Grants of up to £2,400 are available to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people who have experienced a recent crisis or change in life that has had a significant impact on their wellbeing and their education.

Applications will only be accepted from frontline professionals working for a registered charity, housing association or public sector organisation including schools and colleges.

We fund items and activities to help improve children and young people’s wellbeing and increase their capacity to engage in education and learning.

Download a visual guide here.

Who can make an application to Buttle UK?

We only accept applications from frontline professionals working for a registered charity, housing association or public sector organisation who:

  • are working directly with the children/young person
  • have made a full assessment of the child’s or young person’s needs
  • have carried out at least one home visit (optional for schools and colleges)

If successful, the professional will need to manage the funds, upload receipts within 8 weeks of receiving the grant, and complete an evaluation survey.

Download our model for a successful grant application here.

Who does Buttle UK help? 

Children aged from 2 to 18 (including 18 year olds) if living with parent OR young people aged 20 and under if living independently with little or no support from their family.

  • The child/young person must have experienced a crisis (see list of crises Buttle UK supports below) that has recently had a significant and enduring impact on:
  • Their wellbeing
  • Their development and education
  • Accessing early, primary, secondary or post 16 education/training for a minimum of 12 hours per week
  • Living on a low income and experiencing financial hardship
  • The family must have taken action to move on from risk or crisis (see list of crises Buttle UK supports below) and be actively engaging with support

Use our short eligibility guide to find out if you and the child/children/young person you are supporting are eligible for a Chances for Children grant.

What crises does Buttle UK support? 

The child or young person must have recently been significantly impacted by one of the following crises:

  • Physical or sexual abuse
    Child or young person has been physically or sexually abused, and are now working with services to support with the trauma they have experienced.
  • Emotional abuse or emotional neglect by parent/caregiver
    Child or young person has been emotionally abused or emotionally neglected by a parent/caregiver over a long period of time, which has escalated to Child in Need/Child Protection level due to the severity of concerns. Cases that have been de-escalated from these levels due to progress being made will also be considered.
  • Domestic abuse
    Child has experienced or been a direct victim of domestic abuse incident/s in the home, that has stopped due to one of the following interventions:

    • fled to a refuge
    • accessed significant support from a domestic abuse agency to ensure their safety
    • had their case heard at MARAC
    • a Child Protection/Child in Need/Early Help plan put in place due to the severity of concerns
  • Suffered violence, severe bullying, harassment or exploitation
    Child or young person has suffered a violent crime, harassment, significant bullying, sexual or criminal exploitation, over a long period of time, either in school, in the community or online, which has led to significant changes in their life, such as Social Care, Police involvement or a school move.
  • Estranged, deserted or alienated from both parents
    Child or young person has very little or no contact with either parents and are supporting themselves emotionally and financially.
  • Has a parent, caregiver or sibling who is receiving end of life care
    A child or young person’s parent/caregiver or sibling is terminally ill, receiving end of life care, usually via a hospice or another health service.
  • Death of a parent, caregiver or sibling
    Death of child’s or young person’s parent, primary carer or sibling.
  • Experienced a sudden and traumatic life-changing incident
    Child or young person is traumatised by a sudden incident which has drastically changed their life for which they are receiving support from an agency working in a related field.

Buttle UK is unable to support:

  • Where poverty, poor housing or homelessness is the main issue
  • Where the main reason is disability, ongoing chronic illness or the additional needs of a child or parent/caregiver. Please see other funders such as Family Fund Disability Grants
  • Where family separation or ongoing contact arrangements are the main issue
  • Looked After Children

What does Buttle UK fund?

We fund a package of support which should include items and activities to help improve children and young people’s wellbeing and increase their capacity to engage in education and learning.

View our Buttle UK guide to items and prices and what we do not fund.

Applications must:

  • Have consent and input from the parent/carer, children or young person
  • Demonstrate a clear assessment of the emotional and learning needs of the children or young person
  • Demonstrate how the items or activities applied for will address these needs
  • Show how the grant fits with other support for the children or young person

Download our model for a successful grant application here.

Please note:

All applications are reviewed on the information provided.

Incomplete applications may be declined or delay assessment.

Our support is complementary to statutory funding and not a substitute for it.

We always expect that statutory funding has been exhausted first.

We have a limited budget and will sometimes have to turn down grants that meet the criteria.