Skills for Londoners Community Outreach programme

Q1. Could you please send us further information about eligible organisations? We are a private limited company and wondering whether we can apply?  

If we cannot apply, what are the criteria for CIC companies? Can they be recently established? What are the documentation requirements for new established firms? 

Please can you outline the eligibility requirements and/or documentations. Are there Q&A notes from the previous round?

A: You can find out about eligibility by reading section 8, page 10 of the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme prospectus 2024-25.

You can find the due diligence documents you need in the same prospectus - section 9, page 11.  

This page's Q&A section has sample questions and answers from the previous round, and details when we'll publish this funding round's Q&As. 

Q2. Thank you for your email sharing the information for the 2024-25 round of the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme. Regarding the SfL Community Outreach Programme grant, can we apply as a private ltd company?  

A: Please see Q1's response.  

Q3. I would like to talk through what we can offer and whether you could advise us to set up new projects for those communities who desperately need to improve their English communication and employability skills. 

A: To ensure we maintain transparency when commissioning the 2024-25 Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme, we cannot discuss or advise on individual offers or projects.  

We will host various market-warming events you can attend, and will list them on this page under 'Join a session to learn more'.  

You can find further organisation eligibility, target group, project activity and programme requirement information in the prospectus.

Q4. Will the webinar be recorded or is there written guidance? I can't make the 28 May at 12:30pm. 

A: We will share and publish 28 May webinar presentation slides on this webpage. All potential bidders should check updates under 'Join a session to learn more'. We will also add future sessions. 

Further programme guidance is in the prospectus, within this page's accordion sections.

Published on 22 May 2024
 

Q5. We have received funding from the previous Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme round and we run programmes in two London Boroughs. We are keen to submit an application for the next round of funding and wondered whether it would be possible to have a meeting to discuss? 

A: Please see response to Q3.

Q6. Please advise if the grant funding associated with the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme is open to local authorities?

A: The turnover threshold for eligible organisations must be less than £500,000 per annum and therefore Local Authorities and larger organisations may struggle to meet the organisational requirements. Local authorities and larger organisations are encouraged to support eligible bidding organisations through support on delivering the project.

Published on 29 May 2024
 

Q7. We are a private limited company (income less than £100k per year). Are we eligible for the London Multiply Programme, where it offers free training to support Londoners to get numeracy, confidence and skills to manage everyday living at work and home?

From the eligibility criteria, we are meeting 3rd (have an income under £500,000) and 4th (hold a UK bank account) so just want to ask if our organisation (private limited company) is eligible to apply?

A: Please note, funding available from this opportunity is specifically for delivering the objectives of the SfL Community Outreach Programme as set out in the Prospectus. This funding is not available to deliver the London Multiply Programme.

Private limited companies are not eligible to apply for this funding, all Organisation Eligibility criteria outlined within the Prospectus must be met as a whole, Section 8, page 10 of the Prospectus, provides more information on Organisation Eligibility. Further information on the documents required for Due Diligence checks can be found in Section 9, page 11 of the Prospectus.

It is recommended that you review other questions and answers within this section of the webpage.

Q8. Please confirm the word or character count for each of the application question answers?  I have looked on the OPS system, but I cannot find it.

A: There is a 4000-character limit for each scored question within the application.

Q9: We have held conversations with a small, local private sector organisation in relation to the specialist provision that they could offer our target group.

My question is, are they able to collaborate with us on our application or is the eligibility limited to not-for-profit organisations?

A: There are no restrictions on who the Community Organisation can collaborate with, but the funding will be solely awarded to organisations that meet the organisation eligibility. Please also see response to Q1 and Q7.

Q10: Please may we seek clarification on row 6,7 and 9 in the calculator?

Is row 7 a subset of row 6? Or is row 7 in addition to row 6? E.g., I have 10 people in row 6 and five in row 7 - is the total number of people referred 10 or 15.

A: In the 'Profile Calculator' row 6 (Target number of participants: Referred into Adult Education) is the total number of referrals made into Adult Education inclusive of those specified in row 7 (Target number of participants: Referred to a numeracy course (including the London Multiply programme)**this figure is inclusive of the number of referrals into Adult Education).

In relation to the example provided, if you have 10 in row 6 and have indicated 5 in row 7, this totals 10.

Q11: Is it possible to apply to the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme as a new organisation (operating for less than a year)?

A: In order to be considered for a grant, successful organisations will need to provide:

• An annual account or report for last year; and
• Evidence of public liability and employer’s liability insurance; and
• Current bank statements, confirming:
  • Registered company/charity name
  • Registered address
  • Company/charity registration number
  • VAT registration number

Further information on the Due Diligence checks can be found in section 9 of the Prospectus.

Published on 05 June 2024
 

Q12. The Prospectus mentions that the project should engage adults to attend ‘adult skills’, but it also talks about getting adults to complete numeracy courses.  Can you tell me if it is both or is it predominately numeracy?

A: Projects should engage participants to support them into adult skills provision and numeracy courses where relevant dependent on the need of the individual. This programme does have a specific focus on raising awareness of numeracy skills and provision, but it does not need to solely focus on referrals into numeracy courses.

Q13. Does your profile calculator want the figures for referrals to adult education to be included in the figure for referrals to a numeracy course? That would mean if 100 people are referred to adult education and 50 of them are referred to numeracy, the numeracy figure would read 150 - shouldn't it be the other way round?

A: Please see response to Q10.

Q14. Reading through the Delivery Handbook, I note that the 24-25 programme 'has a specific focus on raising awareness of numeracy skills and provision, such as the London Multiply programme.'

