This second period of lockdown is a difficult time for families. Emergency food assistance and early help is available for families you are working with.

Birmingham City Council has announced £100k to be distributed in localities, and free school meals vouchers that are being sent direct to schools by Sodexo.

Locality early help

If frontline staff are working with a vulnerable family that requires some extra help or has complex needs, then please get in touch with a Locality Lead:

1. Please complete a simple online Family Connect form
2. This will enable other professionals to connect to the family too
3. The Locality Lead can provide emergency financial aid for food to the family
4. Together we will be able to provide the support needed to get the family back on track and more resilient.

Over time, we’ll roll-out a new case management system that will be available for all professionals working in early help, that will make it even easier to connect professionals together around a family. This is part of the Birmingham Children’s Partnership transformation for children and families.

Free school meals vouchers

Birmingham City Council has ordered one week of vouchers through Sodexo for children eligible for free school meals. These will be distributed to eligible families by schools from Monday 16th November.

From Birmingham with Love

Finally a reminder that there is a lot of other early help in the city for all young people and families. Please share the From Birmingham with Love leaflet and details with all families as everyone needs a little help right now. The pack includes a voucher worth £86 for parenting support, online mental health support and advice and guidance about food banks, money, etc.

Birmingham Children’s Partners are relying on everyone working with families to support them through these difficult times, we are all part of the early help system for families.