Help with school costs

Information on help to pay school costs, such as uniforms, school meals and transport.

We understand that the costs of children returning to school can be a worrying and expensive time for many kinship families. You may be entitled to extra help to pay for school uniforms, free school meals, transport costs and childcare costs.

School uniform

You may be able to get help with school uniform costs, depending on where you live.

Help in England

In England, individual councils can decide whether to offer a school uniform grant. Therefore, you will need to contact your local council to ask if they provide extra school uniform support.

Many councils set their own deadlines, but applications open by the end of June and stay open until the end of September. Applications should be made directly to your local council.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

If you are not eligible for a grant, you can approach the school directly.

Help in Wales

If you live in Wales, you might be eligible for a Pupil Development Grant. Families are only entitled to claim once per child, per school year.

Many councils set their own deadlines, but applications generally open by the end of June and stay open until the end of September. Applications should be made directly to your local council.

Find your local council (GOV.WALES)

If you are not eligible for a grant, you can approach the school directly.

Supermarket uniforms

Many supermarkets sell generic plain-coloured uniforms. If you need a logo on the uniform, you can sometimes buy these separately and iron the badge on to the uniform yourself, which can work out cheaper. You will need to check with the school first to make sure they allow for generic uniforms.

Second-hand uniforms

In most local areas there are second-hand school uniform sales, that normally happen a couple of times a year. Ask your school about this. Additionally, you can check online groups or other online marketplaces, such as eBay and Facebook.

Help with school transport costs

Local councils provide help with the costs of travelling to and from school.

Find out if your child is eligible for help with the cost of school transport through your local council website (GOV.UK)

Free school meals

Schools must provide some children with a free meal at lunchtime. There are different schemes for free school meals in various parts of the UK.

Free school meals in England

In England, if you have children at a government-funded school in reception, year 1 or year 2 they will be entitled to free school meals regardless of your household income. Find out if your child is eligible for a free school meal through your local council website.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Free school meal in Wales

In Wales, free school meals are available to eligible children who attend a maintained school. Universal primary free school meals are currently being rolled out across Wales, starting with the youngest learners.

Find your local council (GOV.WALES)

Help with childcare costs

For many kinship carers, childcare is an essential part of your support network. Financial help is available. The kind of childcare you can access depends on how old your child is, your family’s needs and your financial circumstances.

Explore all childcare options on the Childcare Choices website (GOV.UK)

Grant Search

If you are unable to get help from your local council or government fund, you may be able to get help through a charitable grant.

There are certain charities which give cash grants that do not have to be paid back, and many of these charities help with school costs. You can use the Turn2Us Grants Search tool to find out if you or your child is eligible for any grants.

Support from Kinship

We know that many kinship carers worry about money and paying for those everyday costs that come with caring for a child. Our team understand the benefits system and will be able to give you the right advice for your situation.

We offer a range of free support for all kinship carers, including workshops, online advice and information, and peer support groups.

Contact our advice service to speak to an adviser or book an appointment.