Can you please clarify if this means you will only be considering applications that specifically focus on numeracy skills, and applicant organisations focused on other forms of skills development should not apply to this year's programme? We are focused on Green Vocational Skills development for example.

A: No. We will consider all applications as we recognise that the needs of Londoners vary. Applicants should provide a clear rationale for the delivery of the project and how it meets the local need.  However, applicants should note there is an emphasis on numeracy due to the skills gap in this area and that numeracy is a key element of this programme, therefore a % of your referrals should be into numeracy courses.

Q15. We operate in three different boroughs; can we apply to deliver in all of the 3 boroughs by completing three application forms, one for each borough?

A: No, only one application per organisation will be accepted. However, Projects can operate in a single borough, across multiple boroughs, or be pan-London.

Q.16. I am struggling to register for access to the OPS system to make an application for programme?

A. To apply for funding for the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme 2024-25, applications need to be submitted via the OPS portal.

Further OPS guidance is available on the webpage under the 'How to apply' accordion, along with the link to request access.

All applicants will need to request access to the portal and create a 'Skills profile'.

The guidance outlines 4 options that can be followed dependant on individual organisation's status.

The options are as follows:

1. Requesting access as a new user to an organisation already on GLA -OPS
2. Requesting access as a new user with an organisation not on GLA-OPS
3. Requesting access as an existing user with an organisation on GLA-OPS
4. Requesting access as an existing user with an organisation not on GLA-OPS

Dependant on which one you select, you will then need to follow the corresponding steps.

For example: if you need to follow option 4, you should follow the steps outlined in section 4 starting on page 6.

Once all steps in option 4 have been completed and you have clicked 'request new profile' a member of the OPS team will approve your access request.

The GLA will look to approve access requests as quickly as possible however this can take up to 1 working day to approve.

Once access has been granted, the OPS guidance should be referred to once again for further guidance on how to complete the application.

Published on 12 June 2024
 

Q17. We would like to apply for the grant with the deadline 21st of June but were unable to attend the seminar. Are we able to still apply for this?

A: Organisations can apply for the opportunity regardless of whether they attended a Market Warming session or not.

Potential applicants can find the slides, questions and answers from the Market Warming sessions on our website here under 'join a session and find out more'.

Q18. I want to offer adult sewing class for beginners and want to know if this would fall under this category?

A: Given how the programme has been designed, community organisations are able to work with different target cohorts in varying ways for engagement activities.

The funding cannot be used to deliver courses directly however can be used to fund the engagement activities with participants who need support to accessing adult learning opportunities.

Applicants will have the opportunity to provide a rationale for their chosen target group(s) and their chosen engagement activities within the application form. 

Q19. We were unable to attend the virtual meeting on 28th May and would like to express our interest in making an application for above. Can you please let us know your availability for this week, as we have some questions and would welcome a conversation with yourself?

A: To ensure that the GLA maintains a transparent approach to commissioning the new Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme 2024-25, we will be unable to discuss or advise on individual offers and projects.

Further information on organisation eligibility, target groups, project activities and programme requirements can be found within the Prospectus, published on the webpage.

Potential applicants are able to find the slides and questions and answers from the Market Warming sessions on our website here under 'join a session and find out more'.

Q20. Is it intentional that an applicant’s Insurance documents be uploaded twice (Block 4 and Block 6)?

Regarding the other documents which are marked as Optional in Block 6, will applicants be disadvantaged if they don’t submit these documents now?

Can you clarify what you mean by “Health & Safety Risk Assessments” and “Safeguarding Assessments” and how they differ from an organisation’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding Policy respectively?    

A: Block 6 does not require the insurance documents to be uploaded but does require organisations to confirm they have insurance policies in place. Where organisations do not have the policies in place outlined in block 6, this will be clarified at the due diligence check stage. Where policies are combined, e.g., Health and safety and safeguarding, organisations should tick the policies they have in place, and these will be clarified at the due diligence check stage of the process.

Q21. Sorry we could not attend the webinar for the above grant. Is there a recording?

A: The recording from the session is unable to be shared with attendees due to restrictions around consent and permissions.

The slides from the webinar held on 28 May 2024 and 11 June 2024 are now available on our website, under 'join a session'. 

Q22. Please can you provide more information on which adult education centres working with your programme have interpreter provision and for which courses, and if they are able to provide this support for other courses that are in demand by the deaf community? 

Please could you also provide information of those centres who do not currently offer this type of support, would be able to do so in the future?

For Adult Education centres to be able to provide this support is key to the success of this project so would you be able to advise on the above and give me some information about this?

A: The Mayor is currently funding anyone who is Deaf and would benefit from learning BSL to take a course up to level 2. There are several GLA funded providers who provide BSL courses, that are likely to also have interpreter facilities.

You can find adult learning providers who are providing BSL courses using our interactive Skills Provider Map.

Other providers will have access to learner support funding, which they can use to arrange interpreters, but we do not have live data on which institutions are using it for this purpose.

Q23. Can I call you to discuss about the budget we have enclosed with our application before the deadline? If I can, can you provide me with a number to call you?

A: To ensure that the GLA maintains a transparent approach to commissioning the new Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme 2024-25, we will be unable to discuss or advise on individual offers and projects.

Further information on organisation eligibility, target groups, project activities and programme requirements can be found within the Prospectus, published on the webpage.

Potential applicants are able to find the slides and questions and answers from the Market Warming sessions on our website here under 'join a session and find out more':

Q24. We are an organisation based in West London specialising in a particular scheme of projects.

