Up to £300,000 to be put towards ‘Beds for Babies’ scheme in South Yorkshire
The initiative, launched in June 2024, aims to ensure every child aged five and under in the region has a safe, clean place to sleep.
Up to £300,000 is set to be redirected to support a South Yorkshire wide scheme providing safe sleeping spaces for young children, after demand exceeded expectations.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has approved plans to reprioritise funding within its existing 2025/26 budget to sustain the “Beds for Babies” programme.
The initiative, launched in June 2024, aims to ensure every child aged five and under in the region has a safe, clean place to sleep.
The latest figures from the scheme’s delivery partner indicate demand remains high, with current funding projected to be fully committed by August 2026, around 19 months earlier than originally planned.
Officials said the additional funding would act as a short-term measure to manage demand during 2025/26, with a maximum allocation of around £300,000.
The proposal was recommended for approval by the SYMCA Investment Board in January and formally signed off by a Section 73 Officer on March 23.
Funding will be reallocated from within the authority’s existing strategy, collaboration and culture budget.