Family Support
Dean Taylor Bryant is our Family Support Worker. Please contact him if you need support with any aspect of your child's wellbeing and education.
Telephone - 0121 458 4257 Email - enquiry@westheathprimary.bham.sch.uk
After receiving cabinet approval in April 2024, the Household Support Fund Round 5 is being made available to ease the financial burdens faced by its vulnerable citizens living in Birmingham. The Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, is a fixed amount of money available to the Local Authority to be used to support those households in most need, with essentials such as food, energy and essential goods and supplies including water.
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council’s (BVSC) Hardship Grant Community Fund (HGCF), part of Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) wider Household Support Fund (HSF) activity, will be running until 30th September 2024.
BVSC will be distributing grants of up to £200 to Birmingham households, currently facing financial hardship, with the funds intended to help households with food costs and energy payments.
Applications will be accepted from May 2024, and we will continue to accept applications until 30th September 2024, or until all funding has been exhausted if sooner.
• You must be a Birmingham Resident • You must be experiencing financial hardship, particularly with regards to covering costs linked to food and energy
• Your household must not have received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months*
Please be aware that you may be expected to provide proof of address and proof of means-tested benefits (if you are in receipt of them) in the case that you are invited to apply.
To apply, potential applicants will be required to complete the enquiry form, located on the website below, answering questions aimed at determining your suitability for a grant payment. All applicants will be contacted via email on the outcome of their enquiry and next steps. Alternatively, please scan the QR code, with your mobile phone or tablet camera to open the link and then click on the Enquiry Form tab.
If you are unable to access the website above, then please use the phone number provided below to progress your enquiry.
*Please be advised that each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12 month period. e.g. If you received a £200 payment on 31st May 2023, you cannot make another application until 1st June 2024. Any enquiry received before your eligibility date will be rejected.
The application system actively monitors submitted applications looking for signs of fraud and details of any attempts to make fraudulent applications and/or fraudulently receive grant funding will be shared with West Midlands Police.
Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact on any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to.
Grant payments are made directly into a bank account in the applicant’s name. If you do not currently have a bank account, please click the link below for details on how to open a Basic Bank Account.
- FamilySupport.
- Cost of Living and Fuel Crisis
- Food Support
- Financial Support
- Housing Help
Family Support Parent Link Contact Line For parent advice and guidance on Education Health Care Plan, School Placements, Supporting services: 0121 303 8461
For carers’ advice and guidance: 0333 006 9711
https://birminghamcarershub.org.uk/
Mental health service for young people’s emotional wellbeing is available on: 0207 841 4470
Mental Health Support for Adults Mental health support for adults is available through: 0121 262 3555.
Family lives - Comprehensive online and telephone support for families ranging from pregnancy and birth, early years, education, health and development, teenagers, bullying, family life including stepfamilies and divorce and separation.
- Insulation work to your loft or cavity walls
- Replacing or repairing your boiler or other upgrades to your heating Contact your local council or energy supplier direct.
There is a Birmingham City Council website dedicated to providing support to Birmingham Families, it includes links for: -
- Short term crisis loans
- Money support
- Debt advice
- Foodbank Vouchers
- Job skills & Support www.birmingham.gov.uk/costofliving
Warmer Homes West Midlands
Personalised energy advice service to households struggling to heat their homes. Advice given such as how best to use your appliances and make fuel savings
If your circumstances have changed, for whatever reason, you may now be eligible to claim free school meals. This can be done online.
If you, or someone you know, needs urgent help with food, there are several food banks in the area. See the list below for your local point:
http://b31.org.uk/covid19/coronavirus-1/
There is a local community hub who will arrange food for people. Families can call: 0121 303 1116
This is not a foodbank service but a place in the local community where you can go for a hot meal, connect with your local community, and make friends. There are centres in Longbridge, West Heath and Weoley Castle that are located closest to school. www.foodcycle.org.uk
An app you can download to your phone. You can buy unsold food from shops,supermarkets, cafes and restaurants at a reduced price at the end of every day.
Advice on benefits, debt, housing and other money-related issues 0121 216 3030
Advice on benefits, debt, housing, and other money-related issues 0344 477 1010 www.bcabs.orh.uk enquiries@bcabs.cabinet.org.uk
Prevents homelessness and improves lives by giving advice on housing, homelessness, benefits and debt. Either call or fill out an advice request form on their website. 0121 453 0606 www.theprojectbirmingham.org
Advice and representation to challenge a benefit decision, housing entitlement and access to services including Social care Support 0121 227 6540
0800 328 0006
Investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers 0300 555 2222 www.stoploansharks.co.uk reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.co.uk
This is available for most people for up to three months. Families should contact their bank or landlord to see how to apply (it’s different for each bank so it’s worth checking what your bank can offer).
Free debt help and advice plus emergency support.
0800 138 1111
You can use this website to check which benefits you are entitled to receive. www.entitledto.co.uk
Birmingham City Council Advice on benefits, debt, housing and other money-related issues 0121 216 3030 Shelter This is a Housing and Homelessness Charity that can provide help and support with Council Housing, Private landlords and mortgage repossessions. They have an emergency helpline, webchat service and Online Housing Advice Emergency Helpline - 0808 800 4444 www.england.shelter.org.uk Central England Law Centre Advice and representation to challenge a benefit decision, housing entitlement and access to services including Social care Support 0121 227 6540 enquiries@centralenglandlc.org.uk https://www.centralenglandlc.org.uk/birmingham-housing The Project Prevents homelessness and improves lives by giving advice on housing, homelessness, benefits and debt. Either call or fill out an advice request form on their website. 0121 453 0606 www.theprojectbirmingham.org CAB – Citizen’s Advice Bureau A range of Housing Advice covering Council Housing, Private rented and homeowner
Cost of living support 2023.pdf
Hardship Grant Community Fund.pdf
