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Adult and Community Learning Service (ACLS) Grants


The Adult and Community Learning Service (ACLS) Grants are administered in Nottinghamshire by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with the Skills Funding Agency. Funding is intended to deliver learning opportunities to adults who are residents of Nottinghamshire. Any community or voluntary organisation, training provider, primary care trust, school, sure start children's centre or Nottinghamshire local or district authority may apply if they can deliver learning which matches the ACLS priorities, targets communities and groups and who are committed to the delivery of quality learning.



Latest Information

The closing dates for 2010-11 are:



  • 17 September 2010

  • 22 October 2010

  • 19 November 2010

  • 03 December 2010



Panel meetings are held a week after the closing dates.

Key Criteria

Applications can be made for projects taking place throughout Nottinghamshire.

Priorities and Targets

The types of learning ACLS will fund for the year 1 August 2010 – 31 July 2011 are:



  • Learning that supports those with learning difficulties and disabilities to improve their quality of life

  • Learning that supports "healthy living"

  • Learning that supports the extended services agenda

  • Other learning that responds to local, identified need



The target groups are those who:



  • Have low qualifications and/or skills levels

  • Are aged 55 years and older

  • Are from an ethnic minority background

  • Are socially excluded in areas of greatest social and economic disadvantage

  • Have a learning difficulty or disability (including those with mental health difficulties)

  • Are ex-offenders



Other criteria:



  • Funding is for adult learners aged 19 and over, who are not being funded for the same activity by another source

  • Projects must be completed by 31 July 2011

  • All the work funded must relate to engaging learners and producing learning outcomes

  • Activities should support the delivery of the curriculum strategy

  • All activity must comply with ACLS systems and procedures

  • Applicants must be able to meet the ACLS reporting and quality requirements, including course documentation, recording learner enrolment and attendance and learning outcomes

  • Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities, including compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination, SENDA and Race Relations (Amendment) Acts, and they should have a written Equal Opportunities Policy

  • Applicants must be able to satisfy insurance and health and safety requirements and show how they will comply with standards for learners. Applicants will need effective insurance arrangements to cover all liabilities and cover in respect of claims for personal injury or death needs to be a minimum of £5 million

  • Voluntary and community organisations applying must possess a constitution, management committee and bank account



Eligible Expenditure

Activities eligible for funding include:



  • Development costs/setting up the project

  • Teaching costs

  • Venue hire

  • Childcare costs

  • Registration/exam costs

  • Training materials

  • Administration costs



Restrictions

Funding cannot be used for:



  • Core running costs of an organisation

  • Matched funding to existing LSC contracts

  • Activity which does not contribute to the overall aims of ACLS

  • Training for staff employed by the applicant

  • Capital items, such as ICT equipment



Payment Procedure

Payment is normally made at the end of the course and cannot be processed by ACLS until all paperwork, claim forms and the tutor end of course report/evaluation form are completed and submitted. It normally takes 30 days to process the claim.



Application Procedure

Application forms and other relevant documents can be downloaded from the Nottinghamshire County Council Adult and Community Learning Service website.

Contact the Adult and Community Learning Service for further information.

For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:

Adult and Community Learning Service, Nottinghamshire County Council, Third Floor, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

Telephone:0115 977 2185