{"id":9226,"date":"2026-08-04T15:38:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T14:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living-2\/?page_id=9226"},"modified":"2026-08-04T15:38:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T14:38:23","slug":"family-support","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/family-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Family support and childcare"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"page-section clearfix text-light\" id=\"block_acf-block-6abb8222060fb\"><div class=\"page-inner\"><div class=\"grid-container\"><div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\"><div class=\"medium-12 large-12 cell\"><div class=\"page-innerblocks\">\n<section class=\"parent-banner clearfix no-padding\" id=\"block_acf-block-6abb82220613b\"><div class=\"banner-outer\"><div class=\"grid-container\"><div class=\"banner-show parent-banner-outer parent-banner-1\" data-aos=\"fade\"><div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x banner-top\"><div class=\"medium-8 large-9 cell medium-order-1 content-1\"><div class=\"banner-content\"><header><h1>Family support and childcare<\/h1><\/header><p>Raising a family can bring\u00a0additional\u00a0costs. Help may be available with childcare, pregnancy and early years costs, health expenses, school\u00a0travel\u00a0and other everyday family expenses.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"page-section clearfix text-dark\" id=\"block_acf-block-6abb822206155\"><div class=\"page-inner\"><div class=\"grid-container\"><div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\"><div class=\"medium-12 large-12 cell\"><div class=\"page-innerblocks\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading section-heading\">Help with childcare costs&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-d5be3348 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may be able to get help with childcare costs through schemes such as Tax-Free Childcare, free childcare&nbsp;hours&nbsp;and childcare support through Universal Credit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The support available will depend on your circumstances and the age of your child.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out more about:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/early-years-and-childcare\/help-with-paying-for-childcare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Help with paying for childcare<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/childcare-and-maternity-costs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Childcare and maternity cost support on GOV.UK<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading section-heading\">Pregnancy and early years support&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old, you may be eligible for help to buy healthy food,&nbsp;milk&nbsp;and infant formula through the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthystart.nhs.uk\/how-to-apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Healthy Start scheme<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also find information about other help available during pregnancy and your child&#8217;s early years at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/childcare-and-maternity-costs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GOV.UK &#8211; childcare and maternity costs<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For&nbsp;additional&nbsp;advice about financial support for families, including pregnancy, childcare and school costs, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/debt-and-money\/cost-of-living\/get-help-with-costs-if-you-have-a-child\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Citizens Advice<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading section-heading\">Family Hubs&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Devon&#8217;s Best Start Family Hubs provide advice,&nbsp;support&nbsp;and activities for families with children and young people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They can help parents and carers access local services,&nbsp;information&nbsp;and support, including help with parenting, child development, relationships,&nbsp;health&nbsp;and wellbeing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out more about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/child-family-support\/family-support\/family-hubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Devon&#8217;s Best Start Family Hubs<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading section-heading\">Home to school transport&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your child may be eligible for free school transport if they attend their nearest suitable school and meet the distance or eligibility criteria.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional&nbsp;support may be available for children from low-income families and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/education\/school-and-college-transport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find out about home to school transport and check eligibility<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading section-heading\">Health costs and support for disabled children&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get help with NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye&nbsp;care&nbsp;and other health costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your child has a disability or long-term health condition, you may also be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out more about:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk\/nhs-help-health-costs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Help with NHS health costs<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/disability-living-allowance-children\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading section-heading\">Save money on family travel&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you travel regularly by train with children, a Family &amp; Friends Railcard could help reduce travel costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out more about the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.railcard.co.uk\/family-and-friends-railcard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family &amp; Friends Railcard<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group quick-links is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading quick-links__heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\" style=\"font-size:1.1rem\">Looking for more support?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list quick-links__list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/benefits-checker\/\">Benefits checker<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/help-with-living-costs\/transport\/\">Transport costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/help-with-living-costs\/\">Help with living costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/help-with-living-costs\/energy\/\">Energy costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/#supportarea\">Help and support in your area<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-54d3af74 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-color:#d8e1e8;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:1.1rem\">Need urgent help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Citizens Advice Devon can help you understand your options and support your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a onclick=\"dataLayer.push({&amp;apos;buttonEvent&amp;apos;: &amp;apos;Information page&amp;apos;});\" class=\"wp-block-button__link has-default-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cabdevon.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact Citizens Advice<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":748,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-landing.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-9226","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-14 06:25:50","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/748"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9226\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/cost-of-living\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}