We read about the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach programme and we would like to know whether our organization can be eligible to apply.

A: The Prospectus for The Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme 2024-25 can be found on the webpage. Section 8, page 10 of the Prospectus, provides information on Organisation Eligibility.

Documents required for Due Diligence checks can be found in Section 9, page 11 of the Prospectus.

The Questions and Answers section of the webpage contains further questions and answers in relation to organisation eligibility that may also be of assistance. Essentially the project proposed should meet the objectives of the programme as set out in the Prospectus.

Q25. Where do I download the profile calculator so I can complete it and then upload it to my application?     

A: The 'Profile Calculator' is linked on the webpage, under the accordion titled 'Application Questions'.

More specifically, this can be found at the end of Question 5, just before Question 6 within the accordion.

Q26. I have now read through the information provided on the website and there's a strong hint to encourage possible participants to take up a maths or English courses but are courses like Art or Learning how to Podcast available or included in the list?

A: Given how the programme has been designed, community organisations are able to work with different target cohorts in varying ways for engagement activities and therefore it is understood different target cohorts may need or be interested in different Adult Learning options.

This programme does have a specific focus on raising awareness of numeracy skills and provision, but it does not need to solely focus on referrals into maths or English courses as other Adult Learning opportunities may be more suitable.

Applicants should be reminded that the programme has a focus on building referral pathways with a skills provision funded by the Mayor of London.

Q27. With your reference to making referrals to skills opportunities provided through the various Mayor of London funded providers, do you have a strict definition of what a referral would be?  If we are signposting to opportunities and supporting a client to complete enrolment forms, would this be considered a referral and therefore would we be able to include a date of signposting in the referral date column of the monitoring sheet? 

I note that some colleges do not necessarily have a referral option, but instead offer access to completing an enrolment form. I do understand that through partnerships that we may develop with providers we may be able to establish referral pathways, however I also note that signposting can be included as part of the project activities.  I’d just like to clarify therefore if we can effectively consider our signposting as making a referral?    

A: A referral as part of the programme would include signposting to relevant courses and skills opportunities. This should be tailored to the participants needs and goals to ensure referrals are high quality and relevant to the individual. Signposting dates should be included on data collection forms as part of the delivery processes for the programme.      

Q28. Could you answer the following questions in regard to the fund:

• We have 10 adult learning opportunities near us (in tower hamlets), do we only signpost our participants to these programmes or does the project fund their places (and therefore how can we find the prices of each programme?)
• The links to the integration do not work, can you provide a link to their direct work in tower hamlets so we can understand their provisions and how we can signpost our participants.

A: As part of the programme, successful projects should work with their local adult education providers to establish relationships and start to build referral pathways for the Londoners they support. However, referrals do not have to only be within specific boroughs and can be across all London providers depending on the courses available and the preferences of the learner. community groups should work collaboratively with the participants they support to identify a suitable course for them as part of the project. Information on what the programme funds is outlined in section 7 of the prospectus but does not cover individual course fees. Many individuals in London will be eligible for full funding for their courses as part of the Mayor of London skills offer and community groups should work with local providers to understand the eligibility of this in more detail.

Information on the No Wrong Door Integration Hubs is available on our website.

Q29. Will the bid winners be given a 'Participants Pack', or can the Participant Enrolment Form be converted into a Survey Monkey form to enable submission?

A: The GLA will not be providing a 'Participant Pack'. Forms recommended to be used are provided in the Delivery Handbook. Successful providers on the programme are free to adapt the paperwork to meet the needs of the participants/project, ensuring that the essential data is captured where required. GLA Providers Managers will be able to guide successful applicants during onboarding.

Q30. Can you please send a link to the application form, if possible, as couldn’t locate this.

A: To apply for funding for the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme 2024-25, applications need to be submitted via the OPS portal.

Further OPS guidance is available on the webpage under the 'How to apply' accordion, along with the link to request access.

All applicants will need to request access to the portal and create a 'Skills profile'.

The guidance outlines 4 options that can be followed dependant on individual organisation's status.

The options are as follows:

• Requesting access as a new user to an organisation already on GLA -OPS
• Requesting access as a new user with an organisation not on GLA-OPS
• Requesting access as an existing user with an organisation on GLA-OPS
• Requesting access as an existing user with an organisation not on GLA-OPS

Dependant on which one you select; you will then need to follow the corresponding steps.

For example: if you need to follow option 4, you should follow the steps outlined in section 4 starting on page 6.

Once all steps in option 4 have been completed and you have clicked 'request new profile' a member of the OPS team will approve your access request.

The GLA will look to approve access requests as quickly as possible however this can take up to 1 working day to approve.

Once access has been granted, the OPS guidance should be referred to once again for further guidance on how to complete the application.

Q31. Is there a budget template (assumed for due diligence purposes) for us to complete, or do we create and upload our own?     

A: The GLA does not provide a budget template for due diligence purposes. If your application is successful, you will be asked to provide copies of the below documents before being awarded a grant.

• an annual account or report for last year, plus current bank statements;
• confirming registered company/charity name;
• confirming registered address;
• confirming company/charity registration number;
• confirming VAT registration number (if applicable); and evidence of public liability and employer’s liability insurance.

Q32. When is the next deadline for submission if I miss the 21 June 2024?

A: Applications close at 5pm on 21 June, applications submitted after this time/date will not be accepted.

Q33. I am really interested in applying for the Skills for Londoners Fund to refer some of the struggling parents that we support.

