The chief executive of the organisation is urging those with concerns about buying uniforms or equipment to get in touch, as pupils are due to return for the new term in just a few weeks’ time.
Malcolm Ferey, chief executive of Citizens Advice, has revealed that a number of parents have approached the organisation for help because they did not know how they were going to pay for new items.
He is expecting more struggling parents to come forward in the coming weeks, but has urged them not to panic and has issued advice on other ways to kit children out ahead of the new school term.
He said: ‘This is around the time when we see more parents come forward with issues. Some parents come to us and don’t know how they are going to afford uniforms and equipment for their children.
‘We get a lot of people coming into the office to see us, but there are other ways around it and people don’t need to worry about buying new things.
‘A lot of schools have projects where they have second-hand uniforms that are in perfectly good condition, so I would tell parents to look into that at their schools.
‘And there are a couple of charities we refer people to who are very generous and have the equipment that pupils need for the new school year.
‘So if people are struggling they can come to us and we can refer them on to these particular charities.’
Some families may also be eligible for financial help when it comes to purchasing new uniforms.
For more information or apply for help with uniform costs go to gov.je/Education/Schools.
