Home Acces to Computers

Receive a free computer for your family.
To find out how to apply please phone: 0333 200 1004.
For further information please visit: www.homeaccess.org.uk

Home Access is a 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. Evidence has suggested that learners who use a computer at home for schoolwork are more likely to gain over five GCSEs and one A-Level, and improve the grades attained.

From 7 January, the Home Access programme will provide eligible families with a computer, pre-installed applications, one year’s broadband connectivity and one year’s full service and support.

All your family could need

The Home Access packages have been designed with a family's needs in mind. They include one year's service and support, pre-set parental controls, installed office productivity suite, firewall and an anti-virus package. They also include the award-winning eSafety guide Know IT All for Parents, enhanced warranty and reinstatement service in the event of theft, and educational guidance delivered with every package. All computers come with the dedicated Home Access website to help ensure families realise the benefits of home access.

Recognising that some learners will require additional support, assistive technology will also be made available. All of the Home Access packages come pre-loaded with a suite of assistive technology software that has benefits not only for learners, but for their families too. There will be additional provision available for those learners with complex needs.

What’s in the package?

• A portable or desktop PC
• One year broadband connectivity
• One year service and support
• Parental controls and pre-installed software

Home Access packages will support the wide range of functionality that learners require, including the following:

• the ability for learners to create, edit and save word processor, spreadsheet and presentation documents that are fully interoperable, meaning that files created at home can be used at school and vice versa.
  
• the ability to browse the internet through an internet browser with all necessary media plug-ins to support the latest rich media formats, such as DVD video, MP3 audio and on demand services like TV and streaming video. This browser support can also provide access to the school or local authority learning platform.
  
• an assistive technology software package that should help the majority of learners with additional needs, addressing as an example, literacy issues, as well as having potential benefits for other members of the family. This is provided free of charge to all Home Access Grant recipients and at a highly reduced rate to those buying without grant assistance.
  
• pre-configured parental controls in order to provide as safe an environment for the learner as possible.

“Home Access aims to provide practical and financial support to low income families who may not be able to afford a computer or the internet. We will support these families to ensure that the educational and social benefits of 21st century technology are available to them”
Diana Johnson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools

“The Home Access scheme has made a big difference to us because  it means we have got access to the internet when we need it, not just when we can get it at the library. I used to be worried about Evan getting left behind. It’s been a big change because I can just look up jobs or apply to different courses and just do lots of things that I wouldn’t have been able to do”
Rebecca, Parent, Oldham