Financial support when in hardship

donnap79

Hi my daughter is 12 has an ECHP and has developmental Lanuage disorder I’m trying to get funding to get help towards a laptop we are on low income benefits and she’s going to homework club at school every day after school so not getting any time to social with friends plus she goes handwriting club in school at lunch times and reading club aswell so she doesn’t get any time in school to make friends when she went to the school she didn’t know anyone I’ve noticed she’s now becoming quite and ratty at home I think If we was able to help her do homework at home then she would be able to socialise in school with people instead of investing all her time in to her school work but I’m stuck to how I’d be able to get funding towards a laptop has anyone got any ideas please 

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Have you spoken to her school about this sometimes they loan devices for home use 

poppy123456

Hi,

There's a charity called family fund who help families on low income with disabled children. Have a read through this link and contact them. https://www.familyfund.org.uk/family-fund-support

donnap79

I’ve tried the household support fund apparently that’s for essential items only thank you anyway 😊

janer1967

Just a suggestion but the handwriting club and Reading don't require use of a laptop you could help her do these subjects at home without a laptop 

donnap79

I do get it our daughter doesn’t need it for everything but most lessons the homework is handed in threw teams even if it’s handwritten so that’s why she spends so much time at homework club but if we had funding towards a laptop we could encourage her and help our daughter at home so it can be handed in on teams , plus she will get some free time aswell.

poppy123456

Did you have a look at the link i posted above?

donnap79

Thank you I’ve applied for a form I’ve applied before and got turned down but my circumstances are different this time so fingers crossed 😊

L_Volunteer

Hey @donnap79

I am wishing you the best of luck with it too! Please do feel free to let us know how you get on with it. Similarly, if you stumble across any more questions along the way, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are always here for you and you never have to go through this or anything else alone 

donnap79

Thank you , I’ve contacted my daughters school they’ve said she doesn’t need to attend homework club as much as she does but I know at the moment she is doing so well and is managing to keep on top of her work and while she’s doing ok I don’t want to ruin that but I’m going to apply to family fund even a second one would be perfect as long as she’s able to get her school work done and sent in that’s all that matters 

donnap79

I’ve looked on our county council website and I’ve emailed to see if they are able to point me the right direction where I maybe able to get any help or even if they know of any where that does refurbished laptops because that would be perfect if they did 

poppy123456

Have you done a google search for refurbished laptops? If you haven't then i'd advise you to do that, there's lots available at a very reasonable price. I can't post links to paid products because it's against the rules.

janer1967

I bought a second hand refurbished one for my son £60 it's still working now 6 years on I got it off Facebook selling site 

Danielle_2022

Schools are provided with additional funding to support their SEND pupils, so it could definitely be worth pushing on that. I'm so glad that you're seeing progress in her homework & handwriting, it sounds like it's been really valuable. Another option to consider is Facebook Marketplace, as long as you take all the necessary precautions. There are so often things available for free or at a heavily reduced cost.

Good luck and remember that you're doing a fantastic job. I really hope that it works out for you and your daughter

donnap79

Ah thank you but I’d feel bad askin the school they do so much for my daughter more than is actually written in her ECHP  it’s not a lot more but it’s the little things that make such a difference and my daughter has built up lovely relationships with a couple of the teachers which I didn’t expect so If she’s ever struggling etc even in there own free time they will go out there way to make sure she is ok and I feel they make think I’m takin the school for granted my daughter has come such a long way in 5 months and it’s lovely to see she didn’t really know anyone at the school so we wasn’t to sure how she would find it but the school has gone above and beyond to make sure she settles in ok they do it with a lot of children but I think cause my daughter was really anxious and didn’t know anyone really they got her in to different things which has helped a lot and her reading before she wasn’t very confident and struggled now she’s come along  really well she enjoys reading 

janer1967

The school is there to provide support to enable children to learn and if that means a laptop then they should consider this . They will have a budget for such things so don't worry about asking them 

It should br your first point of contact 

donnap79

Ah thank you everyone 

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @donnap79, just glad to see you feel supported. Have our wonderful community been able to answer all your questions? If you do have any questions you need further clarifying or anything you need further support with, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are always here for you, listening to you, and supporting you! 

donnap79

Thank you I’ve been in touch with a carers support service so fingers crossed 

L_Volunteer

I have my fingers crossed for you too @donnap79. Hopefully, they can help. Please do feel free to let us know the outcome though. Only if you feel comfortable of course, but it would help us to help you through the next steps if you want us to! 

donnap79

Yes of course I really appreciate all the advice I get on here ☺️