For Parents & Carers
For Parents & Carers
Anyone experiencing hardship may be able to receive support through the Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS), which may be able to provide support for food, fuel, clothes, and other essential household items to families experiencing hardship.
Wider support from a range of partners can then also be made available with NAS working alongside the Children's Services Community and Partnerships service.
Families may get in touch with NAS via their dedicated website which includes an online application form, or if they cannot access the internet, they can call 0344 800 8020.
If you need help with uniform, we have our Pre-loved Uniform Shop. Please contact us with your requirements and we will have a look through the items we have.
A significant number of our students already claim their entitlement and use it every day however, we know that so many more families are entitled to claim and do not.
We recognise that there are often many reasons as to why families do not claim for their entitlement. Some parents may fear being stigmatised for doing so, others may feel that the process of claiming is too difficult.
As a School, we are committed to ensuring that all of our students are receiving the support they need to make their learning journey with us a successful one, whether this is through pastoral support or by providing them with a nutritionally balanced meal at lunchtimes.
If you feel that you may be entitled to Free School Meals or you would like further advice on how to claim or to check your eligibility we would encourage you to get in touch with Norfolk County Council.
Claiming is quick and easy and could mean that you gain over £400 a year in free lunches. As a School, we could gain over £900 to spend on making your child’s education better, meaning that Free School Meals really do benefit everyone.
Interested in finding out more?
To check your eligibility and register for free school meals go to www.norfolk.gov.uk/neo
Families who currently receive Edenred vouchers, through the HSF scheme, will receive their last vouchers in March.
The council's Client Hardship Service (CHS) will continue and there will also be support for families in crisis as part of the new scheme. However, eligibility for free school meals will not lead to automatic entitlement.
Why is this happening?
Since 2021, the County Council has been providing vouchers of about £15 per month per child to families who have children who are eligible for free school meals. This has been possible because of funding provided by government called the HSF. This fund comes to an end on 31 March.
The government is putting a new Crisis and Resilience Fund in place that will start on 1 April. The government's rules for this new fund are different; we cannot use this money to pay for voucher schemes like this.
What happens next?
The council is currently planning for the introduction of the CRF and we will update you when we have more information. We will also be providing an updated leaflet about the support on offer.
The Government is clear that the future scheme must be needs tested and include wraparound support. This means that the current eligibility criteria cannot apply.
NHS Norfolk - Useful organisations for advice
Pharmacy First - Pharmacy First Download
Just One Norfolk and Parentline - Children and Young People's Health Services: Health Advice & Support for Children & Families
Norfolk County Council Early Help - Early help for children and families - Norfolk County Council
Help with living costs - Help with living costs
North Norfolk District Council and website: https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/tasks/projects/cost-of-living/help-with-living-costs/
Client Hardship Service: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/41957/What-the-Client-Hardship-Service-is
Household Support Fund: https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/tasks/benefits/household-support-fund/
Neurodiversity Digital Library: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/nd-digital-library/
Teen body image and self-esteem
Freederm have produced a useful guide for parents which gives practical advice for improving young people’s self-esteem and supporting them as they grow up: https://www.freederm.co.uk/body-image-and-self-esteem/
Parents' Guide to Looking After Your Mental Health
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-guide-to-looking-after-yourself/