However, the main barrier to learning and employment skills opportunities that they face is the need for childcare. Can you please provide me with information on whether the Mayor of London skills provisions have childcare provided?

A: We are unable to provide a comprehensive list of providers that provide childcare facilities as this is variable across the provision.

The Skills Providers Map will provide some information, in most cases you would need to contact the providers to ask.

Q34. I’m reaching out to you regarding one of the monitoring and evaluation requirements for the Community Outreach Programme 2024-25 application. On reviewing through the delivery handbook, I see that there is a participant enrolment template shared, which the organisations will have to fill for each enrolled participant.

While we collect key demographic information, I wanted to enquire on how modifiable the template is and its content?

A: Forms recommended to be used are provided in the Delivery Handbook. Successful providers on the programme are free to adapt the paperwork to meet the needs of the participants/project, ensuring that the essential data is captured where required. GLA Providers Managers will be able to guide successful applicants during onboarding.

Published 19^th June 2024

Q1. Are you going to send the recording of this meeting afterwards via email to the participants?

A: The recording from the session is unable to be shared with attendees due to restrictions around consent and permissions.

The slides from the webinar held on 28 May 2024 are now available on our website, under 'Join a session'. 

Q2. Can funding be used to deliver training, employability support?

A: The funding available is the same as in previous years. The funding cannot be used to deliver courses or for direct training related to employability support and should be used to fund the engagement activities with participants who need support to accessing adult learning opportunities.

Q3. Could you confirm the word or character count for each of the application question answers?

A: There is a 4000-character limit for each scored question within the application.

Q4. How will the new programme work to build relationships with local No Wrong Door Integration Hubs?

A: The GLA will provide facilitated support to help successful organisations build connections with strategic partners. One of those will be the four Integration Hubs outlined in the Prospectus.

Further information on Partnership Working and how the GLA will support the programme, can be founding in the Prospectus.

Q5. Are the GLA able to provide more information on which organisations are AEB funded provisions or numeracy provision, Bootcamps etc, could you provide further information on what is AEB provision and not?

A: In addition to the information outlined in both the Prospectus and Delivery Handbook, the interactive provider map contains all London AEB Provision, funded by the Mayor.

In previous delivery of the programme, The GLA has provided successful grantees with a referral guide and has committed to doing the same for the new programme. The GLA and the assigned GLA Provider Manager will provide ongoing support to help support collaboration with key adult education providers.

Q6. I would like to use London Multiply much more in my project, how will that work with engagement and referrals?

A: Due to the nature of how the programme has been developed, all projects are different with different timelines and engagement activities meaning that it is difficult to guide how individual projects should work. Further information is available within the prospectus on London Multiply and the link to the interactive provider map is available. Using the map and information, organisations are able to discuss working arrangements more locally to help drive specific project needs.

Q7. Are you likely to award funding to a specific target group or a wider target group?

A: The Prospectus contains further information on the target groups that might benefit from engagement however the list is not limited. All applicants have an option within the application process to select target cohorts for engagement and provide a rationale for their intended target group.  The GLA wants to be guided by local community organisations to ensure that the funding reaches those most in need.

Q8. How will the Programme work with adult education providers and how will the referrals work? How does the funding work for referral?

A: Our AEB Provision have provider managers similar to those that will be working on the Community Outreach Programme, who will similarly support the programme in connecting referrals. Successful grantees will be assigned with a GLA Provider Manager to help support connections between referral organisations. In addition to this, the GLA will facilitate more opportunities for engagement between successful organisations and key partners, earlier in the programme, following onboarding.

The programme has milestone payments so successful grantees will report to us how many participants have started on programme and total numbers of referrals made as part of the claim requirements needed to in order to claim their quarterly funding. Further information on claim requirements, can be found in the Delivery Handbook.

Q9. Can a Community Interest Company, limited by shares apply rather than one limited by guarantee?

A: As outlined in section 8 of the Prospectus, Community Interest Companies (CIC) are eligible to apply for the Community Outreach Programme. This includes CIC's which are limited by guarantee or by shares.

Q10. Are unincorporated organisations eligible?

A: To apply for the Community Outreach Programme organisations must be a registered charity, social enterprise or Community Interest Company that can, or be an individual or un-constituted community group nominating a partner organisation to receive the funds on their behalf. This does not include organisations which are unincorporated.

Q11. How can an individual / constituted apply? Does the sponsor have to meet the criteria?

A: Sponsor organisation must be a constituted group and fulfil one of the following criteria:

• Registered Charity
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)
• Community Interest Company (CIC)
• Charitable Company (limited by guarantee)
• Constituted Group/Organisation
• Excepted or exempted charity
• Community Amateur Sports Club
• Community Benefit Society

Sponsor organisations should also:

• Agree to accept the money on behalf of the unconstituted group and will pay out the fund from their own bank account;
• Be responsible for the grant funding terms and will need to jointly sign the grant agreement with the GLA and the unconstituted project delivery group;
• Have adequate and appropriate policies and procedures in place, including policies for Safeguarding, insurance, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and complaints (where services include advice provision);
• Support the non-constituted group to ensure their project delivery adheres to the sponsor’s policies and procedures. This may also include attending meetings with GLA grants officer.

Sponsorship organisations will be subject to financial due diligence as outlined in section 9 of the Prospectus.

Q12. Can we apply as a newly formed company?

