The Haringey Youth Support Fund (Youth Fund) is a small, specific fund to support the health, wellbeing and future outcomes for disadvantaged young people under the age of 18.
This fund complements (but does not replace) the existing statutory and other discretionary support we have available for young people. This includes support through the Haringey Fairer Education Fund and our school uniform clothing grant for children on free school meals.
You can find our Support Fund policy and further information about general support funding for others on the Haringey Support Fund page.
Purpose
We know young people face particular structural challenges which have intensified due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
As part of our wider council commitment to support young people, a small amount of money is set aside within the Haringey Support Fund with the specific intention to support disadvantaged and disengaged young people with their health, wellbeing and future outcomes.
The objective is to help these young people fulfil their potential by supporting them to achieve their goals and live their version of a good life.
Awards will be made where other support is not available. Applications are prioritised where an award is likely to deliver a longer-term benefit to the young person.
Amount of award
The Youth Fund is limited, and awards are dependent on funds being available. No further awards can be made when the fund runs out.
Awards will be the minimum needed to meet the support required and will not exceed £100 per person.
Eligibility
To make the best use of the funds available, support will be prioritised for (but not limited to) the following (in no particular order):
- Young carers
- Children in care
- Children from low-income backgrounds
- Children on a child protection plan
- Other children who may be disadvantaged
Examples of types of support that will be considered include:
- Maximising talent in education, arts and sports
- Clothes for interviews to support employment opportunities
- Keeping young people out of the criminal justice system with diversionary support
- Youth empowerment through education (recognising the impact of COVID-19 on education, learning poverty and the digital divide for those from disadvantaged backgrounds)
Other requests will be considered where the referrer makes a compelling case linked to, for example, maximising employment or education opportunities or reducing disadvantage.
Please check and consider whether the young person’s parent or guardian may qualify under the main Haringey Support Fund scheme where a larger budget can ensure a better outcome for the family
How to apply
Applications can be made via direct referral from council employees and services working directly with young people (including our social workers, Youth Service, staff in Haringey Works etc.).
The Youth Fund aims to provide an extra layer of support to young people when all other provisions have been exhausted by our council services.
It has been agreed that the verification of the young person’s personal and financial circumstances will be undertaken and held by support staff completing the application forms. Any information provided and declared on the form will be treated as verified by the Haringey Support Fund staff.
https://eforms.secure.haringey.gov.uk/ufs/LWAS_HYF.eb