Marian Elizabeth Trust grant

Between Monday 3 August 2026 and Friday 4 September 2026 (we may close earlier if a sufficient number of applications are received) registered healthcare and social work professionals can refer eligible families raising a disabled child or young person to receive a grant from the Marian Elizabeth Trust grant programme, administered by Family Fund.

Families can use these grants for what will support their disabled child most – from family breaks, day trips, specialist or sensory items to kitchen appliances, furniture and more.

Funding is available to support families in Liverpool, Wirral, Birmingham, Leicestershire, Rutland and Peterborough.

Eligibility

Before making a referral, the healthcare or social work professional must assess that, in their professional judgement, the child or young person meets the eligibility criteria. This is that: 

• the family lives in one of the areas in England covered by the grant programme (Liverpool, Wirral, Birmingham, Leicestershire, Rutland or Peterborough).
• the child or young person is 21 or under (you will need to know their exact date of birth).
• the child or young person is not in the care of the local authority/foster care. This does not include children who are classified as a ‘Child in Need’ under Section 17 of the Children’s Act 1989 (England and Wales).
• the child or young adult you want to refer has a severe learning disability, additional physical support needs and requires a high level of support such as:
  • limited communication ability or be non-verbal 
  • attendance at a specialist school, or clear eligibility to attend (they may currently not be attending due to availability of places or because they are beyond school age) 
  • a need for personal care for things like eating, washing or dressing

Grants for families

Once families receive the grants, parents or carers can use the funds to purchase a range of items to benefit their disabled child. These include: 

• family breaks and day trips 
• technology 
• clothing 
• beds and other furniture 
• kitchen appliances to make home life easier 
• specialist items and sensory equipment related to the child’s disability 

Referring a family

If you are a healthcare or social work professional and know a family that may be eligible, please contact us by email at [email protected] and we will be happy to explain the next steps.