Funding for extra support for vulnerable children

Fourteen projects across the country that tackle the increased risk some children face as they stay at home during lockdown will share more than £12 million funding.

This will include money to pay for individual support for families at risk of domestic abuse, community volunteers to work with families, and continued support for teenagers at risk of exploitation.

The money will benefit children in care and care leavers, and will be used to also support vulnerable children’s mental health and to provide practical and emotional help. This includes a package of funding to give young people in some project areas unlimited data on their phones for three months so they can stay connected and prevent them suffering from isolation.

Funding will go towards teenagers across North London who experience multiple risks, bringing together NHS, social care, police, criminal justice and third sector services under one roof to support children and families affected by child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Money will also go to a domestic abuse programme in Newham that works with whole families to reduce the chances of violence from happening in the first place through early intervention.

For children in care, there are various programmes around the country to build lasting support networks for children and families in the care system including foster parents, to prevent social isolation at this time, as well as finding homes for young people leaving care.

For mental health support, families in Camden will receive a range of services from which families choose the ones they want to rely on, including mediation, mentoring, family therapy and youth support.