BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme

Objectives of Fund

BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme supports children and young people who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. This Fund is administered by Family Fund Business Services.

This programme provides items for the most basic needs of vulnerable children and young people who may be:

• Living in severe poverty and suffering deprivation as a result.
• Affected by additional social issues such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, estrangement, disability or serious illness, mental health or behavioural difficulties, abuse or neglect.

Value Notes

Where possible, items will be provided directly rather than awarding a cash grant.

Who Can Apply

Applications must be made through an organisation that is supporting the family or young person and is capable of assessing their needs, and that can also administer the grant.

The support is for the following:

• Children aged under 18 years who are experiencing a crisis or emergency.
• UK or EU citizens who are normally resident in the UK.
• Where the child or young person's family do not have access to support and has insufficient resources to meet their needs.
• Where a child or young person's family are experiencing poverty or destitution or receives means-tested benefits.
• Where vulnerable low-income families have been affected by the recent severe floods.

Consideration may be given where a child or young person, or their family, have an asylum application under assessment or in circumstances where residency criteria is not consistent across the family unit.

Due to the high demand for BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials grants, only one application per household within 12 months will be accepted.

The application for each household will take into account the needs of all children under the one application, it does not mean only one child per household can be supported.

Eligible Expenditure

Funding is available for critical household items as follows:

• Electric cookers.
• Furniture, kitchen equipment and small appliances.
• Clothing.
• Baby equipment.
• Fridges and freezers.
• Washing machines.
• Tumble dryers.
• Children's beds and bedding, including cots.

Support may also be available for vulnerable low-income families who have been affected by the recent severe floods.

How To Apply

The programme has reopened and is operating as normal with applications processed within 10 working days.

A tiered strategy has been introduced to ensure the programme’s longevity and to reach underrepresented areas. Each region or nation has a tier allocation, which may be subject to change, as the current funding year progresses. Applicants should check the guidance document for any changes to the tier allocations before they apply.

The guidance notes and online application form can be found on the Family Fund Business Services website. Applications can also be made by post, in exceptional circumstances. Applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines available on the website before applying.