A: In order to be considered for a grant, successful organisations will need to provide:

• An annual account or report for last year; and
• Evidence of public liability and employer’s liability insurance; and
• Current bank statements confirming:
  • Registered company/charity name;
  • Registered address;
  • Company/charity registration number
  • VAT registration number

Further information on the Due Diligence checks can be found in section 9 of the Prospectus.

Q13. If participants get referred to AEB and multiply, is that one referral or two?         

A: It should be noted that London Multiply is not a separate provision to Adult Education Budget.

Numeracy referrals are specific reporting of the referrals into adult education overall figure.

Q14. What is London Multiply?   

A: The London Multiply Programme offers free training to support Londoners to get the numeracy, confidence and skills they need to manage everyday living at work and home.

More specifically to the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme, it part funds the programme and therefore we ensure we have a numeracy focus with the engagement activities with participants and the referrals to adult learning. 

Q15. Is there a minimum amount of participants you expect to work with and refer? 

A: No, as all projects will be different bidders are required to provide a rationale for the numbers proposed for delivery in relation to their individual projects.

Q16. Would you expect us to successfully refer all our participants to adult education courses? What happens if we are not successful with some participants?

A: The GLA does not expect organisations to successfully refer 100% of participants into adult learning. It is understood that all projects will work differently in how they engage with participants therefore applicants are encouraged to be realistic about what they can achieve within the timeframe of the project and for the proposed budget. Successful grantees will be monitored in line with what has been set out in their applications agreed prior to grant award.

Q17. What is the value of the funding available?

A: Funding available per project is up to £35,000.

Q18. How many organisations are the GLA going to fund in this round?

A: The funding is available for up to 45 projects.

Q19. What will the funding cover - can this be used to cover hall charge, marketing, staffing etc?

A: Costs that can be covered by the fund include (but are not limited to):

• Staffing costs
• Resource and event costs
• Venue hire costs.
• Overheads
• Engagement activities

Section 7 of the Prospectus outlines further information on Funding Available.

Q20. How does the GLA measure what a successful project looks like?

A: The GLA will monitor the project against the delivery of what has been set out in the application form and agreed prior to grant award. Monitoring will look at the success of the engagement activities with participants and the key partners associated to the programme plus the numerical metrics outlined in the application form related to participants starting on the programme and referrals to adult learning.

Q21. Can you please explain why there are no targets related to the funding?

A: Given how the programme is designed to allow organisations to work with different target cohorts with varying engagement activities, it is difficult to provide a fair target that would align with the varying project needs. With this in mind the GLA has not set targets and requests that bidders should provide a clear rationale for the numbers they propose based on the target cohort they will engaging with and how.

Q22. Are organisations outside of London able to apply?

A: The funding available is for user-led, London based organisations. Further information can be found in the Prospectus.

Q23. Can the fund cover staffing?

A: See response to Q19.

Q24. Re: unconstituted-groups and individuals as applicants, I am still not clear as to exactly how they themselves will be assessed for eligibility and how the sponsor/partner organisation nominated to receive funds will be assessed against the eligibility.      

A: Please see responses to Q10 & Q11

Q25. How best are we going to work with the funded education providers? Have these organisations been informed and is the referral pathway clear?

A: Successful organisations will be expected to work with local adult education providers and build relationships throughout delivery of the programme. Referral pathways will be different for each provider, organisation and individual, but adult education providers funded by the Mayor of London will receive information on successful projects and contact details to start to establish relationships. Provider managers will also provide organisations with support if there are specific challenges projects are experiencing with building these connections.

Q26. How will we know who is funded by Mayor-Adult Skills Fund for example, and how will we get information about key local partners (Example - no wrong door integration hub)?

Is there a referral system in place already and do these funded organisations know about the referral process.

Will we get a named person for example if we are going to refer to a Adult Education provider?

A: Please see responses to Q4 and Q5.

Q27. Do organisations who have previously registered on OPS need to re-register to apply?

A: OPS guidance in available on the website, under the section titled 'How to apply'. The guidance outlines the steps to take whether you have used the OPS system previously or not.

Published on 05 June 2024

Q1. The prospectus states that funding cannot be used for training or employment support. What does this cover?

A: Funding for the community outreach programme cannot be used to deliver direct training courses or employment support which is funded through the Mayor of London's skills programmes. These are outlined in section 6 of the prospectus. Organisations can deliver bespoke engagement programmes as part of the funding which could include workshops, events or fairs, or 1-1 tailored coaching workshops for example.

Published on 12 June 2024

Q2. Who is responsible for carrying out the due diligence (compliance) checks in relation to Participants? Can a participant who completed a course one year ago be considered as distant from adult learning?

A: Community Organisations will be responsible for ensuring that the participants they report to be counted as starts on the project are eligible for their project, in line with what has been outlined in their application forms.

The GLA will conduct compliance checks throughout the lifetime of the project in relation to the participant eligibility for the projects. The compliance checks will include checks to ensure that participant has confirmed on their enrolment form to be within the project target group(s) along with ensuring that the participant has confirmed their consent for their information to be shared with the GLA via the privacy notice provided in the Delivery Handbook. In addition to this, the GLA will also look at the barriers of the participants engaged to ensure that they are within keeping of both the Programme objectives and the projects application form, for which they were awarded funding for.

For the specific example provided, the GLA understands that the varying target groups and associated barriers may present instances whereby participants might be deemed as distant from adult learning even though they have undertaken adult learning in recent years. Whilst these would be exceptions to the norm, each case would be different because need should be determined on an individual’s barriers and overall adult learning aims.

Q3. Can progressions (referrals) to adult learning be counted if the course is delivered internally?

