Grant criteria
Individually tailored grants of up to £2,400 — for children and young people rebuilding after crisis.
Our grants give children and young people the things that matter in childhood, right when they need them most. Each grant is tailored, intentional and designed to support those who have experienced a recent crisis. One that is having a significant and lasting impact on their wellbeing and engagement in education.
Grant amount: up to £2,400.
Contact us: 020 7828 7311
What is a Buttle grant?
A Buttle grant delivers individually tailored support for children and young people whose lives have been disrupted by crisis. These grants fund the items, opportunities and practical essentials that restore stability, rebuild confidence and help young people reconnect with education and learning.
This can include essentials for the home, tools for school or college, wellbeing support and activities that help a child feel like themselves again.
Who can apply?
Applications can only be made by frontline professionals working for a:
- registered charity
- housing association
- public sector organisation
Professionals
must:
- work directly with the child or young person
- have completed a full assessment of their needs
- have carried out at least one home visit (optional for schools and colleges)
If a grant is awarded, the professional is responsible for:
- managing the funds
- uploading receipts within eight weeks
- completing a short evaluation survey
If successful, the professional will need to manage the funds, upload receipts within 8 weeks of receiving the grant, and complete an evaluation survey.
Who we support
We can support:
- children aged 2–18 (including 18-year-olds) living with a parent or carer
- young people aged 20 and under living independently with little or no family backing
The child or young person must have:
- recently experienced a crisis (see list below) that has recently had a significant and enduring impact on their wellbeing, 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 (evidence may be requested)
- The family must have taken action to move on from risk or crisis (see list below) and be actively engaging with support
Crises we support
The child or young person must have been significantly affected by one of the following:
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.
Who we are unable to support
There are some instances where Buttle will not be able to provide support, including:
- Where poverty, poor housing, poor home condition 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 we 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.
You can read our guide to items, prices and what we do not fund here.
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
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.
Ready to make your application?
If you’ve read our criteria above and are ready to apply, use the button below
Apply now