Home Access

Categories: School News

How Home Access works


Home Access is the government programme which will help to ensure that more children in state-maintained education in England have access to technology at home to support learning. The programme was born out of the recognition that there are still a significant number of learners who lack access to a computer and the internet at home. The programme will benefit over 270,000 households that currently lack access by March 2011 and initially the programme will target learners in years 3 to 9 inclusive.

The Home Access programme aims to ensure that it can best meet the individual needs of a variety of learners, as well as taking into account the need for flexibility for local tailoring. To achieve this there are a number of ways in which families can benefit under the programme.

Tried and tested as part of the Home Access pilot in Oldham and Suffolk, the main Home Access programme has been designed based on the principle of choice. Parents apply to a central body for a Home Access Grant and, if eligible, use their grant to buy a compliant package consisting of a computer, internet access, service and support from an approved supplier.

All Home Access packages have been specially designed to provide learners and their families with a safer online experience. Parental control software, comprehensive How to guides and anti-virus software are all pre-loaded onto every machine.

Families that are interested in applying for a Home Access package themselves can do so from January 2010.

Home Access is a government drive which will help low-income families to get access to a computer and the internet to get online at home.

If you are a low income family in receipt of certain benefits you could qualify for a grant to buy a computer and/or a minimum of one years’ internet access. The programme is aimed at those that need it most and targets families that do not have access to a computer or the internet at home.

Depending on what you need, the grant allows eligible applicants to buy one of the following packages:

1. Full package (a computer, one year's internet access, service and support)
2. A computer with service and support only
3. One year's internet access only

If you are a parent and think you are eligible for a Home Access grant, click here to see how to get an application form.

Already got a Home Access Grant? Find out about Home Access computer and internet packages.