Access:
Funding for Additional Needs and Alternative Provision
Our Access – Funding for Additional Needs and Alternative Provision in England project is supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and enables newly licensed Additional Needs and Alternative Provision settings in England to launch DofE programmes.
Between 2022-2024, Access funding supported 128 Additional Needs and Alternative Provision settings to start delivering the DofE, 96% report they would not have been able to do this without funding.
We know the DofE programme has a myriad of positive impacts on participants, with research indicating that 89% of young people with additional needs would recommend the DofE to others. Over 86% of funded Additional Needs and Alternative Provision settings observed positive impacts on participants’ wellbeing, educational engagement, personal development and life skills.*
Through this fund, we not only offer grant funding but support Additional Needs and Alternative Provision settings every step of the way. You can find information on eligibility, available funding, and how to apply below.
Read our funding for additional needs and alternative provision guidance
Thomasson Memorial School is for young people aged 4 – 16 years old from across North-West England who have varying levels of hearing impairments, and who use British Sign Language to communicate. Through Access- Funding for Additional Needs and Alternative Provisions they were able to become a Licensed Organisation and deliver the DofE programme.
This fund supports Additional Needs and Alternative Provision settings to begin delivery of the DofE Award. To be eligible to receive this support, the following criteria must apply:
- The organisation is a state funded Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school, Alternative Provision (AP), or Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) that receives funding through their local authority or directly from the government
- The organisation does not currently have a DofE licence
- The organisation has not terminated a DofE licence in the past six months at the point of application.
Please note that independent settings are not eligible for this funding.
Bronze, Silver and Gold Participation places:
Newly Licensed Organisations can apply for Participation Places to support their young people to access the DofE Award at no cost.
Sectional equipment
Licensed Organisations can apply for up to £4,500 ex-VAT in total to purchase sectional equipment to help support participants undertaking their DofE activities. This funding can be applied across Physical, Volunteering, Skill, and/or Expedition sections.
All requested items MUST:
- Be reusable for DofE activity
- Be owned and retained by the Licensed Organisation, who must have the ability to store and maintain them so they can be used again
- Demonstrate value for money
- Clearly help facilitate the activity and support participants to do their DofE.
DofE Licence Fee support
75% of the 2025/26 DofE Licence Fee.
Applications open – 14 April 2025
Applications close – 11 December 2025
Step 1: Express your interest through the form below.
Step 2: If your organisation is eligible, we’ll be in touch to support you becoming licensed and applying for this funding.
Step 3: Submit your application form (make sure you’ve read and confirmed you agree to the DofE’s standard Terms and Conditions, which will be provided with the Grant Agreement.)
Step 4: Your application will be reviewed, and your Operations Officer will inform you by email whether you have been successful.
Step 5: If successful, use your grant in-line with the agreement and make sure you keep copies of all receipts and invoices.
Step 6: Complete a final report in-line with the reporting dates stated on the grant application.
Successful Licensed Organisations will be required to submit a final report by 13 February 2026.
This will detail how the grant has supported young people in your setting to do their DofE, and the positive impact this has had. Grantees must retain all invoices and receipts associated with the expenditure as these may be requested during the reporting process.
