Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) is a programme that provides financial support to educational institutions (from the Department for Education – DFE) such as schools and colleges to improve their infrastructure, enhance safety and compliance and create a conducive learning environment for students and staff. The funding process aims to address building issues with significant consequences that revenue or Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) funding cannot meet.
Main elements covered by the CIF process are:
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- General condition related issues
- Expansion projects
- Health and safety issues (asbestos etc)
- Fire safety
- Sustainability/Decarbonisation
What’s new for CIF 2024/25?
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- Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) – You don’t need to submit CIF applications for RAAC mitigations or roof replacements – the DfE will cover all costs.
- Expansion project disqualification – Expansion applications that aim to increase capacity by less than 10% or for schools where the current enrollment is less than 10% over capacity for overcrowding projects, will not be considered.
We understand the intricate details and requirements of CIF applications. Our team of experienced professionals has helped numerous clients apply for CIF grants and has a long track record of success.
We not only offer guidance, we provide end-to-end support throughout the CIF journey. Our dedicated team will work closely with you from the initial condition surveys, through the tender process with preparation and submission of the CIF bid, to project delivery.
Unlike many of our competitors, we’re a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy with over 50 years experience in the construction industry. We have access to many services that can complement the entire CIF process, such as:
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- Principal Designer Service, which ensures compliance with the Construction Design and Management 2015 regulations.
- Sustainability Service, which offers numerous benefits such as reduced environmental impact, cost savings, improved occupant health and wellbeing, regulatory compliance and increased community engagement.
- Laser Scanning Services, which ensure high quality measured survey outputs, can be used to inform current CIF projects, future school projects and services as an accurate record of the building layout for facilities management purposes.
Condition Survey
We will carry out a condition survey to assess the current condition of your institution and give you guidance on what works could be bid for. We will give you professional and experience advice on what works are likely to be most successful.
Bid Writing
We will write your bid and submit it. Our specialists have multiple years experience in writing these bids and will be able to explain the problems, what needs to be done to rectify them, what funding is needed and the cost of it not being done.
CIF Outcome & Project Delivery
We will review the bid outcome with you and manage the construction process from start to finish. Unlike a lot of CIF Specialists, we are a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy so you can rest assure that we have everything in-house to give you the best results and ensure full compliance with current regulations/standards.
Please contact our CIF team to discuss how we can assist you.
Aaron Freeman
Director, CIF Specialist and Building Surveyor
Stephen Medhurst
CIF Quantity Surveyor
Alex Johnson
CIF Specialist and Laser Scanning Lead
Will Armstrong
Associate Director, HSE
Declan Beales
Assistant CIF Specialist and Building Surveyor
Mitzi Wells
Head of Sustainability
Jordan Molloy
CIF ConsultantWhat is CIF?
CIF, short for Condition Improvement Funding, is an annual opportunity for academies, multi-academy trusts and sixth form colleges to secure vital funding for their capital projects. This initiative was created with the aim of ensuring the safety and overall condition of educational buildings. In addition, CIF is used to support expansion projects in schools that are highly sought after and have received an Outstanding or Good rating from Ofsted. At Potter Raper, we understand the importance of CIF in maintaining and improving educational facilities. Our dedicated team is well versed in the intricacies of CIF and its associated guidelines. We are committed to helping schools and colleges in harnessing the potential of this funding opportunity to create better learning environments and achieve positive outcomes for students. For further insight into the Condition Improvement Fund and its potential impact on your institution, we encourage you to read the Government's official guidance. However, we also know that interpreting and applying this information can be complex and time-consuming. That's where Potter Raper comes in - as your trusted CIF specialist we can navigate you through the entire process. Contact us today to find out how Potter Raper can help you harness the power of CIF.
Why is CIF important?
CIF is a readily assessable fund that educational institutions (Nurseries, Primary, and Secondary Schools along with Sixth-Form providers) can apply for. This funding ensures the safety, functionality, and quality of the physical learning environment for the above institutions. CIF supports the well-being of students and staff, enhances the education experience, and helps these institutions meet their legal obligations while optimizing long-term cost efficiency.
How can I apply for CIF funding?
The formal announcement of eligibility for CIF is made in October of the year of the funding round and usually covers schools or multi-academy trusts with fewer than 3000 pupils and up to 5 schools. Trusts with more than 5 schools may be eligible if their pupil numbers are below 3000, while those with fewer than 5 schools and more than 3000 pupils aren't eligible. Pupil numbers are based on the spring census figures for that year. In addition, schools that haven't yet converted but have a signed academy order by September 1st in the application year are also eligible to apply, provided they convert by April of the following year. Recent updates have extended the eligibility criteria to include non-diocesan Voluntary Aided (VA) schools.