/Our services (A to Z)/0 to 19 public health integrated nursing service (0 to 19 PHINS)/Family support: Housing, money and essentials
Family support: Housing, money and essentials
This page is for families who need help or advice with housing problems, money worries or food support. You can use this page to find out where to get help, what different services do, and how to contact them if you need support.
Support for families
When we see you, our 0 to 19 practitioners will talk with you about your family’s wellbeing, including your home, money situation and who lives with you. This helps us understand what is going well and whether there is any support you may find helpful.
We also offer support around home safety for your child.
We ask everyone these questions so we can offer the right advice at the right time. (See our main service page for when you can expect to see us.)
Services that can help with:
- Housing advice and support
- Money and debt worries
- Food support, including food banks and community food hubs
- Budgeting help and practical resources
The Leeds City Council website is the best place to visit for support, as it includes the most up‑to‑date information on local services like housing, council tax, benefits, schools, bins, and much more.
Families can use the site to find help, apply for services, report issues, and get guidance, all in one easy‑to‑use place.
Please note that the 0 to 19 Service will always listen and offer guidance, but we cannot provide housing letters.
Supporting information
- Leeds City Council Housing: The Leeds City Council housing page offers different types of help if you are homeless, worried about losing your home, or need advice about housing.
- Leeds Housing Options: Call 0113 222 4412 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, except Tuesdays open from 10am)
- Emergency out of hours: Call 0113 378 8366
- West Yorkshire Healthier Together Housing page explains how a child’s health can be affected if their home is cold, damp, mouldy or unsafe.
- The Private Rented team will support private tenants in Leeds with landlords failing to do repairs. Call 0113 3784699 or email prs.housing@leeds.gov.uk
- Safe and Well Visits are free home safety checks from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. They help make your home safer and reduce the chance of a fire. You can request a visit by filling in the online form on the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service website.
- Engage Leeds is a city‑wide housing support service. They offer one‑to‑one housing support, help with homelessness, tenancy problems, repairs, benefits, money worries, and other housing‑related issues. Families or professionals can make a referral online, and the team will contact you to offer support.
- Our Way Leeds (OWL) is a city‑wide housing support service for young people aged 16 to 25 in Leeds. They offer advice, emergency accommodation, supported housing, and one‑to‑one help with things like work, skills, benefits and wellbeing. You can self‑refer or be referred by a professional.
- RoSPA is a UK charity that works to stop accidents and help people stay safe at home, on the road, at work and during leisure activities. Its aim is to create a life free from accidental injury.
- Leeds Welfare Rights offers free, confidential and impartial advice to help people understand and claim welfare benefits.
- Phone: 0113 376 0452 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 4:30pm, Wednesday from 10:15am to 4:30pm)
- Textphone for deaf or hearing loss: 07860 034 964
- Email: rights@leeds.gov.uk
- Leeds Baby Bank is a charity that helps families in Leeds who are struggling by providing free baby essentials. Their aim is to make sure no child goes without. Families cannot self‑refer, support comes through health visitors, midwives and other professionals.
- Money Buddies is a free, confidential and independent service that helps people in Leeds and West Yorkshire with money worries, debt, benefits and budgeting. They help you maximise your income, deal with creditors, save money on energy, and get support during a financial crisis. They can also help with filling in benefit forms, appeals, and finding ways to make your home more energy‑efficient.
- StepChange is a national charity that gives free, confidential help to people with debt and money worries. They offer expert advice on how to deal with debt and can help you make a plan to get back in control of your finances.
- The Leeds City Council help with food and bills page explains where to get help if you are struggling to pay for food, rent, energy bills or other household costs. It includes support for emergencies, advice on lowering food costs, and guidance on benefits and household bills. Emergency help: You may be able to get food, fuel or essential items through the Local Welfare Support Scheme if you are in crisis.
- The Leeds Food Aid Network page lists food banks and other support for people who need emergency food in Leeds. It explains that most food banks use a referral system. Contact Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 208 2138 who can help with food bank referrals or speak to a professional (for example, support worker, school or nursery 0 to 19 practitioner).
- Healthy Start Vouchers
- Free school meals: If you are on benefits or a low income, your child may be able to get free school meals including:
- Nursery children (if they attend full days in a school‑run nursery).
- All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 automatically get free school meals through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme (no application needed).
- Year 3 and above: Children can get free school meals if their parent or carer receives certain benefits.
- Children who get free school meals in primary school will continue to get them in secondary school.
- If you think your child may be eligible, you can apply online using the form on the Leeds City Council website
