is considered relative poverty. Mid-year population estimates 2018 indicate that there are 38,029 of 6 years old - 12 years old living in Sandwell, this age group will be the focus of this grant programme to illustrate SMBC’s commitment to:

Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child “Children have the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”

Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child “Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account”

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Eligibility Guidance Notes

Please take time to read the following guidance notes carefully. They will explain who can apply, what we will fund, how to apply and what you need to send with your application and what will happen when we receive your application.

Programme Description

The basis of the Early Help Strategy is that the earlier help can be provided for children and families the earlier they can thrive and enjoy success. This grant programme supports this vision with particular emphasis on:

Ensuring that our universal services, which all families can use to help build resilience and develop skills they require meeting the needs of their children.

Encouraging and enabling families to help themselves through the provision of effective information and developing the capability of communities to support families without the need for intervention.

Wherever possible, our services will work in smaller neighbourhood localities to build networks of support: Engaging with children and families, using their views to shape the grant programme; a rigorous approach on the quality and impact of services funded which is continuously monitored: using grant aid in the best way.

Sandwell council recognises that play has a valuable role to play in increasing children’s confidence, self-esteem and social interactions, whilst reducing segregation within communities and contributing to the development of social capital by providing communities with a focus for informal networks of family support.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council would like to commission a grant programme which would support Voluntary and Community Sector (not for profit) organisations to deliver free play provision across 7 areas during term time and holiday, delivering a universal open access play service targeting children and young people between the ages 6yrs- 12yrs (up to 16yrs with additional needs) in focus areas of multiple deprivation, high population density and change management, which will be able to offer:

Free provision and a no charging policy (free to use, free to choose, open access)

A minimum of 3 x 2.5hr afterschool sessions in term time per week A minimum of 3 x 5hr holiday sessions per week

Organisations can apply to deliver in one or more of the 7 areas but in order to access the additional allocation you will need to demonstrate how you will target children and young people who are particularly disadvantaged from specific areas of multiple deprivation, high population density and change management. Please be aware that centre-based delivery will not take precedence over detached work within areas.

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We encourage applications from organisations that may not have a physical base but good links with partners (e.g. local libraries, parks, community centres, activity/sports centres, churches), within specific areas from which services may be delivered.

Your project may involve a single activity or a number of related activities e.g. across the geographical area but not necessarily in the same neighbourhood and must benefit disadvantaged children and young people between the ages 6yrs-12yrs (up to 16yrs with additional needs) who live in Sandwell. The programme outcomes should be reflected in the application as well as the impact your project will make to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

Grant arrangement is based on successful application and selection for free play provision for a 3 years period April 2020 - March 2023.

Programme Aims

Play Facilitators – Delivering FREE play opportunities for children across Sandwell.

Play Activators – Supporting creative and interesting opportunitiesand affordances for play across Sandwell communities and spaces.

Play Champions – Advocating for and on behalf of Sandwell children’s right to play and have their voices heard.

Play Educators – Sharing knowledge and ideas with children;partners; parents and carers; communities and those with an interestin children’s rights.

Play Drivers – Working internally and externally to shape policy and promote good practice at every level of decision making.

Outcomes

Children and young people are telling us:Play is fun, and it is important to have fun; Play makes them happy and it is important to be happy; Play makes them feel better; Play is friends; laughing and togetherness; Play is our freedom and liberty; Play belongs to us.

Children are supported to co-create playable spaces and opportunities by working with adults so that their voices and ideas can be taken into account.

Children are supported to play in the places that they want to play in a way that they choose with their friends.

Children are supported to have increased independence and accessibility in their local communities for playing.

Children are supported to have the time and space for positive social interactions with their friends where and when they want.

Parents and carers are telling us:[IL0: UNCLASSIFIED]

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They value play because it enables making friends; building relationships and interactions; learning; expression and discovery and being able to risk assess; social development and fitness even though many do not allow their children out to play without an adult.

