Family Early Help
Food
Bridging hotels are full board, and should provide all meals for refugee guests free of charge for the duration of their stay. This includes baby food and baby milk. From 11 February 2022, this excludes snacks.
Accommodation/Shelter
Bridging hotel rooms are free of charge to refugee guests for the duration of their stay.
Toiletries
Hotels were providing a number of items free of charge, but from 11 February 2022 they have witdrawn this provision. Hotel residents are now expected to purchase their own toiletries with their UC funds or ASPEN cards.
Baby Essentials
From 11 February 2022, the hotels are now only providing baby milk and baby formula. The Home Office say they would consider providing sterilising equipment if necessary, but it shouldn't be assumed that this will be provided. Hotel residents are now expected to purchase their own baby items with their UC funds or ASPEN cards.
We can contact other charities and organisations for 0-5s listed here
We may also be able to use the Early Help Material Support Fund in some cases (where families are open to early help). More information here
Clothing
coming soon
Toys
We can contact local charities listed here
We may also be able to use the Early Help Material Support Fund in some cases (where families are open to early help). More information here
Money
From February 2022, all hotel residents should now have been supported to submit an application for UC or have been given an ASPEN card (like a pre-paid debit card) by the Home Office. This means they should now have access to funds.
If a family is experiencing a delay in getting their financial support from the Home Office, or in applying for UC, please contact the Camden support onsite team (contact details here https://ascpractice.camden.gov.uk/early-help-guide/family-early-help-covid-guidebook/afghanistan-crisis-response/key-contacts-hotels-home-office/#main
Laundry
The hotels are providing a laundry service free of charge.
Mobile Phones/Data/SIM cards/Chargers
coming soon
Transport
Children and young people under 18 qualify for free or discounted transport on TFL services. More info here https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel
We may also be able to use the Early Help Material Support Fund in some cases (where families are open to early help) to give pre-loaded Oyster cards to parents for a limited period until they receive their UC or ASPEN card. More information here:
From February 2022, the Home Office will not be paying for any transport to or from appointments for hotel residents.
OLD INFORMATION - LEFT HERE FOR REFERENCE ONLY - DO NOT USE
Here is a list of everything the hotels are meant to provide (September 2021). If you are working with a family who are not receiving these items, please contact the Camden support onsite team (contact details here https://ascpractice.camden.gov.uk/early-help-guide/family-early-help-covid-guidebook/afghanistan-crisis-response/key-contacts-hotels-home-office/#main
