Application Guidance for Planned Intervention Programme 2021

Introduction

Funding is made available each year from The Executive Office (TEO) for the provision of the Planned Intervention Programme, leading to a maximum award of £6 000 to successful groups, subject to the availability of funding.

This funding is aimed at:

Young people in interface areas and areas where there is the potential of heightened social unrest during the summer period, particularly on weekend evenings and during the traditional times of community events.

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Introduction

Applications must demonstrate how they meet the following outcomes:

Outcome 1 – Reduction in number of crime and antisocial behaviour incidents in the areas where the young people live

Outcome 2 – Reduction in the number of young people engaging in risk taking behaviours

Outcome 3 – Increase in the % of young people who think favourably about young people in the other community

Current Context

  • The launch of the Planned Intervention Programme is being undertaken at this time, when the COVID 19 pandemic curtailment of activities is still in place. However, there is the possibility of a return to normal youth provision by the summer. As a result, and to provide the greatest measure of flexibility, the opportunity this year mirrors some of the requirements specified previously but allows for changes to occur as government restrictions may ease.
  • Included in this guidance, is recognition of the current situation, with additional clarity and assurance on the application progress.

Programmes should only be delivered in line with government guidelines in relation to COVID-19 and social distancing. A range of up to date advice can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk. However, applications may propose residential and educational visits in their application, with a clear proviso that alternative arrangements for programme content may need to evolve as the situation changes.

  • Groups are therefore encouraged to be creative and innovative in their approach and to consider opportunities that may be at hand in the local area to minimise transport, and contact with larger groups. Many groups have already moved across to more regular use of online platforms to stay connected with their young people, and may wish to use a blended approach at this time.
  • Groups are encouraged to use the partnerships, skills, strengths and own experience to develop a programme that best suits the needs of their community/group and young people, in the current context.
  • It is expected that groups will begin by delivering their programmes online only, to very small groups of young people, before deciding, if possible, to move to face to face work. If necessary, the entire programme can be delivered remotely, with government guidelines in relation to social distancing or other constraints being followed, if undertaking face to face work.
  • A number of initiatives have been introduced to make this easier for groups and to ensure maximum achievement of the outcomes. These are:

1. Opportunity to include an additional 12 hours of paid staff time to undertake detached youth work as part of the recruitment process and ensure the young people who will benefit most from the programme are targeted.

2. Opportunity to use funding to develop and implement a social action project as a key programme delivery mechanism, to improve community relations between young people and their community and promote volunteering as a legacy of the programme.

3. To support groups over this period of the Covid 19 Pandemic, a group size must be no less than 3 and no more than 10 to ensure maximum engagement and impact.

Applying to the Planned Intervention Programme

  • It is important to remember that an application is assessed on the information provided. If information is not included, it will not be deduced or considered by the assessors.
  • All questions have a maximum number of words that can be used, and responses over the word count will not be considered
  • Responses should be well structured and clearly linked to the question. It is recommended that bullet points and headings are used if possible.
  • The Funding Portal has been carefully designed to make the application process as easy and straightforward as possible.
  • Each grant fund is limited. Even if an application scores highly, funding cannot be guaranteed.
  • Programmes should deliver age-appropriate activities.
  • Applications may ONLY be made online via the Education Authority Youth Service Funding Portal at www.eani.smapply.org. No applications will be considered if they are received after the closing date and time.
  • You may complete multiple applications. However, each programme will be assessed on its own merit and should engage different participants. Please note that each successful application requires an individual evaluation form and finances should be arranged accordingly.

I now want to help the younger lads in the estate, just to show them that it doesn’t have to be the way of getting into bother all they time just to be a big man. It’s better to make something of yourself and help people instead of annoying them all the time.

PI 2020 Participant

Leafair Community Association

Eligibility Criteria

Applications must meet the essential criteria to be admitted to the assessment process.

Essential Criteria:

1. Applicant groups must be registered with the Education Authority (EA) and demonstrate a good track record in delivering projects, completing financial monitoring, and submitting returns by set deadlines.

