Urgent Capital Support
What is Urgent Capital Support?
What the Funding is For:
Urgent Capital Support is for urgent building condition issues that create a serious risk to health and safety, or could result in the closure of all or a significant part of a school. It is intended for situations that cannot wait for the next suitable CIF round and where immediate capital support is needed to keep the school operating safely. DfE guidance describes UCS as part of CIF and specifically for urgent condition issues that pose the threat of immediate school closure.
Am I Eligible for Funding:
You may be eligible to apply for Urgent Capital Support if you are:
An academy or academy trust.
A Voluntary Aided school.
A sixth-form college.
Not receiving School Condition Allocation funding.
Facing an urgent building condition issue that puts pupils or staff at risk.
At risk of having to close all, or a significant part, of the school if the issue is not addressed.
Unable to wait for the next suitable CIF or capital funding round.
When Should I Apply?
Urgent Capital Support can be applied for throughout the year, but only where the issue is genuinely urgent and meets the Department for Education’s criteria. Schools should seek support as soon as a serious condition issue is identified, particularly where there is a risk of closure, safeguarding concerns or immediate health and safety implications.
Early advice can help establish whether UCS is the right route and ensure the application is supported by clear evidence, photographs, surveys and cost information. DfE’s guidance states UCS is for eligible organisations facing urgent condition issues, rather than routine or planned maintenance.
What Evidence Will I Need?
Urgent Capital Support applications rely heavily on evidence that the issue is genuinely urgent and cannot wait for the next suitable funding round. The evidence needs to clearly show the risk to pupils, staff or the operation of the school, and explain why immediate support is required. We will advise on the most suitable evidence for your project, but common examples include:
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Evidence of why the issues cannot wait for CIF
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Emergency Repair Information
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Emergency Closure / Risk Of Closure Information
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Evidence of Health & Safety Risk
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Incident Reports
We will manage the Urgent Capital Support application process, preparing the application form, finance template and supporting evidence required for submission. Once we have received your approval, we can submit the documents on your behalf or provide a complete submission pack for your team to send directly.
We will work with you to demonstrate the urgency of the condition issue, including the risk to pupils, staff or the continued operation of the school. Where required, we will visit site, take photographs, arrange surveys or professional reports, obtain contractor quotations and prepare the supporting narrative needed to explain why the issue cannot wait for the next suitable funding round.
What We Provide You With
Documents Created for Submission
Application Form
Finance Template
Independent Condition Report
Minimum of three Quotes
Other Supporting Documents Depending on Project
Business Case
Financial Evidence
Asset / Safety Documentation
Board / Trustee Approval
Not Suitable for Your Project?
That’s okay, one of our other funding bid’s might be more suited to your project. Check them out below:
Condition Improvement
Fund
CIF provides annual capital funding to help eligible schools and sixth-form colleges address condition needs, improve building safety and keep facilities compliant and fit for purpose. It is commonly used for projects such as roofing, heating, safeguarding, compliance and essential building fabric works.
School Rebuilding
Programme
The School Rebuilding Programme supports major rebuilding or refurbishment projects for schools and sixth-form colleges with buildings in very poor condition, where significant long-term investment is required. It is focused on sites where rebuilding or major refurbishment is likely to be the most appropriate solution.
Salix
Salix funding supports public-sector organisations with decarbonisation projects, including low-carbon heating and energy-efficiency improvements that help reduce carbon emissions across their estate. It is particularly suited to projects replacing end-of-life fossil-fuel heating systems with more sustainable alternatives.
Post-16 Capacity Fund
Post-16 Capacity Funding supports eligible education providers to create additional space for 16 to 19 learners where there is expected demographic growth and existing capacity is not sufficient. It can help fund new or improved teaching spaces, specialist facilities and wider estate changes needed to accommodate additional students.