Strategic Equity Funding: national operational guidance 2026-2027
Guidance to support local authorities plan how they will most effectively spend their Strategic Equity funding.
Strategic Equity Funding Allocations
How much is it?
Strategic Equity Funding has been provided through the £1 billion Attainment Scotland Fund – to be invested over the course of the 2021/22 to 2025/26 parliamentary term to support education recovery and tackle the poverty-related attainment gap.
All local authority areas have a clear role to play.
Strategic Equity Funding allocations were confirmed over the four year period from the 2022/23 to the 2025/26 financial years, providing clarity to support strategic planning over that period. Allocations will continue at current levels through 2026/27.
Allocations can be found here.
How is it allocated?
Strategic Equity Funding is distributed equitably based on Children in Low Income Families data for the 2019/20 financial year.
By directly measuring household income, Children in Low Income Families data provides a precise count of children impacted by poverty and therefore effectively reflects the needs of individuals in each local authority.
The approaches and enhanced resources supported by this funding must be targeted towards children and young people impacted by poverty, informed by local understanding of local need.