Increasing confidence in allowing their children out to play. Support in developing play opportunities that reassure parents but satisfies

children. Increased opportunity to communicate and interact at a local level with local

communities and providers. Increased awareness and links to other local services.

SANDWELL’S VISION 2030

The council’s vision for Sandwell

“In 2030, Sandwell is a thriving, optimistic and resilient community.It’s where we call home and we’re proud to belong - where we choose to bring up ourfamilies, where we feel safe and cared for, enjoying good health rewarding work, feeling connected and valued in our neighbourhoods and communities, confident in the future, and benefiting fully from a revitalised West Midlands”.

Go Play Sandwell – Sandwell Council Play Services oversee this grant programme and below illustrates how play is being delivered as an integral element of the 2030 Vision.

Go Play Sandwell – SMBC Play ServiceImplementing a “rights based approach” we work to raise awareness of children and young people’s need and right to play enshrined in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Article 12 a right to be heard.

We are……Play Facilitators Delivering FREE play provision for children across

Sandwell.

Play Activators Supporting creative and interesting opportunities and

affordances for play across Sandwell spaces and communities.

Play Champions Advocating for and on behalf of Sandwell children’s

right to play and have their voices heard.

Play Educators Sharing knowledge and ideas with children; partners; parents and carers; communities and those with an interest in children’s rights.

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Play Drivers Working both internally and externally to shape policy and promote good practice at every level of decision making.

Sandwell’s vision for 2030 focuses on 10 ambitions for the borough. Our child friendly approach has the potential to unite a range of progressive agendas including health and wellbeing, school readiness, sustainability, resilience and safety and act as a catalyst for urban regeneration and innovation.

Your project must contribute to at least one of these Ambitions to be considered for funding. Full details can be found at www.sandwell.gov.uk/vision2030

Who can apply?

You will be eligible to apply if your organisation meets the criteria set out in the council’s Definition of the third sector:

Grants and other support will only be made available to the following types of organisations:

Voluntary organisations Community groups Tenants and residents groups Faith groups Housing Associations Most co-operatives and social enterprises (provided all profits are retained for

the benefit of the communities served)

That has one or more of the following structures/forms:

Community interest companies limited by guarantee Community interest companies limited by share (schedule 2 including an asset

lock of 100%) Not for profit trade associations Charitable trusts Companies limited by guarantee Unincorporated companies Wholly owned trading arms

To receive a grant, all voluntary and community organisations will need to be able to demonstrate that they are all of the following:

Based in or delivering services in Sandwell Non-governmental

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Value driven for the social good Non-party political Have a voluntary governing body of at least 3 local people Principally reinvest any financial surpluses to further social, environmental or

cultural objectives that bring a significant community benefit to Sandwell Do not distribute any of the surpluses or assets through share dividends to

individuals or shareholders

Please note that the organisation applying for the grant must be the organisation that will receive and be responsible for the funding.

Consortia and partnerships will be eligible to apply, providing they meet the criteria set out in the council’s third sector definition.

What we will fund

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council welcomes applications that support Play Opportunities that are:

Free of charge – a stand-alone service that is not integrated with paid for services to provide clarity and equity for service users.

Free to come and go - can mean that the appropriate consent arrangements should exist between the provision and parents/ carers to enable the child to make the choice to leave the provision if they wish, with the parents/ carers being informed to collect the child or make other prior arrangements for the child to leave freely.

Free to choose what they do whilst there - can mean that children and young people are meaningfully involved in the ongoing evaluation of the play opportunity, enabling them to share ideas and influence what they do, how they do it, and how this can be changed and improved.

Additionality – we will only fund additionality. Our funding should complement existing provision and promote inclusivity, add value to affecting a change in attitudes towards quality play opportunities by encouraging parents to allow children and young people to take part in open, accessible and free play that provides added benefit that would otherwise not be obtained.

Your project may involve a single activity or a number of related activities over the year and must benefit children and young people who live in Sandwell.

