Children’s social care will undertake an assessment to determine what support is required to meet a child's needs.
Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may be provided with accommodation and financial support where these are required to meet a child’s needs. Any additional needs identified during the assessment, such as those arising from a disability, should also be met.
Accommodation provided may include:
As support may be needed for a long period while a family's immigration situation is being resolved, any accommodation provided must be suitable for the needs of the child and family.
Councils can refer to our practice guidance on assessing and supporting children and families with NRPF for further guidance on meeting accommodation needs.
Families may also be provided with financial support to meet their essential living needs. This may include:
Local authorities must determine how much financial support is to be provided to each family. This will depend on the family's circumstances, any other income available to them, and the needs identified through the assessment. The support provided must meet the welfare needs of all members of the household. The rate of financial support must also be in line with the legal thresholds.
Financial support may also include the cost of utilities or council tax where these are not paid directly to the accommodation provider.
Payments may be made in different ways, including:
Councils can refer to our practice guidance on assessing and supporting children and families with NRPF for further guidance on meeting subsistence needs.
Depending on the parent's immigration status and circumstances, children’s social care may also need to support families to access:
Page updated 03 July 2026
