Steps to Work - Assistance with Childcare Costs

Are you a lone parent or the partner of a benefit claimant and looking for work? Extra money to help with your childcare costs is now available to make it easier for you to take part in Steps to Work and find a job.

Who is eligible for assistance with childcare costs while on Steps to Work?

lone parents participating in Steps to Work
partners of benefit claimants

Assistance may also be available to these groups when participating on other Employment and Training Programmes such as 'Training for Success' and 'Pathways to Work'.

How much will be paid towards childcare costs?

Registered care:

one child - up to a maximum of £130 per week
two or more children - up to a maximum of £240 per week

Care by a relative:

one child - up to a maximum of £70 per week
two or more children - up to a maximum of £100 per week

Who can provide childcare?

Childcare must be provided by :

registered childminders, nurseries or play schemes registered with a Health and Social Services Board
out of hours clubs run by schools on school premises
childcare schemes run on Crown / Government Property
a relative ( a relative is someone who is over 18 years of age and who is the grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle of the child(ren) for whom the care is provided. There are no exceptions to these categories)