Here are some of the things the grant can be spent on:

Support costs for projects Rental costs of premises Staffing costs Volunteer expenses and training

If you are not sure whether your project is something we can fund, please contact the Voluntary Sector Support Team on 0121 569 3678.

How much will we fund

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Town/Area Based Free Play Provision – term time and holidayA universal open access play service targeting children between the ages 6yrs- 12yrs (16yrs with an additional need) across the geographical area but not necessarily in the same neighbourhood, which will be able to offer:

Free provision and a no charging policy A minimum of 3 x 2.5hr afterschool sessions in term time per week A minimum of 3 x 5hr holiday sessions per week

Maximum grant available per Area: £40,000 per annum

Town/Area Allocation Oldbury £40,000 Rowley £40,000Smethwick £40,000Tipton £40,000Wednesbury £40,000West Bromwich Central £40,000West Bromwich North £40,000

Targeted free play provision – term time and holidayA targeted approach to delivering an open access play offer for children between the ages 6yrs- 12yrs (16yrs with an additional need) in focus areas to address multiple deprivations; population density; affecting change in attitudes.

Additional allocation would be awarded to specific areas to reflect levels of multiple deprivation, population density and change management. These are highlighted as follows:

Maximum allocation available per indicator:

Multiple deprivations: £2,500 per annumPopulation density: £2,500 per annumChange management: £1,571 per annum

(See Appendix A for further information to support your application)

Additional allocation would be awarded based on the top 12 Super Output Areas (SOA) Indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) in the following wards/towns/areas are as follows:

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Soho and Victoria SmethwickSt. Pauls SmethwickSmethwick SmethwickGreets Green and Lyng West Bromwich CentralHateley Heath West Bromwich CentralWest Bromwich Central West Bromwich CentralTipton Green TiptonPrincess End TiptonGreat Bridge TiptonWednesbury South WednesburyFriar Park WednesburyLangley Oldbury

Additional allocation would be awarded based on population density above 12% in the following wards/towns/areas are as follows:

Ward Town/AreaSoho and Victoria SmethwickSmethwick SmethwickSt. Pauls SmethwickGreets Green and Lyng West Bromwich CentralHateley Heath West Bromwich CentralPrincess End TiptonFriar Park Wednesbury

Possible one-off allocation would be awarded per town/area based on the ability to evidence how your project will affect change in attitudes towards children’s play.

Funding period

1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023

Application process

How to apply

Complete the Go Play Sandwell Programme Application form and send it to:

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Karen WilliamsSandwell Metropolitan Borough CouncilVoluntary Sector Support TeamSandwell Council HouseFreeth StreetOldbury, West MidlandsB69 3DE

Tel. 0121 5693678

Email: karen_williams@sandwell.gov.uk

The deadline for applications is Friday 14 February 2020 at 12 noon.

You also need to send all supporting information with your application form: A copy of your current constitution or terms of reference set of rules

or other governing documents. Your latest annual accounts or statement of income and

expenditure. If your organisation has been running for less than two years you should send a twelve months financial projection for the year when you will spend the grant.

A copy of your current child protection policy, which illustrates current Sandwell Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB) and Local Authority referral process and recruitment procedures to include evidencing DBS procedures.

Ofsted Registration Certificate (if legislatively required to hold one) and or evidence to support a proven track record in consistently meeting service industry standards in the given area.

Memorandum of understanding – signed by partners if sharing premises or operating from community bases e.g. libraries, parks and open spaces or other community venues that are not in sole use by the organisation.

A copy of your current equal opportunities policy – Sandwell Council is committed to ensuring all children regardless of race, culture, background, age, sex, religious beliefs, disability, and access to quality play opportunities. The Council opposes and will challenge direct and indirect discrimination on those grounds.

Insurance Certificate – Public Liability, Employers Liability

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If you do not send these documents with your application, we cannot process your application – even if we already hold this information for other grant funding you may have received in the past.

