We connect schools with brilliant local youth specialists; handling the compliance, admin and fundraising so both sides can focus on what matters.
Brilliant youth workers are out there. Schools are desperate for their help. But between the two sits a wall of compliance checks, short-term grant cycles and administrative burdens that neither side has the capacity to climb. So partnerships fall through, and young people miss out.
"We knew exactly the kind of support our students needed. We just couldn't get it through the door."
— Deputy Headteacher, Redbridge · East LondonKeeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) requires schools to exhaustively vet every external provider. It's the right call — but an enormous burden on staff who are already managing rising demand with flat budgets. So the easier answer is: say no.
Most grants in the youth sector last under a year. Small providers spend nearly half their time writing bids, chasing invoices and keeping the lights on. When a grant ends, vital relationships with young people are cut overnight.
"For years, I was doing impactful work in communities while carrying the weight of everything alone. I want to create the kind of support, connection and backing I wish I'd had myself, because no-one doing good work should have to do it on their own."
Marcus, Director of We are no different - CAN Delivery PartnerThe problem isn't a lack of talent, dedication or need. It's a structural gap — no coordination layer connecting schools, providers and funders in a way that works for all three.
That's what The CAN was built to be.
Brilliant youth workers, passionate school leaders and socially minded funders already exist. The CAN is the missing link that enables them.
The CAN acts as a structural shield between schools and providers; absorbing the compliance, admin and fundraising weight so neither side has to carry it alone. Schools get funded programmes delivered by vetted, high-quality specialists. Providers get stable income and room to grow. Young people get consistent, trusted support.
Every delivery partner in our network is vetted to KCSIE standards: enhanced DBS, safeguarding certification, professional indemnity insurance, safer recruitment trails — all in place before anyone crosses your threshold. We handle multi-agency funding bids, bookings, timesheets and quality assurance. One relationship, not six.
"It was the first time someone came into school who actually got what I was going through. Not in a textbook way, for real."
— Year 10 pupil, [School name] · placeholderWhether you're a school, a youth provider or a funder — the CAN has a route in for you.
Get vetted specialists into your school — fully funded, KCSIE compliant, zero admin overhead. You tell us what your students need. We handle everything else.
See school programmes →Stable income, a network of peers and business support — so you can do the work you came to do. We write the bids, manage the admin and open the school doors.
Join our network →Your capital goes further through a central, accountable hub. A verified 3:1 SROI, clear evidence of impact, and the governance to back it up.
See the investment case →A two-minute expression of interest tells us what your students are dealing with and what support would make a difference.
We match your needs against pre-secured grant and corporate funding pools — and handle the bid if a new source is required.
Before delivery starts, you receive a complete compliance pack to instantly update your Single Central Record. Nothing to chase.
Your sessions run. We manage the timesheets, logistics and invoicing. You focus on your students.
Whether you're a school, a provider or a funder — we'd like to hear from you.
hello@thecancic.com · 330 High Holborn, London WC1V 7QH