Applying for Child Support Grants from The Frank Buttle Trust and BBC Children in Need Small Grants Programme
IMPORTANT – we have recently changed our CRITERIA, please read the guidelines below very carefully before submitting your application.
This page describes the combined eligibility, conditions and process of applying for a grant from either of the two programmes. Please read it carefully to ensure that your client’s circumstances and the item(s) requested meet with our criteria, to avoid making an ineligible application. There is a link at the end of this page where you can request an Email application form, or print a postal form.
Eligibility
The aim of the Trust's Child Support Programme is to help children and young people in desperate need. Grants are intended to make a positive contribution to their lives when their safety, health or development is at risk. The item (or service) to be funded should be critical to the well-being of the child/young person, and items that are merely desirable, rather than essential, will not be eligible for support.
Cash grants provide necessities such as beds, bedding and essential items of furniture and household equipment. The Trust also has an arrangement with Comet for washing machines, cookers, fridges and other white goods that can be delivered directly to applicants.
We do not normally help with debts, childcare costs, holidays and non-essential items. Due to the increase in the number of applications we are receiving, we have reviewed our criteria. We are no longer considering applications for flooring/carpeting, bedroom storage and specialist equipment (e.g. mobility aids, sensory equipment). Applications for clothing will only be considered in a crisis. A grant will not be awarded if the client has had a previous grant from the Trust. Please consider this when applying, to avoid an unsuccessful application.
Cash grants provide necessities such as beds, bedding and essential items of furniture and household equipment. The Trust also has an arrangement with Comet for washing machines, cookers, fridges and other white goods that can be delivered directly to applicants.
We do not normally help with debts, childcare costs, holidays and non-essential items. Due to the increase in the number of applications we are receiving, we have reviewed our criteria. We are no longer considering applications for flooring/carpeting, bedroom storage and specialist equipment (e.g. mobility aids, sensory equipment). Applications for clothing will only be considered in a crisis. A grant will not be awarded if the client has had a previous grant from the Trust. Please consider this when applying, to avoid an unsuccessful application.
We can consider:
- Adopted Children
- Children cared for by grandparents, other relatives or friends
- Children and young people who are aged 18 years and under, cared for by single or two parents
- Estranged, orphaned and vulnerable young people under 21 living independently
Circumstances in which grants may be considered are:
- Illness, distress, abuse or neglect
- Any kind of disability
- Behavioural or psychological problems
- Severe poverty and deprivation
We cannot help:
- We cannot help children who are in care, being rehabilitated home, subject to a Child Protection Plan, or where there is any other clear statutory responsibility
- Young people aged 19 & 20 who do not have full refugee status or exceptional or indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or who are normally resident abroad
- Children living outside the UK
Application Process
All applications are processed by the Trust’s office in the country in which the applicant lives. Applications must be made through a statutory agency or voluntary organisation that is capable of assessing the needs of the child/young person, and that can also administer a grant on behalf of the Trust.
The need for assistance cannot be based purely on financial hardship and applicants must be experiencing additional social problems. The Trust does not accept requests directly from clients, however we are prepared to discuss alternative arrangements in exceptional circumstances.
The need for assistance cannot be based purely on financial hardship and applicants must be experiencing additional social problems. The Trust does not accept requests directly from clients, however we are prepared to discuss alternative arrangements in exceptional circumstances.
EMAIL APPLICATION FORMS
Application should preferably be made using our electronic form based on Microsoft Word. Applying by this method is quick and easy and will ensure that the application is received by the Trust immediately. The data will be checked and transferred to our system electronically. This ensures that urgent requests are not delayed or lost in the post. The agency will also receive a response by email acknowledging receipt of the application.
Please note: Requests for an application form via this method should be sent from an official office email address which must be the one which will be used to submit the application. Requests made from non-secure email addresses (such as Hotmail or Yahoo) will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW CRITERIA (ABOVE)To receive an application form by email click here.
Alternatively send an email to applications@buttletrust.org with the word REQUEST as the subject. This will send the request to us and we will send the application form as an attachment in a return email within 15 minutes.
You are required to request a new application form EACH TIME you wish to submit a new grant request. Please do not overtype or re-use a previous form. This will that ensure you always use the most recent version of the form, and our contact details for you are up-to-date.
POSTAL APPLICATION FORMS
The agency should complete an application form, and provide a supporting statement on headed paper, setting out a full description of the circumstances and explaining how the child(ren) or young person will benefit from a grant. The form should be signed by both the applicant and the referrer and sent to The Frank Buttle Trust office according to the country in which the applicant resides. Address details are given at the end of the form, and on the Contact Us page on this site.
To download a pdf version of the application form to print out click here or send an email to applications@buttletrust.org with the word PDF as the subject
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW CRITERIA (ABOVE)