Please find below a number of frequently asked questions regarding the Healthy Settings Award and the application process. If you cannot find the answer to your question below please email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
You can apply for the Healthy Settings Award by completing the application criteria online. Applications must be completed for a minimum of two areas to apply for an Award (see Criteria for achieving a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award).
You can save draft copies of your applications and come back to them later. When you are ready to apply press the submit button for the relevant application area.
To eliminate one setting having duplicate applications and due to the evidence required for each award applications can only be completed online.
Yes, you will need to register and log in before you can apply for the Healthy Settings Award. Settings can only create one user account for their organisation. This is to ensure that duplicate applications are not made. Settings should make local arrangements to agree which person/s will complete the application areas and how the user account details are shared.
If an account has been created for your setting but you cannot identify who set up the account, or the account holder has left, please email healthysettings@dudley.gov.uk
This should be agreed within your setting and could be one person, or a number of different people; however, only one user account can be created per setting. Local arrangements should be made to agree how the user account details are shared.
Yes, the application can be completed by one person or a number of different people; however, only one user account can be created per setting. Local arrangements should be made to agree how the user account details are shared.
There is no charge to apply for the Healthy Settings Award. However, in order to meet some of the criteria your setting may need to make changes and/or implement initiatives that require some investment. Any costs associated with meeting the criteria should be covered by your setting. Where we are aware of support such as free training and resources, external funding etc. we have highlighted these in the guidance.
The time taken to complete the Healthy Settings Award will vary between settings. In particular it will depend on which level of Award you would like to apply for and how many of the criteria you are already meeting. You can also speed up the process by reading through the criteria fully and gathering as much information as you can before you start your application.
There are three Award levels available:
Applications must be completed for a minimum of two areas to apply for an Award.
*Criteria for ‘Emotional health and mental wellbeing’ and ‘Relationships’ have been combined for Early Years settings as at this age there is considerable cross-over between the criteria in these areas.
Yes. If you submit your application/s for additional areas, and meet all the criteria required, your Award level will be updated. However, your Award expiry date will remain based on the date of your initial application. This is to ensure that the whole Award reflects up to date and accurate evidence. You will be contacted when your Award is due for renewal.
The Healthy Settings Award is valid for 3 years. You will be contacted when your Award is due for renewal and invited to re-apply. You will be given the option to edit the information in your previous submission or create a new submission.
Guidance is available to help you complete the applications. The guidance will explain what type of evidence is required to demonstrate you have met the criteria. Hover over the ‘information’ button to view the guidance. For some criteria, additional resources are also available. These resources may include:
Yes, there is a ‘save draft’ option for each application area. You can return to your draft application as many times as you like and there is no specific time limit for submitting your application. However, when submitting your application you must ensure your evidence is up to date and accurate. We recommend that you read through the criteria fully and gather as much information as you can before you start your application.
The Public Health team will review your application within 4 weeks. Once your application has been reviewed you will be notified by email and will be asked to log in to view the status of your application.
If additional evidence is required before issuing your award, the team will leave comments on the relevant section(s) of your application form. You must provide the additional information within 4 weeks. If you do not currently meet the criteria for an Award you will be provided with feedback and invited to re-apply after a period of 2 months.
The Public Health team may request a visit to your setting at any time to verify the information provided.
Achieving the Healthy Settings Award demonstrates a commitment to health and wellbeing through a whole setting approach and gives you, your staff and families confidence that you are providing a healthy setting for all your children and young people.
Every setting that achieves the award will receive recognition on the award website, school bulletin or jigsaw newsletter and council social media accounts.
Settings will also receive an electronic award logo for use on their website and other promotional materials along with a framed certificate.
You can contact the Public Health team by email at healthysettings@dudley.gov.uk.