2. Applications will only be considered from the voluntary and community sector.

3. Applications to be submitted no later than 4.00 pm on Friday, 30th April 2021.

4. Programmes should be delivered during the period 1 June 2021 to 30 September 2021

5. The programme must specifically target young people aged 10 – 25 years old and must divert young people away from becoming involved in sectarian activities, civil disorder or other types of anti-social behaviour. Evidence shows it is mainly young men aged 14-18 who this programme should be targeting, applicants must provide a rationale for working with a different age group or gender

6. The programme must take place in an interface area or in an area where there is the potential for severely heightened unrest.

7. Group size must be between 3 and 10 young people

Child Protection & Safeguarding

Guidance on the changes to pre-employment checking and safer recruitment practices for employers in voluntary units and schools was published by the Department of Education on 10th January 2014, entitled “Disclosure and Barring Arrangements: vetting requirements for those working or providing a service in youth organisations.”

The document is available at www.deni.gov.uk

Assessment process

Demand for funding will be competitive and is likely to exceed available resources. Assessment panels will scrutinise every application against the matrix to ensure that the process is fair. Even well designed and worthwhile proposals may be unsuccessful in their application for funds if competing proposals are judged superior, or considered to have a higher priority. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.

1. Applications will be checked to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Only eligible applications will be provided to the assessment panels for scoring against the specific criteria of the grant applied for.

3. Based on the confirmed scores, and availability of budget, an offer of funding will be made.

Applicants should note the scoring system outlined in the matrix. (Appendix 1) It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that all relevant information is included within the application. Assessments will be carried out by a panel using a scoring matrix, with a minimum threshold, above which applications are deemed successful. Applications will be ranked and those that score highest will receive available funds.

A quality assurance process facilitates consistent marking and ensures applicants meet the essential criteria, throughout the assessment process.

The decision of the panels is final but feedback may be given to unsuccessful groups on request through plannedintervention@eani.org.uk

Conditions attached to funding

  • Full details of funding and financial claim conditions will be provided in the Letter of Offer.
  • Applicants must be in a position to comply with all the conditions stated in the Letter of Offer.
  • Applicants must comply with the expenditure, receipting, evaluation and monitoring conditions stated in the Letter of Offer. This will include the completion of questionnaires used to monitor and evaluate project outcomes.
  • Payments to contracted delivery partners will be on the basis of fully receipted claims submitted in line with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Offer. Receipts will be subject to verification checks.

Data sharing: for the purposes of maximising complementarity, minimising the risk of duplication, and assessing the impact of funding in relation to addressing good relations need, EA and TEO, reserves the right to share details of the Financial Assistance, the programme action plan, progress reports.

Monitoring & Evaluation

As groups are receiving public funding, they must be accountable for what they do with this money. Successful projects will be monitored and evaluated. Arrangements for this will be agreed with organisations, but may include:

• Submission of project participants’ postcodes for statistical analysis purposes.

Completion of evaluation forms. The evaluation will address the following through the successful completion of the outcomes of the Scheme:

– The impact of the programme on the community.

– Engagement of the programme participants.

– Project benefits.

– Added value.

Monitoring visits from members of EA T:BUC team, with a focus on quality assurance and visits from either TEO or Department of Education (DE) Officials may be requested. This year visits are dependent on meeting government guidelines in relation to Covid 19 pandemic.

Ensuring all participants complete questionnaires as detailed in letter of offer

Fully completing financial expenditure forms with relevant original copies of bank statement/ invoices/receipts

Ensuring final reporting is within agreed timeframe of 6 weeks after the end of the programme. This should be no later than the 19 November 2021 for all successful groups.

If difficulties arise which may prevent objectives being met, these should be brought to the attention of EA immediately. Failure to do so may lead to the withdrawal of funding. Failure to comply with conditions of funding will affect any further funds from EA and groups could be asked to repay funds.

