Home Access Grants are a Government initiative, available from 7January 2010, and will allow eligible parents and carers with children in school years three to nine to receive a free computer.
The programme aims to ensure that more children in state-maintained education in England have access to technology to support their learning at home.
It was created out of recognition that there are still a significant number of learners who lack access to a computer and the internet at home and will benefit over 270,000 households by March 2011. This figures is expected to include around 2,000 pupils in the East Riding.
The criteria for the scheme are as follows:
-
Are you a parent or guardian responsible for and living with a child in school years three to nine?
-
Does the child attend school in England full-time?
-
The parent or guardian did not get a computer from Computers for Pupils or a past Home Access programme?
-
In receipt of one or more of the following: free school meals, income support, income-based job seekers’ allowance, child tax credit (but not working tax credit) and an income of less than £16,040, guaranteed pension credit, income related employment support allowance or support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act.
The Home Access packages have been designed with a family's needs in mind and include one year's service and support, pre-set parental controls, installed office productivity suite, firewall and an anti-virus package.
There also will be additional provision available for those learners with complex needs.
People who think they may be eligible for a Home Access Grant, can call Capita on 03332 001004 after 7 January 2010 to receive an application form.
Form processing takes around 10-15 days from receipt by Capita and successful applicants will receive a Home Access Grant credit card, which can be redeemed at selected retail outlets.
For more information about Home Access, call Ben Chappell, teaching and learning consultant for ICT, on (01482) 392439 or email ben.chappell@eastriding.gov.uk