A: Yes, referrals to courses being delivered in-house would be counted on the programme. Whilst it is recognised that the programme has a focus on building referral pathways with skills provision funded by the Mayor of London, it is recognised that non-mayoral funded courses may be appropriate for some participants.

Q4. Will there be any conflict with ESFA funding and Community Outreach Programme funding?

A: Whilst the GLA are unaware of any conflicts of the Community Outreach Programme and ESFA funding, community organisations are responsible for ensuring that the activities delivered on their respective projects are that of complementary rather than duplication to avoid any potential double funding.

Published 19^th June 2024

Q1. Is there a minimum number of boroughs you are expected to work with?             

A: No, projects can operate in a single borough, across multiple boroughs, or be pan-London. Applications should provide a rationale for the chosen boroughs.

Q2. Can a Company limited by guarantee which is constituted by charitable purposes apply?

A: To apply for the Community Outreach Programme organisations must meet the company registration eligibility as outlined in the programme prospectus and clarifications issued under the Questions and Answers section of the webpage. 

In addition to the company registration status, organisations must meet the annual income requirement of being less than £500k which will need to be evidenced as part of the due diligence checks. Organisations will need to ensure that they are able to fully demonstrate their organisation eligibility within the application form, meeting the objectives of the programme and throughout the due diligence process. Whilst there is every intention to provide clarifications to individual organisation status, it is recognised that it is not always possible with limited information therefore if organisations believe they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the prospectus they should submit an application. The GLA will complete further checks on individual organisations at Due Diligence stage where more information will be available to aid any decision. Please note that the GLA will be unable to provide grant award funding to organisations that are not eligible and funding award will be subject to these conditions being met.

As previously mentioned, private limited companies or organisations with an annual income of over £500k are not eligible to apply.

Q3. We receive perhaps £100k per year, but we administer funding on behalf of NHS (eg. up to £1m). does that exclude us? £100k is income, the rest is 'passthrough'.   

A: To be eligible for the community outreach programme, community groups need to have an annual income of less than £500k which will need to be evidenced as part of the due diligence checks. Organisations with an income of more than £500k will not be eligible to apply for funding under the programme.

Q4. Are claims made through a GLA portal? 

A: Organisations will be required to submit claims using GLA's 'Open Project System' commonly referred to as 'OPS'.  

Q5. Do we set targets? If we set the bar too high or too low, would you come back to us and say; "could you do x" instead? i.e. negotiate it so that you are happy and satisfied?    

A: Given how the programme is designed to allow organisations to work with different target cohorts with varying engagement activities, it is difficult to provide a fair target that would align with the varying project needs. With this in mind the GLA has not set targets and requests that bidders should provide a clear rationale for the numbers they propose based on the target cohort they will engaging with and how. The GLA may seek clarification on the targets prior to the award of grant but will not seek to re-negotiate them.

Q6. What is the definition of income?  

A: For due diligence purposes on this funding round; income is the money that an individual or organisation receives in return for their services or goods.

Q7. Do you have Adult Education providers that we should promote more, ie. more priority than others?

A: Our Skills Provider Map outlines the Mayor of London funded providers across London. Community groups should use this tool to find local provision in their area which meets the needs of the target groups they are supporting.

Q8. Can you define 'adult' skills opportunities i.e. from what age are young adult programmes (up to age 24 years old) eligible?         

A: Adult skills opportunities referred to as part of the community outreach programme are Mayor of London funded programmes to support Londoners to achieve the skills they need to thrive in life and work. These courses are for all adults aged 19+ and more information can be found on our website on each of the specific programmes funded.

Q9. Will the GLA provide support in promoting the programme?    

A: Yes, the GLA will provide facilitated support to help successful organisations build connections with strategic partners. One of those will be the four Integration Hubs outlined in the Prospectus.

Further information on Partnership Working and how the GLA will support the programme, can be found in the Prospectus.

Q10. Can you expand on the roadshow events please. Are we expected to share our events or is it an event that we are expected to attend? How many will be organised over the grant period?            

A: The London Multiply Roadshow events are free and fun community numeracy events to engage Londoners and build up confidence with maths. Community outreach organisations will be encouraged to support events in their local area to help join up our skills offer but more information on this will be provided throughout the delivery period.

Q11. Is there a minimum target for referrals to numeracy courses under Multiply? Will you tell us if our target is too high or too low?          

A: No, given how the programme is designed to allow organisations to work with different target cohorts with varying engagement activities, it is difficult to provide a fair target that would align with the varying project needs. With this in mind the GLA has not set targets and requests that bidders should provide a clear rationale for the numbers they propose based on the target cohort they will engaging with and how.

Q12. Does an organisation have to meet all the following criteria:

• Be a user-led London-based community, voluntary, faith, cultural, or grassroots organisation.
• Be a registered charity, social enterprise or Community Interest Company that can demonstrate a track record of transparent financial accounting processes. • Have an annual income under £500,000.
• Hold a UK bank account.
• Be an individual or un-constituted community group nominating a partner organisation to receive the funds on their behalf.   

A: To apply for the Community Outreach Programme organisations must be eligible under one of the listed organisations types and be under the annual income threshold noted.

• Be a user-led London-based community, voluntary, faith, cultural, or grassroots organisation
• Be a registered charity, social enterprise or Community Interest Company that can demonstrate a track record of transparent financial accounting processes, or be an individual or un-constituted community group nominating a partner organisation to receive the funds on their behalf.
• Have an annual income under £500,000 and hold a UK bank account

Q13. Are the referrals to accredited courses or can it be community learning workshops?