Funding

  • Funding will be time limited and will be provided for 2021 only. All funding must be spent, and the projects fully delivered by 30 September 2021.
  • Projects must deliver within the 3-month period and no funding may be used for delivery beyond 30th September 2021.
  • Project funding is available to enable groups to develop and deliver projects in line with the funding criteria outlined in the Guidance. Projects should be clearly defined and have clear outcomes.
  • Applications that are not complete, or do not provide a detailed project budget are also not eligible. All costs provided should be directly associated with delivery as only costs proportional to a project will be considered. This should be evidenced within the application submitted.
  • Funding will be allocated in accordance with Education Authority policies and financial procedures. Grant approvals will be influenced by the overall funding available.

A Letter of Offer will be provided and funding is released when this is signed and returned. Applicants must abide within the regulations pertaining to allocation of funding to various elements of the programme e.g. staffing

NB: The Education Authority reserves the right to withhold any or all of the payments and/or require the applicant to repay part or all of the funding if, in the opinion of the Authority, there is a substantial or material change in the nature, scale or timing of the project, or if the funding is used for purposes other than those specified in the Letter of Offer

Applicants must show that all costs are reasonable and necessary to complete

Eligible Costs

In order to support groups at the time of the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent return to more normal conditions, changes to the budget outline for groups have been made. There are now two categories – staffing and programme costs as detailed below.

Staffing – This relates to Part-time Youth Leadership (in accordance with established ratios, regulations and procedures)

Groups may now claim staffing time for detached youth work of up to 12 hours per group during the month of June to support recruitment of young people to the programme.

Rates of pay

Part-time youth leadership grant-aid is benchmarked at Youth Service rates, which relate to agreed generic job descriptions and current rates of pay. These are the maximum rates which EA will grant-aid. Applicants will not be reimbursed for payment to employees above these rates.

The employer will be responsible for the balance of the employee’s fee, including tax and National Insurance, should the employer agree a higher fee.

The table below details the maximum rates of pay that will be applicable to part-time staff from 1 April 2021.

Part-time Youth Leadership Rates 10

Part-time youth leadership will be grant-aided at Youth Service rates related to agreed generic job descriptions and current rates of pay, according to JNC National Agreement.

N.B. Applicants will not be reimbursed for payment to employees above these rates.

Title Pay Point Current Pay Scale
Assistant Youth Support Worker (Pts 2 – 4)

2
3
4

£8.4208
£8.7457
£9.0196

Youth Support Worker (Pts 5-7)

5
6
7

£9.3179
£9.5922
£9.9279

Youth Support Worker-in-Charge (Pts 8 – 13)

8
9
10
11
12
13

£10.2603
£10.6838
£11.0151
£11.5505
£12.0742
£12.6144

The amount of National Insurance to be paid in respect of all staff can be calculated using National Insurance Tables, available from HM Revenue & Customs, www.hmrc.gov.uk or use can be made of the HMRC National Insurance Contributions Calculator http://nicecalculator.hmrc.gov.uk/

Applicants are further advised that approved rates of pay are shown in the table above. The Education Authority will pay only these rates, commencing at the lowest point unless the employee is already in post and receiving payment from the EA for the same type of work. The employer will be responsible for the balance of the employee’s fee, including tax and National Insurance, should the employer agree a higher fee.

Conditions Relating to Assistance with Leadership Costs

Payroll Responsibility

The payroll responsibility for all employees of the applicant organisation will lie with the employer i.e. Voluntary Management Committee (if employed in the voluntary sector), this will include responsibility for Employers’ National Insurance Contributions and Pension Contribution.

Part-time Youth Leadership

Part-time leaders may be employed to deliver, or assist in the delivery of the project. They may be employed under three job descriptions Assistant Youth Support Worker, Youth Support Worker and Youth Support Worker-in-Charge

Applicants are further advised that approved rates of pay are shown in the table above. The Education Authority will pay only these rates, commencing at the lowest point unless the employee is already in post and receiving payment from the EA for the same type of work. 11

The employer will be responsible for the balance of the employee’s fee, including tax and National Insurance, should the employer agree a higher fee.

