DfE Update local authorities: 4 November 2026
Published 4 November 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-4-november-2026/dfe-update-local-authorities-4-november-2026
1. Action: Submit your Care to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, defined vulnerable groups element, funding claim form by Wednesday 11 November
The Care to Learn scheme and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, defined vulnerable groups element, funding claim forms are now live. The deadline for your submission is 5pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Before you submit your claim, read our Care to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for defined vulnerable groups funding claims guidance. It explains the information you need to complete your submission correctly and includes a link to the funding claim form.
We are unable to accept funding claims that miss the closing date. These must be submitted in the second claims window in January 2027.
2. Information: Breakfast club summer term arrears payment, and autumn upfront payment
We have published two October allocations spreadsheets for the free breakfast clubs grant 2025 to 2026. These show:
- summer term arrears allocations for the 2025 to 2026 academic year
- spring term arrears allocations for a small number of schools for the 2025 to 2026 academic year
We have also published allocations for the free breakfast clubs grant: 2026 to 2027 . These are the upfront allocations for the autumn term 2026 to 2027 academic year.
All allocations were paid at the end of October 2026 to local authorities and will be paid at the beginning of November 2026 to academies.
3. Information: Condition funding for 2027 to 2028
On Wednesday 21 October 2026, we confirmed the launch of the financial year 2027 to 2028 bidding round for the condition improvement fund (CIF) and contacted eligible schools and sixth-form colleges.
Eligible schools in smaller academy trusts, smaller voluntary aided (VA) bodies and sixth-form colleges should apply to CIF if they have condition investment requirements.
Local authorities, eligible larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) and eligible larger VA school bodies instead receive a school condition allocation (SCA) to invest across their schools. We have notified MATs and VA groups that are eligible for SCA in financial year 2027 to 2028.
4. Reminder: 2027 to 2028 high needs place change process
This is a reminder that the high needs place change process for 2027 to 2028 academic year closes on Friday 6 November 2026.
This process can be used to notify us of changes to high needs place numbers in DfE-funded schools and colleges for the 2027 to 2028 academic year. If no change is requested, in most cases, 2026 to 2027 academic year place numbers will be used.
You can request changes using the MS Excel workbook which is available to download through a digital form. We have published instructions on how to access the form and download the workbook alongside accompanying guidance on the high needs place change notification process, including information on how to complete the place change workbook.
5. Feedback: Improving the view of universal infant free school meals funding information – November 2026 and January 2027
We are improving the way colleagues at local authorities and multi-academy trusts view funding information.
We welcome your feedback on the design currently in development and encourage participation from all roles that view funding information related to universal infant free school meals (UIFSM).
Online Microsoft Teams feedback sessions will run from Monday 16 November to Friday 20 November and from Monday 11 January to Friday 15 January and will last up to 60 minutes.
We will contact you to confirm your session date and time once we receive your expression of interest.
Please register your interest to take part.
6. Events and webinars: Risk protection arrangement Members only – The Regulatory Mock Trial
Tuesday 10 November 2026. 9am to midday. Register on MS Teams
7. Events and webinars: Power Hour: The upcoming MIS framework: What schools and trusts need to know and do
Wednesday 11 November, 1:30pm to 2:30 pm Register on Eventbrite
8. Events and webinars: Power Hour: Banking for schools: Is your school making the most of its money?
Thursday 12 November 2pm to 3pm. Register on Eventbrite