Financial Difficulties
Parents and carers can struggle to make ends meet, these pressures can affect young people's education, well-being and mental health.
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Impact of homelessness
Impact of homelessness
There are many people who are homeless, even though they go to temporary accommodation, friends or family every night. It’s estimated that about 5% of all children are homeless or at risk of homelessness. For children and young people living on the streets, in temporary accommodation (with or without family) or staying with friends and wider family on a semi-permanent basis (but often using areas not meant as bedrooms), there can be various impacts:
Tiredness due to the inappropriateness of where they are living and the distance they need to travel daily.
Poor self-esteem and self-worth. Children and young people report feeling singled out and labelled as being different.
Poor physical health and educational attainment due to poor diet, tiredness, nowhere to complete homework, etc.
Poor conditions in temporary accommodation - parental concerns about the other people who may be placed there as well. Shared bathrooms and kitchens or potential lack of facilities to wash clothes/cook food.
Stress due to constantly having to move from one accommodation to another, not knowing where they are going after school/college etc.
Risk of exploitation, neglect and abuse.
Impact of poverty
Impact of poverty
Around 30% of children in England are living in poverty, potentially 9 children per class of 30. Poverty can mean that the amount of food available in the home is severely reduced, and essentials, such as heat and bedding, are limited.
Parents may regularly go without to ensure their children can get what they need. The impacts can be like those of homelessness.
Poverty can also mean that children are limited in the activities that they can do, both within and outside of the school setting - this can lead to children feeling isolated and different.
Impact on parenting
Impact on parenting
Parents can be under significant stress either trying to make ends meet, secure permanent accommodation, or both.
They can suffer physical and emotional health problems for the same reasons as the children and young people in their care.
The stress and pressure can also mean that there is risk of domestic abuse and emotional harm, as well as potential absent parenting while they try to do all they can to sort out the situation.
Information, Resources & Support
Information, Resources & Support
BENEFITS
Ensure that all benefits are being claimed this includes:
Council tax support
Housing benefit
Universal Credit
Housing payment
HOUSING
Dorset council have Tenancy Sustainment Officers whose role is to work with struggling households to support them. They can help talk to landlords or lenders and signpost additional support. More information can be found here
Get help with your mortgage If you are struggling to meet your mortgage payments there is advice available to help.
BCP housing and mortgage support can be found here
SUPPORT WITH FOOD
Help is available through food banks, community fridges and social supermarkets.
WARM SPACES
Help and Kindness have been working to map warm spaces across Dorset where you can drop in and keep warm. Help and Kindness
Dorset and BCP Citizens Advice can offer advice and support on:
Money and benefits
Access to food
Housing
Mental Health & wellbeing
Energy, water, phone and broadband costs
Managing debt
Supporting Children
Employment
General help
Dorset Council has joined forces with national charities Shelter and Citizens Advice for the first time to help prevent homelessness in the county. The collaboration will make it easier for people to access help if they are worried about losing their home by having only one point of contact. The new partnership provides a free, confidential and non-judgemental one-stop-shop for anyone with housing cost concerns so please let families know they can call the Housing Advice Line on 01305 221000.
Child Poverty Action Group - Supporting families in times of financial hardship: a guide for schools.
NHS - Coping with financial worries
AFFORDABLE CLOTHES AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS
WATER RATES
Difficulty paying your water bill, Your water provider can offer support if you are struggling to pay your water bills:
visit the Wessex Water website
visit the South West Water website
BROADBAND AND PHONE
Visit the Ofcom website for Information on cheaper tariffs for eligible households.
ENERGY BILLS
ENERGY BILLS
Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills
Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills
Visit the Ofgem website for advice and support with high energy bills.
Energy grants checker - Check your eligibility for energy company grants.
Energy saving advice Dorset council quick fixes and longer term ideas to save energy.
Help and advice from Ridgewater Energy
The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) service is also managed by Ridgewater Energy, and offers a free home visit to eligible residents throughout Dorset.
Healthy Homes - can offer all Dorset & BCP residents free, impartial energy advice over the phone, and eligible residents free loft and wall insulation. Free heating improvements may also be available.Here
Household support fund - If money is a struggle and you are on a low income you may be able to apply.
SOMETHING MISSING?
SOMETHING MISSING?
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