Bed Bank Programme OverviewThe Bed Bank Programme is funded by Birmingham City Council (BCC) and provides bed bundles to households experiencing bed poverty across Birmingham. We work closely with Early Help teams to ensure families receive safe, appropriate sleeping arrangements following a home visit and assessment.What Is Bed Poverty?Bed poverty occurs when someone does not have access to a safe, suitable, and age‑appropriate bed and basic bedding. This may include: Sleeping on sofas or floors No bed provision at all Broken, damp, or mouldy mattresses Temporary arrangements such as air beds Children or adults sharing beds inappropriately Beds that are unsafe or not age‑appropriate How to request a bed for a family in need:If you are a school or any organisation working directly with families, you can now submit a Bed Need Form.This form notifies us that a family requires support. Once submitted, the request will be reviewed and assigned to the correct Early Help team for a home visit and assessment.Bed Bank: Bed Need Form What Happens After You Submit a Bed Need Form? Your form is reviewed by the Bed Bank Programme. The referral is assigned to the appropriate Early Help team based on the family’s location. An Early Help Support Worker will: Contact the family Carry out a bed assessment Complete a bed referral Order the required beds during the visit Beds are delivered once the family is confirmed as ready to receive them. Information for Early Help TeamsIf you are not an approved Early Help Support Worker, please do NOT complete the referral form.Any referrals submitted by unauthorised individuals will be automatically declined. Submitting unauthorised referrals can cause delays, be disappointing to families, and may result in families missing out on timely support.Early Help Support Workers will complete the Bed Referral, Order & Readiness Check during your home visit.Key Points for Support Workers: You will receive bed referrals directly from the Bed Bank Programme; not through a Family Connect Form. You complete the Bed Referral, Order & Readiness Check form during a home visit. You will order the beds during the visit once the family is confirmed as ready. If wider needs are identified, follow your normal Early Help safeguarding and escalation procedures. ResourcesThe following resources are available: Spotting the Signs Poster Bed Bank FAQs Bed Bank Communication Poster for Schools Bed Bank Referral Process Overview Bed Bank Programme Referral Guide for Early Help Teams Manage Cookie Preferences