This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Service Lead for Early Years and Prevention, Michael Jarrett, for the attention of the all professionals working with children with SEND.
In May the government announced that they were identifying £37.3 million of direct support in 2020 – 21 to the Family Fund for SEND children in England.
The support is partly in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Families can apply to the Family Fund for a grant for items to support their SEND children such as:
- Washing Machines
- Computers
- Educational Toys
- Specialist Equipment
there is a definitive list of what can be applied for on the Family Fund website, click here to read the list in full.
Families can complete an application online, with a separate form for each additional child, and there is a video to support them. https://www.familyfund.org.uk/FAQs/how-do-they-apply
Click here to see the video.
In summary, they are:
- A permanent resident in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- Have current legal residency in the UK and have lived in the UK for 6 months, be eligible to work and apply for funds.
- A parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 and under who lives at home.
- Eligible for and can send evidence of one of the following: tax credits or benefits – Universal credit, Child tax credit, working tax credit, Income based jobseekers allowance, Incapacity benefit, Employment support allowance, Housing benefit, Pension credit.
- Asking for a grant related to the needs of their child, children or young person.
You can fund out more information about Family Fund here.
Read the government press release here.
