• Make sure all criteria are met fully before applying
• A separate application must be completed for each child, including siblings 
• Applications run for a maximum of 13 weeks or one term, and a new application is required for further funding to confirm continued eligibility 
• Evidence will be required to support a new application (check the further guidance below)
• Applications for Extra Hands where sessions have already taken place will only be authorised under exceptional circumstances 
• Report any change in circumstances immediately to the Panel Administrator
• Remember to get all the necessary signatures, include all the requested material or confirm you have seen evidence
• Make sure you deal with any funder’s requests for more information quickly, and keep the funder informed of any relevant new changes 
• Provide a clear point of contact (mobile and email address) 
• Submit the application at least three weeks before the proposed start date (applications not received by this deadline will not be able to guarantee the requested start date)

As well as following the above guidelines, if you apply using the paper application instead of the online application, you’ll need to...

• Remember to provide an email address as we will send an email to confirm that an application has been approved.
• Take a photocopy of your completed application before you send it if you fill it out by hand, for reference in case we need to contact you
• Be aware that incomplete or illegible applications will not be considered 

Further guidance 

When applying, proof of employment is required: 

• For first time applications - three months of wage slips for both parents, or correspondence from the employer stating working hours
• For repeat applications - a month of wage slips for both parents
• For those who are self-employed - a self-assessment tax return or Unique Tax Reference if newly self-employed

We will accept photographs of the evidence listed above via email. This information will not be kept once it has been confirmed.

Exemption period for working parents

A temporary exemption period is available for placement which supports families to work if their employment situation has changed. This could be due to reduced working hours or being made redundant. The exemption period would apply for eight weeks from the date that their employment circumstance changed and funding will continue during this time. Panel must be notified as soon as possible for the exemption period to apply.  

Health (physical)

Physical health including illness, obesity, dental health, immunisation, hygiene, diet, sexual health, use of drugs/alcohol, healthy lifestyles, sleeping, exercise, appropriate medical and dental care.

Health (mental/emotional)

Mental/emotional health including depression, self-harm, mental illness, self-esteem, impact of bereavement, PTSD, response to stress, coping strategies, effect on relationships.

Relationships

Quality of relationships with members of the family, siblings, peers, neighbours, other adults, those in authority, friendship patterns, domestic violence, manipulative or abusive relationships, attachments, bullying, empathy, warmth, consistency, supportive, (in)dependence, supporting contact with important relatives and other significant people, ensuring child or young person has secure, stable and affectionate relationships, children’s relationships with others in their community.

Disability or learning needs

Physical or behavioural/developmental, extent, impact of disability on self/other family members, impact on education or work. For an adult, to include mild or more significant disabilities and phobias/addictions, learning needs and their impact.

Caring responsibilities

Responsibilities held by children for other children, parents, other family members, friends, impact of caring responsibilities on learning/training/work, on independence, leisure play and social activities.

Community

Availability, accessibility and standard of amenities (health centres, day-care, leisure, transport, worship), social isolation, discrimination, extent of anti-social behaviour or crime, relationships with neighbours, support for the family from the community.

Development

Physical, social and emotional development, including growth, language skills, self-care skills, regulation of emotions, relationships, self-image and sense of belonging, social presentation, age appropriateness of behaviour/clothes/responsibilities.

Education/learning

Understanding, reasoning and problem-solving, concentration, ensuring school attendance, progress in school/college, special educational needs, participation in learning, attitude to learning, child or young person’s experience of work.

Behaviour

Temperament, self-control, appropriateness of behaviour in different settings, positive role modelling, additional needs affecting behaviour, anti-social behaviour, response to anger, frustration, upset.

Parenting

Providing for the child or young person’s physical needs (food, drink warmth and shelter), ensuring appropriate clothing and adequate personal hygiene, ensuring child or young person is adequately protected from harm, contact with unsafe adults and children, responding and encouraging child or young person’s learning, joining in play, promoting learning opportunities, demonstrating and modelling appropriate behaviour, avoiding over protection, setting appropriate boundaries, effective discipline and shaping of behaviour, providing praise and encouragement, appropriate sensitivity and responsiveness to child or young person’s need, consistency of emotional warmth over time and responding in a similar manner to the same behaviour, childcare arrangements.

Income

Sufficiency of income or benefits, use of resources available to family, ability to budget, effects of hardship, debt.

Training and employment

Qualifications, training undergone, employment and work patterns, family’s attitude to work or the absence of work, barriers to training and employment, childcare arrangements, organisation, basic and other skills, confidence, ability to function well in a work environment.

Housing

Adequacy of living arrangements (size, heating, water, sanitation, cooking facilities), home conditions (cleanliness, state of repair, hygiene and safety), homelessness, hazards and dangers inside and outside the home, pets.