A: Participants do not need to be referred onto accredited courses, but projects should aim to deliver with the objectives of the programme in mind and meet the needs of the participant.

Published 19^th June 2024

• Leaders in Community – ‘Women Powering Change’

Women Powering Change works in Tower Hamlets' deprived wards. It empowers people affected by cost-of-living crises as well as digitally-excluded Bangladeshi women with low English levels. It helps them be more financially independent, developing skills and qualifications for good work, especially in Mayoral priority areas.

• Living Under One Sun

A community hub in Tottenham Hale for those without information, services, learning and training opportunity access. This is via an established Café Connect drop in, with one-to-one support services, fun and empowering health/wellbeing activities, and strong numeracy/conversational focus.

• African Youth Development Association – ‘African RAS Women Adult Learning Outreach Project’

Working with French-speaking Black African asylum seeker/refugee women in south London. Through outreach and promotion, they engage community members and refer them to adult learning providers so they can gain qualifications. This increases their chances of getting work, leading to improved incomes and living standards for them and their families.

• Islington Somali Community – ‘ISC Links’

ISC Links is (since 2009) a grassroots youth work project engaging young Somalis in north London. It engages hard-to-reach young people, including those at risk of radicalisation or gang activities. ISC re-connects them with education, helping hundreds of young people move forward positively.

• Education and Skills Development Group – ‘Cost of living coffee morning and lunch club’

Baby, child and elderly friendly sessions with multilingual, culturally-responsive staff with lived experience. They provide inclusive 1-2-1 support, information, advice and guidance, empowering isolated or digitally-excluded deprived women from BAMER backgrounds. Focus also on SEND (and parents of SEND) children, so they can overcome learning insecurities, build confidence and be galvanised towards adult education in a friendly, relaxed and non-judgemental environment.

• Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow

They build on trusted relationships with mothers facing intersectional employment barriers. This means they can access and engage with appropriate adult education, and achieve their goals.

• Belina Grow CIC – Bridge Project

Supporting disadvantaged women returners in Newham to access training, including multiply.

• Coaching for Women

The project guides, encourages and enthuses women through group coaching, helping them realise a more fulfilling life. They can increase their skills by enrolling in adult learning, for a fuller life including employment or self-employment outcomes. Eight, 6 hour in-person taster workshops encourage women to enrol for the longer, 8-week online course.

• Stand Together Network – ‘And Still I Rise’

Empowering BAMER beneficiaries to change livelihood through improving education, skills and job circumstances. This is via a careers advice hub, helping these people identify suitable learning, training and career/work pathways.

• Adanna Women's Support Group

Helping women from the BAME community and furthest from the employment market, develop needed skills and knowledge to gain suitable employment. An employability project and mentoring/befriending programme alongside, that supports women to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic abuse, or have had their career journey interrupted by having children, migrating to the UK, getting married or divorced or having to care for elderly relatives.

• New Challenge CIC

Generating awareness and interest amongst the community, and increase their participation in learning and help them gain the positive social and economic benefits of learning and supporting them to develop their skills and improve their prospects.

• Willow Learning for Life Ltd Community Interest Company – ‘Croydon adults with learning disabilities’

Helping Croydon residents with learning disabilities and their carers access adult education, specifically focusing on the 'Multiply' numeracy program. The project aims to create accessible pathways for learning, promote inclusivity, and empower individuals with learning disabilities to engage in lifelong education.

• Croydon Business Venture Limited – ‘StartUp Croydon Creative Community Skills’

Supporting individuals in Croydon who are looking to start a business or access a career in the creative and digital industries. The project will help the local community, especially women and young Black men, to access skills development courses where they are under-represented in these industries.

• Adult & Community Development Academy (ACDA) – ‘Get London Learning’

A responsive and effective community-based outreach service that is focused on making adult education, employment programmes, skills provision and other learning opportunities more accessible to marginalised and disproportionately disadvantaged communities living in West London.

• Golden Opportunity Skills and Development – ‘Education For All’

Raising awareness of learning opportunities such as skills opportunities and careers in the Academy priority sectors (green, health and care, hospitality, digital and creative), the project seek to break and address barriers to learning experienced by beneficiaries, and support them to access adult learning provisions.

• Hornbeam Centre – ‘Hornbeam Skills Outreach’

Delivering an adult learning outreach programme using food as the tool for engagement, utilising the Waltham Forest Food Partnership members to promote opportunities in local food settings. An outreach model that utilises food settings and incorporates training opportunities as part of a wider wrap around offer to the most marginalised members of the local community, by exploring their specific needs and interests relating to skills and training, develop next step actions, and progress onto Adult Learning courses.

• Agudas Israel Organisation Great Britain – ‘Access to employment for the disadvantaged’

A new Community Hub where we will run a bespoke and culturally sensitive employment support and referral service to guide economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals from the Jewish community through gaining relevant skills and experience as well as accessing culturally sensitive adult training opportunities. This will enable them to find long term employment without having to compromise on their religious standards in the process.

• Henna Asian Women's Group - ‘ESOL – Easy Support Onto Learning’

Working with hospitality employers as well as links with care providers and operators, we will work South Asian Women so that skills needed can be learned and developed which provide opportunities for them to access more than menial jobs. We will work with women to raise awareness of learning opportunities that will enable progression.

• Find Your Feet Careers and Enterprises CIC

Engaging in physical community outreach and digital campaigns in the Northwest Paddington and areas of social deprivation within London, that are NEET and part of the global majority specifically men from an African and Caribbean heritage and single mothers, into further education or training.

