Early Help Community Capacity Grant FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers about Early Help Community Capacity Grants

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Early Help Community Capacity Grant. Whether you're a community group, voluntary organisation, or local partner interested in applying, you'll find helpful information about eligibility, the application process, funding criteria, and support available. Our goal is to make it easier for you to understand how the grant works and how it can help strengthen Early Help services on the Island.

Unfortunately, no. We are only able to provide funding for new groups, clubs or activities to be set up, funding is paid quarterly throughout the year in arrears. With work being considered throughout to make the group, club or activity sustainable after the funding finishes.

You can apply for some of the funding to be paid as capital (upfront) costings for equipment, However the majority of the funding must be for the group, club or activity to take place and funds will be released in four quarterly payments in arrears. (Please make sure you read the Guidance as to what can and cannot be purchased with upfront payments)

As long as the group, club or activity is open to the wider community not just children that attend the setting and that the activity takes place out of school hours. Please take into consideration timings of the group, club or activity to allow people travel time to attend.

No, payments will be made on a quarterly basis released in arrears in four stages over the year.

The funding is designed to supply funding through a full year, through four quarterly payments and also to continue after the funding ends e.g. be sustainable. However we would consider sessions that run in school holiday only payments would remain as quarterly payments.

The payment quarters will be set out within the agreement, to which a quarterly report will need to be submitted at the end of each quarter (template provided to you upon you being awarded funding). This will be approved by the Project Officer and the Administrator will advise you when you can then submit your invoice to the revenue team for processing. It can take up to 30 working days from receipt of your invoice to receive payment.

Yes, the grant covers ages from 0-19, or up to 25 with Special Education Needs and Disabilities.

Once the agreement has been signed and you have received confirmation that the purchaser order has been set up then you can purchase any equipment needed and that was agreed from the application. You will be required to send us evidence of these purchases.

As long as you can provide a receipt/invoice within the set guidelines specified in the agreement you can purchase these from anywhere e.g, Charity shops, local businesses (please make sure you adhere to council guidelines with conflict of interest when purchasing goods)

Young Carers do not need to be registered with Barnardo’s to be eligible to attend groups, clubs or activities. However they must be known by their educational setting as a Young Carer.

No groups, clubs or activities must take place out of school hours.