All supporting documents must have the same name as the application organisation. Informal consortia or partnerships will need to nominate a lead body to apply.

If there are any discrepancies, we cannot accept your application. If you are submitting an application by email, please make sure that the

relevant enclosures and additional documents are also sent to us at the same time and within the deadline.

Please do not send your form to us unless you are sure it is complete.

If you have any queries, please contact Karen Williams - Voluntary Sector Support Team on 0121 569 3678 for help.

Assessment of grant applications

We will assess and score your application against a set of local criteria including outcomes. Our local outcomes are the changes that we want to achieve through this grant programme. They are based on SMBC Vision 2030 priorities and gaps in provision.

If you believe that your project will help achieve one or more of the outcomes identified, please tell us how on the application form. Your project has to be able to deliver at least one of these to be considered for funding. However, if we do not have enough funds to support all applications, we will prioritise projects that help to achieve more of the outcomes.

Outcomes

Address the disparity of children’s play provision at a town and neighbourhood level. Ensure that children have the opportunity to participate in a range of quality play

experiences. Promote equality of opportunity for all children in Sandwell including all minority

groups and children in hospital. Develop specific Play provisions for 6-12 years old. Encourage changing attitudes within communities towards children’s right to play.

Assessment Criteria

We will not assess your application unless it is fully completed with all required documents and signatures.

Complete applications will undergo screening to identify:

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If the project is well organised and planned Whether your application supports the outcomes Whether the budget for your project is appropriate and realistic and the project is

an efficient use of funds. Sending us quotes or costings might help us to evaluate.

What your organisation is contributing to the activity. We expect most organisations to contribute to the project. This can be in cash, or ‘in kind’, or both.

As part of the assessment of your application, we may contact you for more information about your organisation or activities.

Previous track record in delivering similar projects. Past performance of previous recipients of this grant programme will be taken

into consideration.

When it has been screened, your application will then be scored against the following criteria:

What efforts your organisation has made to ensure that children and young people have been involved in the applications process (planning).

Your organisation’s annual income. To what degree the application meets the aims of the grant programme. Whether the project is a completely new activity for the applicant organisation. Whether the application meets the local outcomes in the guidance notes.

Element Definition Max score Potential sourceof evidence

Reach How the project will achieve positive changefor children in relation addressing thedisparity of free play provision at a town level

30

Engagement How applicants will work with neighbourhoodschildren and partners to maximise the effectiveness for service users

15

Management andInternal organisationalprocesses

Evidence of well managed and led projects and approaches resulting in positive change

20

Evidence base Strong evidence base and clear methods of Evidencing impact

20

Added value Demonstrate through partnership working transition pathways for service users, toother services through creative use of resources

5

Affecting change How applicants will work with parents and communities to change attitudes towards children’s play

10

The score that your application needs to be funded will vary depending on the amount and quality of applications we receive, and the amount of money we have available at the time.

What happens next?

The recommendations of the assessment panel will be considered by the Cabinet Member for

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Children and the Director of Education and the successful grants awardees will be notified thereafter. The Project start date is 1 April 2020.

Successful applicants will receive a Grant Agreement Offer listing the Grant Conditions. The Grant Agreement Offer will also indicate the required frequency of monitoring information. Monitoring information will be based on the service described in the application.

Funded organisations will be expected, when providing monitoring information, to provide feedback on the new way of working and any suggestions for improvement.

To incorporate any lessons learnt, the Education directorate may suggest future changes to the monitoring information required.

Withdrawing an application

If for any reason you need to withdraw your application, you may do so at any time by sending us a letter signed by the main contact for your application.

Data Protection

The Data Controller for any personal information held for this purpose is Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury B69 3DB, Tel 0121 569 2200.

