Medr/2026/40: Mental Health and Wellbeing Staff Training Fund Adult Community Learning

Introduction

1. This publication sets out a one-off allocation of £57,200 to support investment in training for Adult Community Learning (ACL) staff, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing which should be completed between July 2026 and February 2027.

2. For the purposes of this funding, Adult Community Learning refers to provision delivered by providers who are allocated Community Learning Grant. This provision offers part-time learning opportunities from Entry Level to Level 2 for learners aged 19 and over and is typically delivered in community settings.

3. This funding supports:

• Implementation of the Staff and Learner Welfare Regulatory Condition, which requires providers to have effective arrangements, including policies, procedures and services, that promote and support staff and learner wellbeing and safety using ongoing self-evaluation to identify strengths, gaps and emerging risks to plan activities; and
• Medr’s Common Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework provides a shared approach to mental health and wellbeing across tertiary education in Wales. It supports the development of a Support Map that helps learners access appropriate support, from early intervention through to crisis response. 

Allocation

4. A total of £57,200 is allocated equally across providers delivering Adult Community Learning as set out in Table 1.

5. While Adult Community Learning funding is allocated on a formula basis, this fund is distributed on an equal basis across providers. This reflects its purpose as a one-off intervention where a minimum level of resource is needed to enable meaningful staff training activity. An equal allocation approach ensures consistent opportunity for participation and avoids very small allocations that would limit impact, particularly for smaller or more rural providers.

Table 1

Local Authority	Total allocation
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council	£2600
Bridgend College	£2600
Caerphilly County Borough Council	£2600
Cardiff Council	£2600
Carmarthenshire County Council	£2600
Ceredigion County Council	£2600
Conwy County Borough Council	£2600
Denbighshire County Council	£2600
Flintshire County Council	£2600
Gwynedd Council	£2600
Isle of Anglesey County Council	£2600
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council	£2600
Monmouthshire County Council	£2600
Neath Port Talbot County Council	£2600
Newport City Council	£2600
Pembrokeshire County Council	£2600
Powys County Council	£2600
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council	£2600
Swansea Council	£2600
Vale of Glamorgan Council	£2600
Torfaen County Borough Council	£2600
Wrexham County Borough Council	£2600

Use of funding

6. Funding must be used within the 2026-27 financial year, for mental health and wellbeing training activity delivered between July 2026 and February 2027.

7. Training activity for ACL tutors and staff could include:

• recognising and responding to mental health needs of staff and learners
• embedding trauma-informed approaches;
• understanding escalation and safeguarding routes (excluding mandatory training).

8. Eligible activity includes:

• development or procurement of training programmes (external providers or partnerships);
• bilingual training resources;
• payment of staff hourly rate to take part in training.

9. Funds cannot be used on capital expenditure (e.g. equipment) or to directly fund delivery of clinical or specialist therapeutic services for staff or learners.

10. To make best use of funding and support local and regional priorities we encourage working collaboratively, including with other ACL providers and ACL partnerships where appropriate.

Monitoring

11. Local Authorities must submit a Certificate of Expenditure (annex A) to reclaim funding.

12. The Certificate of Expenditure asks for a breakdown of expenditure between:

• Staff costs (e.g. tutor release / hourly paid tutor time)
• Payments to training providers / external delivery

13. Reclaims will occur in March 2027. Certificate of Expenditure must be submitted before 19 February 2027 to [email protected].

14. No additional end-of-year report is required. Medr will engage providers through the Adult Learning Partnership Network to share learning, understand impact and inform continuous improvement.