• Centre for Human Development – 'Holistic support to BAME women to learn and connec'

We will provide a localised online learning platform that offers anyone, anywhere, in Hounslow and adjacent boroughs easy access to online courses from different education providers.

• Orange Bow CIC

Delivering an interactive and engaging schedule of weekly outreach surgeries and twice monthly taster sessions across South London, reaching those most likely to benefit from adult learning programmes such as those out of work and impacted by the cost of living crisis. Track record of engaging young people with BAME backgrounds, women, individuals with English language needs, and those seeking asylum, to raise awareness of adult education and numeracy provision.

• WE RESTART – ‘A.R.I.A. (Asylum seeker, Refugee and Immigrant Artists) Hub’

Supporting artists at risk and refugee artists to enhance their artistic skills, foster personal growth, and support their journey towards sustainable careers in the arts. Our goal is to create a vibrant and inclusive artistic community where they can thrive and contribute to the cultural landscape, whilst promoting social integration in a dedicated studio space with access to resources, mentorship programs, and professional development opportunities.

• EFA London –  ‘Found in Translation: Improving pathways into ESOL’

Developing classroom materials aimed at discussing formal education pathways, supplemented by open, localised, language-accessible workshops for community members from migrants and refugees background with lower English proficiency. Outreach, facilitated by an EFA teacher-organiser, will engage local AEB providers through a series of trainings to improve their engagement tools for working with migrants with lower levels of English.

• East London Skills For Life – 'Reach for Tomorrow'

This second edition of “Build Your Future Outreach” is widening its scope to engage and support eligible participants to gain access to further learning and training with other providers as applicable to their needs including those with English language needs, refugees, digitally excluded, individuals with negative experience of mainstream education, and individuals on new visa schemes.

• Transit Community Support CIC – 'Richmond & Hounslow Community Skills Connect'

An initiative dedicated to empowering individuals in Hounslow and Richmond Boroughs. Connecting learners with further education and training providers that offer relevant courses and have the necessary funding to support their skill development & progression. By connecting learners with suitable training providers, we empower individuals to improve their skills and enhance employability. By bridging the skills gap and strengthening community resilience, we aim to transform lives.

• Skills Exchange Project CIC

Our referral program aims to increase access to adult education by providing support and guidance to community members, including those from BAME communities, disabled individuals, and adults with mental health or substance misuse issues. Our collaborative partnerships with local adult education providers and support hubs, ensure a seamless transition for participants into courses and programs. Our goal is to facilitate personal and professional growth, increase employability, and contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and their communities.

• The Happy And Healthy Trust – ‘Soft Skills Thrills’

Empowering disadvantaged young people, through various targeted workshops and activities where they will learn comprehensive soft skills and life skills to gain clarity on making crucial financial decision, For individuals who may have faced barriers to employment or training and encompasses a wide range of modules that cover critical soft skills, which will enhance their confidence, employ-ability prospects, social and everyday life.

• BeLifted Now CIC

Providing support and guidance to help individuals from marginalized communities, overcome barriers and empower them to pursue their educational goals. Through a range of activities and initiatives, we aim to connect individuals with local courses and programs, facilitate direct referrals to adult learning provision, and provide resources for navigating the registration process.

• Skills and Training Network
• Adult and Community Development Academy
  Delivering a community-based signposting and referral outreach service aimed at engaging with disproportionately disadvantaged Londoners to raise awareness, increase participation and take advantage of a diverse range of adult education, jobs and skills programmes and learning opportunities available to them in West London.
• Wapping Bangladesh Association
• Dorset Community Association
  Providing a range of accessible, inclusive activities from our centre including: a weekly outreach stall on the estate and community event with fun activities for all, sewing skills classes and welleing sessions aimed at long term unemployed women who may need to work from home, CV writing, ICT and employment support sessions for long-term unemployed residents, careers and learning signposting and referral to local ESOL classes. They have direct links to local services for residents to advance to learning opportunities or entry into the job market by removing barriers to participation.
• Orange Bow CIC
• Xenia
  Bringing together British, refugee, migrant and asylum seeking women to connect, share and learn. The Xenia community meets weekly at participatory workshops, which run alongside one to one outreach, signposting and support, to ensure everyone has the access to core services and education they need to thrive.
• Tailored Futures CIC
  Delivering holistic support for black male ex-offenders in approved premises (APs) in Newham, Camden, Lewisham or Brent to access training and employment in the hospitality industry.
• East London Skills for Life
• Connect: North Korea
  Empowering North Korean refugees and asylum seekers, mostly women in their 30s and 40s, to learn English, improve their academic qualifications and training so that they can secure stable and meaningful employment and forge their own future.
• Island House Community Centre
  Specialising in outreach and connecting with the community through ESOL and pre-employment, digital skills and accredited online training in Health & Social Care. Those connections will be used to connect those in the local community to further training or employment by improving their independence, confidence and skills.
• Status Education CIC
  Promoting and raising awareness of adult learning, training and jobs to aid London's recovery for people with low skills levels to access learning which will lead to jobs in the hospitality and childcare sector.
• Islington Somali Community (ISC)
  Since 2009 ISC Links has been a grassroots youthwork project engaging young Somalis throughout Islington and neighbouring boroughs in north London. Links engages hard-to-reach young people including those at risk of radicalisation or involved in gang activities. ISC re-connects them with education and has helped hundreds of young people move forward positively with their lives.