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  1. 1. Overview
  2. 2. When will a family be eligible?
  3. 3. When does the exclusion apply?
  4. 4. What support can be provided?
  5. 5. How to make a referral

When will a family be eligible?

A family with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may be provided with accommodation and financial support by children’s social care when a child has been assessed as in need.

In England, support is provided under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Similar duties apply under equivalent legislation in:

  • Scotland – section 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995
  • Wales – section 37 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
  • Northern Ireland – article 18 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

A child is likely to be considered in need if:

  • the family is homeless or at risk of homelessness
  • the parents do not have enough income to meet the family's basic living needs
  • the child has additional needs, such as a disability

When a family requests support, children’s social care will carry out an assessment of their needs, for example a child in need assessment in England or child wellbeing assessment in Scotland. The assessment will consider:

  • the family's housing situation
  • the family's income and financial circumstances
  • the needs of the children in the household
  • any additional support needs

In England, assessments must be carried out in accordance with the government guidance on Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Emergency accommodation or financial support may be provided while assessments are being completed if a family is homeless or unable to meet its basic living needs.

Councils in all parts of the UK can refer to our practice guidance for further information on assessing and supporting families with NRPF.

Families seeking asylum

The Home Office is usually responsible for providing accommodation and financial support to families seeking asylum through the provision of section 95 asylum support.

However, children’s social care may provide temporary support while a family applies for Home Office support. In some circumstances, children’s social care may also provide support to families who are eligible for section 4 asylum support if that support is not yet available to meet the child's needs.

See our information about Home Office asylum support.

Immigration status checks

When a family requests support, councils will need to obtain information about the parent's immigration status. This helps the local authority determine what support may be available to the family and whether any immigration-related restrictions apply. Councils subscribed to NRPF Connect can use the system to establish a person's immigration status.

Page updated: 03 July 2026

 
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Immigration terms

Appeal rights exhausted (ARE)

The status of a person whose asylum or immigration claim has been refused when they have come to the end of the appeal process without success or have no further right of appeal. 
Asylum seeker

A person who has made a claim to the UK government for protection (asylum) under the United Nations Refugee Convention 1951 and is waiting for a decision from the Home Office or final decision from the appeal courts (following a refusal).