Employment of Sessional Tutors and Facilitators

Specialists will:

be required to provide documentary proof of professional qualifications

▪ deliver programmes linked to youth work curriculum

be grant aided to a maximum of £16.46 per hour (equivalent to Senior Youth Worker Specialist JNC Point 22)

be required to provide written approval from the Inland Revenue, granting self-employment status for the specific employment with the applicant.

Note: The matter of whether an individual is an employee or self-employed is one which affects both income tax and National Insurance. People who have been engaged to perform a specific piece/s of work in a youth work programme must obtain and provide a written approval from the Inland Revenue, granting self-employment status for the particular employment.

Examples of such work would include the provision of lessons on traditional music or dancing, storytelling, coaching sports or the provision of IT advice and support.

The fact that the individual considers him/herself ‘self-employed’, and employs the services of an Accountant, does not exempt him/her from the requirement to have written approval from HMRC.

Therefore, the EA will not make a payment or reimburse projects for such services without the approval document from HMRC.

Programme Costs

This year groups may claim a maximum of £200 per young person for programme costs. Groups will not be expected, at application stage, to detail the plan for spend, to allow flexibility in meeting young people’s needs and ensuring government guidelines on Covid 19 are followed at all times, and to allow programme delivery to be appropriate to these at the time.

Successful applicants will be expected to complete an income expenditure as part of their evaluation, to evidence this spend.

Ineligible Costs the Scheme will not pay for:

    • Bursaries or requests from individuals
    • Services for which a proper invoice/receipt is not issued
    • Hire of own premises
    • Tutor fees above the rates of pay overleaf
    • Expenditure over and above the limits in the Letter of Offer without prior written approval

Youth Service Policy on ‘The Prevention and Detection of Fraud’

    • The Youth Service operates a Zero Tolerance Policy in respect of Fraud and to this end:
    • All expenditure must be specific to the terms and conditions of this designated programme.
    • Bone-fide original receipts and evaluations must be returned to the specified office on or before the stipulated date.
    • Failure to submit the required receipts and evaluation will result in a referral of the matter to the Internal Audit Department for investigation.
    • Should there be any evidence of ‘Fraud’, Internal Audit may be obligated to report the matter to the PSNI.

Application Form at a Glance

Section 1 - Contact Details

This section relates to the main contact details of the lead applicant. Complete each row. It is very important to know where the participants are from, therefore select a district council area

Section 2 - Key Statistics

Complete each row and ensure to name the programme, and that the dates fall within essential criteria of scheme. Any key partnerships in delivery must have details provided and it’s important to know key agencies who may make referrals. 

Any letter of support will be requested from successful applicants after the assessment process. In the numbers of young people involved please ensure the following is detailed; Age range, Gender and Numbers of leaders involved. 

GROUP SIZE 

Applicants are expected to be working with smaller, more targeted groups of young people with a group size a maximum of 10. This is a departure from previous years. Relationship building is key to success, therefore smaller groups will, potentially, achieve better outcomes. This ensures applicants can deliver more easily within Covid 19 restrictions, and in particular meet social distancing requirements or provide flexibility to programme delivery. A minimum of 3 young people has been identified as the smallest group that can be operational.

Section 3 - Area Classification

Applicants will be expected to provide statistical information in this section. Support and evidence to help demonstrate need is available from the following organisations (this is not an exhaustive list):

– PSNI (Local neighbourhood teams or though PSNI website)

– Local PCSPs

– Good Relations Officers in your local District Council Areas

– NISRA

– Local Senior Youth Officers in the Education Authority

– Community Relations Council

– Assessments of need

Section 4 - Recruitment

Applicants must demonstrate how they are targeting this programme to ensure young people most at risk will be involved. You must provide a profile of the young people involved in the programme. Outcomes and impact can only be assessed if the right participants are involved in the project. Applicants are directed to target recruitment at the following young people:

– Known to police

– At risk of or have been involved in crime and antisocial behaviour

– Have been referred via an agency such as Youth Justice, Probation, PSNI etc.

