Bursary Scheme

The aim of the Norfolk DAAT drug training bursary scheme is to provide a training funding scheme open to people working in the substance misuse or associated fields within the County of Norfolk. If you are thinking of applying to the DAAT for a bursary towards the cost of the Higher Education Certificate in Substance Misuse which is due to start in September 2012 these must be with the DAAT by 19th June 2012

The Society for the Study of Addictions maybe another form of bursary funding (could be up to £750 per year) for accredited courses in substance misuse and for more details of this alternative scheme please click on the link.

Purpose, Eligibility and Scope of the DAAT Bursary

Purpose

The bursary scheme is to “support people in developing skills of direct and immediate importance to their work in substance misuse services”

The scheme is not a means of funding activities that are primarily within the scope of normal professional development.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to all workers who have been working in the substance misuse field for at least one year and working in Norfolk.  Applications are invited from all areas of substance misuse service providers.

Scope

All applications for support for training will be considered, although not usually from applicants who have worked or volunteered for less than twelve months.

1. The scheme may provide:  fees for education/training activities which are aimed at equipping individuals with knowledge and skills to carry out work which is of direct and immediate relevance to substance misuse services.
 
2. The scheme may support attendance: on full-time, part-time or distance learning courses, which may cover a broad range of related courses. Applications are encouraged from workers who wish to attend short specialist courses and from individuals who wish to undertake appropriate 'top up' courses. In all cases the main focus of the course must be the development of skills and knowledge relevant to their work in the substance field.
  

Conditions of the Bursary

• Bursaries for any relevant courses/conference of up to 100% can be awarded but that this would normally be up to 50% for those in full-time employment.

• Bursaries are awarded at the discretion of the Norfolk DAAT and priority will be given to supporting Certificate of Higher Education students

• The Norfolk DAAT must be informed immediately if financial support becomes available from another agency after an application has been submitted.

• Application for support under the bursary scheme should normally be for courses / activities which begin within one year of the application to the scheme.

• The Norfolk DAAT must be informed immediately if the applicant fails to obtain (or take up) a place on the course for which funding had been sought from the bursary scheme.

•  Retrospective awards will not be made.

• Successful candidates will be required to submit  electronic feedback on the course/conference as an essential requirement.

• All payments will normally be made through the applicant’s employer or directly to an educational institution.

• All expenses claimed should be receipted otherwise they cannot be paid.

• The Norfolk DAAT will require repayment from the delegate or the delegate’s employing organisation for any bursary funding or part thereof should the delegate not complete the course.

Application Procedure

Application to the scheme is by completion of a Bursary Application Form that must be forwarded to the applicant's Line Manager for approval.

Download an application form

You may also request an application form by post, call 01603 677577 for further details.

Applicants may discuss their proposed course with the Training and Workforce Development Coordinator, Mike Hutchinson at Norfolk DAAT, who is responsible for managing the scheme.

Applications will be considered by a sub-group consisting of members of the Training and Workforce Development Group who will assess applications on the following criteria:

• The completeness of the application and supporting letter

• The potential of the award to develop the individual's skills / knowledge to undertake work of direct and immediate importance to their agency of service users

• the probability of successful completion of the course/activity

• the likelihood of subsequent use of the skills/knowledge developed;

• the potential benefit to the service users.

Specifically, applicants should be able to demonstrate that they:

• are committed to, and will have the opportunity for, applying skills and knowledge  gained through a bursary award;

•  have the support of their current employer and line manager, to facilitate protected study time and later to support the use of skills and knowledge  acquired;

• are currently, working in or attached to a substance misuse service provider.  In such cases a letter from the Manager or supervisor, confirming the arrangements, should be attached to the application form.

Completing the Application Form

Applications should be submitted on the DAAT Bursary Application Form. The form should be completed by the applicant, using a black ballpoint pen, keeping within the margins indicated. Abbreviations, if used, should be fully explained. If additional space is required please fix additional pages to the back of the form.  

The application form comprises of the following sections:

• Details of the applicant including work address, employment history and qualifications

• Title of the proposed course/event/activity

• Location details where the course/event/activity is offered

• Your rationale for applying for a bursary

• Whether this is a retrospective claim

• How your learning will be applied

• What you see as the potential benefit for the agency and/or the client group

• How this learning activity will help N-DAP meet its objectives regarding the National Drug Strategy (young people, treatment, communities, and enforcement)

• The duration, start and end dates (format: day, month and year in each case), of the course

• Financial details.  Please state the amount of funding required.

• Declaration and signatures. The applicant must declare if an application for funding has been made to any other funding body. The application must be signed by the applicant and by his/her current employer (electronic signatures are acceptable)

Applications will be accepted and paid through the financial year.   However, consideration for the Certificate of Higher Education applications will be considered on a specified date in early June (this date will be published on the website and notified through the Training and Workforce Development Group and provider managers).

Year 2 funding could be agreed at the same time, subject to funds being available.  Students who are self-funding or funded from another source for Year 1 may apply for a bursary for Year 2 in the June before the commencement of Year 2.

Caveat: Line Managers should be aware that the Norfolk DAAT will expect the organisation to repay a pro rata amount of the bursary should the applicant not complete the course.