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Reducing Parental Conflict: Missing Children & Young People Grant

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking to work with a specialist organisation on a project to explore links between our Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) Activity/Evidence and Children and Young People (CYP – 0-18yrs or up to 25yrs with SEND) who have had episodes of ‘going missing’ from home. We are looking for proposals of small-scale activity which is achievable within the final quarter of the financial year (Jan-Mar 2026).

  • Opening date: (Midnight)
  • Closing date: (Midnight)

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Contents

Summary

We are looking for proposals of small-scale activity which is achievable within the final quarter of the financial year (Jan-Mar 2026). Initiatives are encouraged to cover one or more of the following topics: 

  • With a ‘Parental Conflict’ lens, a review of existing evidence/practice/data held publicly or by your organisation(s) to identify synergy with RPC activity 

  • Exploration of how ‘Return Home Interviews’ can be adapted/used to identify parental conflict and target support.  

  • Identification of further opportunities to expand this area of work based on the information above/leading to longer term projects.

Eligibility

  • Experience in working with Children & Young People (0-18 years, or up to 25 years with SEND) who have had episodes of "going missing from home".

  • Ability to deliver the Grant objectives within the Grant funding period.

  • Ability to access, collect, analyse and maintain data on the target group and share with DWP.

Objectives

Parental Conflict which is frequent intense and poorly resolved contributes to negative consequences for children. The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) Programme has greatly expanded the evidence base of this work, developed local skills and capability, and supported the delivery of parental relationship support to thousands of parents in England. The RPC Programme is interested in further developing evidence and best practice in the area to support local areas to best utilise their relationship support offer within this vulnerable group. This is a time limited exercise with a short delivery window and modest resource scale, intended to facilitate an initial exploration of the links between parental conflict and missing children and young people. All work for this project must be completed by 31st March 2026.  Consequently, we recognise the constraints that may apply to the scope of the project.

Dates

  • Application window: 15/01/26 to 25/01/2026  

  • Application outcome communicated: 27/01/2026

  • Activity period: January to March 2026

  • Grant funding period ends 31/03/2026

How to apply

Please submit your application by selecting Start New Application.

Supporting information

Scoring Criteria 

Criteria/Judgement  & Consideration Points Data Collection - Demonstration of existing mechanisms to collect and analyse appropriate data/information required for the proposed project, and the ability to share it with DWP and Local Authorities.  Plans - Demonstration of clear plans to deliver one or more of the topics covered in the Project Proposal section. Deliverability - Project proposal is deliverable before the end of March 2026 and high-level milestones indicated. Impact on Children, Young People (CYP) and the Family  - Evidence of considered impact on Children, Young People and their Families.

Organisation Readiness Scoring Criteria

Criteria/Judgement & Consideration Points Existing experience of working with the target group - Evidence that the organisation already works closely with the target group (CYP who have experienced periods of going missing and/or work with their families).Engagement with Local Authorities - Evidence of existing relationships working with Local Authority, Early Help/Family Help services to support with their work with missing people CYP/adults. Geographical Focus - Project Focus is predominantly in England. Where activity is outside of England there is appropriate justification.Resources and Toolkits - Evidence of relevant resources or toolkits either already being used or in development. If you have any queries please contact Family.division@dwp.gov.uk