– Not currently involved in other youth work opportunities in the group/area

The profile of young people participating will be quality assured through monitoring visits.

Section 5 - Programme Outcomes

Groups must clearly demonstrate how the programme will meet each of the outcomes of the programme. At application stage we are not requesting a specific programme to meet the needs of working within Covid 19 pandemic- you must however ensure you do outline how you intend to meet the outcomes.

• Outcome 1: How will programme delivery will ensure a reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour incidents? Make specific reference to the programme design, how often will they meet/duration/timings and what is the expected impact? How will applicants evidence this?

• Outcome 2: How will programme delivery ensure a reduction in the number of young people engaging in risk taking behaviours? Please demonstrate what risk taking behaviours the young people are involved in and how these have been assessed and evidenced? How then, how your intended programme will help address this outcome?

• Outcome 3: Increase the % of young people who think favourable about young people in the other community. This can be demonstrated by their ability to talk openly with others about their sense of identity, culture and traditions. Applicants must highlight how, through this programme, they will encourage young people to develop most positive attitudes to others.

Social action proposal

Groups may identify a social action programme to be undertaken as part of the programme delivery and may utilise some of the funding to meet the costs of this programme. Note this is not compulsory for applicants.

Legacy of the programme

After this programme completes, what is the exit strategy for the young people? Will they be signposted to other opportunities and what are these? Social action programmes are encouraged. Young people from Planned Intervention are encouraged to progress to T:BUC Camps or another good relations programme.

Section 6 - Programme Costs

Provide a breakdown of costs, under the two set headings only; staffing and programme costs. Further guidance is available on pages 8-11 of this document

Please note group sizes must now be smaller to meet essential criteria and therefore you must clearly demonstrate value for money in your budget request for very small groups.

Section 7 - Declaration

Applicants must agree to all requirements before submitting their application.

Applicants may type in the signature, however, applicants who are successful, will need to follow up with original signatures.

Support with Applications

T:BUC staff team members are available to support writing of applications or with any general issues or queries.

They may be contacted through email or phone at the numbers below between 9.00 and 16.00hrs, Monday – Friday.

If young people are from:

Application Support Contact Council Areas Contact Information
Michelle Friel

Mid and East Antrim
Causeway Coast & Glens
Antrim &Newtownabbey
Derry & Strabane

Stuart Kennedy

Belfast City
Ards and North Down
Lisburn & Castlereagh
Newry, Mourne & Down

Alan McCann

Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon
Mid Ulster
Fermanagh and Omagh

Groups are encouraged to attend workshops conducted through Zoom by T:BUC staff team, to develop supportive discussion forums with other groups who also plan to apply to the scheme, answer queries and understand the requirements of the scheme. 

Attendance at workshops can be registered through Eventbrite at www.eafunding.eventbrite.co.uk

Date Time
Tuesday 20th April 2021
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Tuesday 27th April 2021
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Wednesday 28th April 2021
2.30pm – 3.30pm

Support during this period can also be sought from:

Northern Ireland Community Relations Council. The main office number is 02890 27500 and this is their preferred method of contact during the Covid 19 pandemic. Email is also active through info@nicrc.gov.uk

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

4pm on Friday 30th April 2021

Applications can only be made by registering an account on the Education Authority Youth Service Funding Portal at www.eanifunding.org.uk/plannedintervention

If your organisation already accesses funding from the Education Authority Youth Service, you should use those account details to log in to the Funding Portal and apply for Planned Intervention funding.

If this is not the case, your organisation must register for an account at the same website URL and activate your account. Please note that there may be a delay between registering an account and receiving an activation email that allows you to commence an application. This will not be accepted as a valid excuse for late applications.

Any queries with regards to the programme or the application process can be made via email to plannedintervention@eani.org.uk

Please note that due to Covid 19 restrictions, many of the staff are working from home.