Skip to main content

Support for families

Page Contents

Find out about the financial help and practical support available for families and during pregnancy. This includes benefits such as parental leave and Child Benefit, grants and vouchers for food and essentials, childcare support, and services for families in Cambridgeshire.

Pregnancy

See what financial help is available when you are having a baby, including information about parental leave, child benefit and other support at Financial help if you have children - GOV.UK.

If you are pregnant or have a child under four, you could get help to buy healthy food and milk

You could also be eligible for a one-off grant

Support if you have children

Best Start in Life has a wide range of information to support you if you have children.

Help is available to families on a low income to support with the cost of childcare and food. If you are on certain benefits, you can apply for free school meals and your child’s school could benefit from extra funding, called pupil premium.

More children from families who would not normally have recourse to public funds could also be eligible.

You could get help to buy healthy food and milk if you have a child under four years.

Find out about the range of support services available to Cambridgeshire families:

50 Things to Do Before You're Five is a resource for free or low-cost events across Cambridgeshire for families with children from birth to five years.

Children's clothing

Some Child and Family Centres offer free clothes swaps to help during those years when children grow out of their clothes quickly. If you have a keyworker, you could ask them about extra help for children’s clothing if you need it. Charity shops often sell pre-loved clothes in good condition. There are also baby banks and clothes hubs that help parents with free or low cost clothes.

Childcare

Visit Family Information Service for information about how to find childcare, understand childcare funding options, find childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and to understand the SEND Local Offer.

To find childcare providers in your area use the Cambridgeshire Online Directory.

Working parents now have more access to free childcare if their child is aged nine months through to four years with Best Start in Life.

Free Childcare for Working Parents: Check if you're eligible - GOV.UK

Some two year olds are entitled to funded early learning and childcare. All children become eligible for funded childcare and early learning places from the school term after their third birthday. If you have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) you may also be eligible.

Some children can access fully funded holiday scheme places offering a range of activities and lunch through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.

If you work and claim universal credit, then you can get help towards the cost of childcare. Working parents could benefit from tax-free childcare to save on costs through Best Start in Life.

There is support available for parents with low-income who are in full-time study which can be found at Parents' Learning Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK.

Carer support

There is support for unpaid carers in Cambridgeshire. You may be a Young Carer, who helps look after a parent or sibling. Or an adult looking after another adult. Or a parent of a child with special educational needs or disabilities. You may be able to get help to increase your income if your caring duties are affecting your finances.

  • Support for Carers will help you find support and information in Cambridgeshire.
  • Young Carers will help you find support if you are a child or young person who cares for family.
  • Age UK is a charity offering information, advice, practical support and social opportunities for older adults across Cambridgeshire.

Disability support

Visit Cambridgeshire Online | SEND Information Hub (Local Offer) to find support available for children in Cambridgeshire with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

 You will find information about local support provision, including Short Breaks. The Family Information Service can help you find childcare options.

Some children with additional needs may be eligible for additional financial support to help with extra costs. Information can be found at Disability Living Allowance (Under 16) (GOV.UK website).