School clothing grants

Under the Education Act 1996 (Sections 510 and 511), local authorities have the power to provide financial help to parents on low incomes to assist them with buying school clothing for their children.  This is not, however, a statutory duty.

The eligibility criteria for financial help are at the discretion of the local authority.

Harrow's policy

Harrow's policy is limited to parents / carers resident in Harrow with children attending a high school in Harrow .

1.      Clothing grants are only available to parents / carers living in the London Borough of Harrow who receive one of the following support payments:

·         Income Support

·         Income Related Job Seekers Allowance

·         Income Related Employment Support Allowance

·         Support as an Asylum Seeker

·         Children who receive Income Support in their own right

·         Pension Credit

·         Parents in receipt of Child Tax Credit (Not entitled if receiving Working Tax Credit)

2.      Clothing grants are payable for children who are due to start full-time in Year 7 group of a high school in Harrow .

3.      The grant may also apply if the child changes secondary school within the borough between Years 8-11.

4.      Only one clothing grant per child is allowed.

5.      The grant is paid to the parent / carer receiving the support payment, and must be used to buy uniform and footwear approved by the school.

6.      Applications should be made by the end of the Summer Term in order to be processed in time for the start of the new academic year. 

Arrangements 

Applications for school clothing grant are processed via Access Harrow.

For the academic year 2011/2012 the clothing grant will be £25 per child.  Payments will be made by BACS.  Cheques will only be issued if the applicant has no bank account.

Information about applying for school clothing grants will be made available via the Guide to High Schools in Harrow and on the Harrow Council website.

The budget will be reviewed each year and recommendations made to adjust grant levels if required to ensure that the budget is affordable and reflects current demand.

There will be a review of the benefits criteria if the Universal Benefit proposals are enacted.