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Durham was last inspected in June 2024. As part of the inspection process, inspectors received feedback and views from 1,500 children, young people, families and partners. You can read more about the feedback from the inspectors on our Strategies, plans, policies and inspections page.

Disability Access Fund (early years only)


The Disability Access Fund (DAF) helps providers to make reasonable adjustments in their settings, either to support an individual child, or for the benefit of all children attending the setting.

A child will be eligible if they are in receipt of child disability living allowance and are receiving free early education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Children will not be eligible if they are in a primary school reception class.

If a setting has eligible children they will be entitled to receive (from the first term that an application is made) a one-off payment of £910 per child each calendar year that the child attends. If the child attends more than one setting only the main setting will receive the payment. The child's parents/carers will choose which is the main setting.

If a child moves settings within the financial year, the new setting will not be eligible to receive a payment until the next financial year.

How to claim

Settings and schools will claim through the Children's Provider Portal on the eligible child's individual record. Please complete the "nominated for DAF" section. Settings and schools will need to see evidence of the child's Disability Living Allowance eligibility and send a copy to EYFunding@durham.gov.uk as well as retaining this evidence for audit purposes.



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