Finding schools and children's services if you're in temporary accommodation

Finding a school

If you are placed in temporary accommodation outside of Tower Hamlets, you may wish to change your children’s school. You and your children may find it tiring if they have to travel for long journeys to school, and it could be expensive.

Many families request transfers to temporary accommodation near to certain schools. We realise how difficult it can be to change schools but, due to a shortage of properties, we are only able to move small numbers of families in particular situations and they have to wait for long periods to move. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider long distances from schools as a special circumstance.

If you need help in finding a new school, you should contact the Education Welfare Service of the local authority you are living in.

To apply for a school place you will need:

birth certificates for the parent or guardian of the child or children
birth certificates for the child or children
confirmation of child benefit award
proof of identify and UK residence
proof of address, such as council tax bill or tenancy documents

Sometimes it can take some time to find a school place so it is advisable to keep your child in their present school until a place is found.

See more information on finding a school.

Pre-school children

For information about services for pre-school children that are available in your area, contact the children’s information service for your local authority.

You can find the details on their website or use the list below for the contact number for the children’s information service in your area:

Tower Hamlets – 020 7364 5000
Newham – 0800 074 1017
Hackney – 020 8820 7590
Waltham Forest – 020 8496 3000
Redbridge – 0800 587 7500
Haringey – 020 8489 1546
Enfield – 0208 482 1066
Barking & Dagenham – 020 8227 2163
Havering – 01708 371991

Within Tower Hamlets, Surestart provide a wide range of advice and services for people with children under five years old - find out more.