Care to Learn
This is support for teenage parents aged under 20 and asylum seekers under 18 or those asylum seekers over 18 who are Care Leavers. It provides financial support for the costs of your childcare so that you can help continue your education or training. The training you do can be in a school or college, or with a work-based learning provider that receives public funding, and includes young parents continuing with compulsory education.
This funding can pay up to £160 per week per child (£175 in London) to cover registered childcare costs and travel between home and the childcare provider if the cost of the childcare falls below the maximum amount. Funding is also available to cover childcare deposits and registration fees.
Care to Learn is only available for use with registered childcare. Childcare costs are paid direct to the childcare provider and travel costs are paid direct to the learning or training provider.
Discretionary Learner Support Fund (including Discretionary Childcare 20+)
If you are aged 20 or over and are attending a further education college studying on an approved course, the Discretionary Learner Support Fund may be able to help you with a variety of costs, including childcare.
The amount of funding available will vary as each college manages their own procedures and criteria for administration of the fund.
You can apply for the Learner Support Fund at your college by speaking to the student support or welfare officer.
For further information about courses you could receive funding for contact the Careers Advice service on: 0800 100 900
Adult Learning Grant
This is a means-tested allowance of up to £30 per week during term time. If you are aged 19 or over and studying on a full-time further education course that leads to a first full level 2 or 3 qualification, you may be eligible. The grant will be paid for up to two years but can be extended to a maximum of three years. If you are receiving out-of-work benefits, you will not be eligible for the grant.
You can find out about applying for the Adult Learning Grant from the student support or welfare officer at your college or by calling the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989.
For more information or to request an application pack call the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/alg