The Data Protection Officer can be contacted at the above address and through email at dataprotection_officer@sandwell.gov.uk

Any personal information on this form/section where you have given us consent to use, will ONLY be used for the purpose stated and for no other.  For unsuccessful applications, personal data will only be kept for maximum of 12 months. For successful applications, in accordance with financial regulations data will be retained for a maximum of 7 years in line with our Document Retention procedures. Where you have not provided us with consent that information will not be used by the Council.

Any personal information provided under consent will only be used and shared for the purposes outlined on this form, however when a legal duty is placed upon the Council then the Council will consider the sharing of your information in accordance with that duty (e.g. police, etc).

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. To do this, contact Karen Williams at the below address and on telephone 0121 569 3678.

PLEASE RETURN SIGNED FORM AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS BY THE DEADLINE DATE TO:

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KAREN WILLIAMSVOLUNTARY SECTOR SUPPORT TEAM SANDWELL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCILP.O. BOX 2374FREETH STREETOLDBURYWEST MIDLANDSB69 3DE0121 569 3678

Appendix A – Financial Model and Rationale

The total grant allocation for this proposal is £341,060 and will be awarded for 3 years to successful voluntary organisations at which point the grant programme will undergo a review and to determine recommissioning.

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The financial model will allocate a baseline minimum figure on a 7 areas approach totalling: £40,000 per annum.

A premium will be allocated per annum based on areas targeted identified by:

A premium of £2,500 would be awarded based on the top 12 Super Output Areas (SOA) Indices of multiple deprivation (IMD)

A premium of £2,500 would also be awarded based on population density above 12%.

A premium of £1,571 would also be awarded based on the ability of the applicant to evidence how they will affect change in attitudes towards children’s play.

The table identifies the highest population density aligned with the index of multiple deprivations which if included in the grant submission would be awarded premiums.

There is an opportunity for an organisation to apply to deliver in one or more of the 7 areas but in order to access the premiums they would need to be targeting specific areas and this would be detailed in their application – organisations need to be aware that centre based delivery would not take precedence over detached work within towns to encourage applications from organisations who may not have a physical base but good links with partners e.g. local libraries, parks from which they may deliver. 90% of delivery should be community based. There is an expectation delivery will not take place on school sites unless there is community provision. Work with schools is encouraged but they should not form part of the delivery mechanism unless it can be evidenced that the delivery is open access and it is accessible to all children.

Reach targets would be defined by population density and in this instance a reach target of 20% per 5-12yrs population density on an area basis is proposed.

All residents

5-12 year olds

(Number)

5-12 year olds

(Proportion in ward)

Average Score IMD (Population Weighted)

Princes End 13,530 1,749 12.9% 47.712Greets Green and Lyng 13,609 1,790 13.2% 43.946Soho and Victoria 17,245 2,591 15.0% 42.774Friar Park 12,706 1,663 13.1% 41.662

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West Bromwich Central 14,367 1,551 10.8% 41.641Smethwick 15,086 2,118 14.0% 41.236Hateley Heath 15,218 1,921 12.6% 40.133Tipton Green 14,460 1,609 11.1% 38.501St Pauls 15,467 2,130 13.8% 38.248Langley 13,837 1,445 10.4% 37.552Wednesbury South 13,347 1,387 10.4% 36.925Great Bridge 13,495 1,501 11.1% 36.539Wednesbury North 13,260 1,513 11.4% 36.087Rowley 12,093 1,368 11.3% 33.907Cradley Heath and Old Hill 13,980 1,516 10.8% 33.542Oldbury 15,168 1,796 11.8% 31.484Blackheath 12,443 1,218 9.8% 30.819Bristnall 12,315 1,408 11.4% 30.754Charlemont with Grove Vale 12,406 1,104 8.9% 27.636Tividale 12,966 1,518 11.7% 27.226Old Warley 12,299 1,283 10.4% 23.458Great Barr with Yew Tree 12,847 1,312 10.2% 22.865Abbey 12,585 1,332 10.6% 22.663Newton 12,649 1,206 9.5% 21.683Total 327,378 38,029n Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates 2018 and Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019

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