Ellie Ames 28 June 2024

Middlesbrough to trial auto-enrolment for free school meals

Middlesbrough to trial auto-enrolment for free school meals image
Image: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Eligible children in Middlesbrough will be automatically signed up to receive free school meals from September.

Middlesbrough Council is launching a pilot scheme that will see automatic enrolment act as a ‘safety net’ for children whose families do not sign up for the free meals.

Parents will still have the option to opt out.

The council said reasons for families not claiming free school meals included the process of applying, low levels of literacy, language barriers and stigma.

A sample of 60 Middlesbrough households found 11 eligible families were not signed up for free school meals, and the council said this meant schools were missing out on thousands in related government support.

According to a council report, £3.8m has been generated in pupil premium funding since automatic enrolment was introduced in Sheffield in 2016.

A joint director of public health for South Tees, Mark Adams, said: ‘We want to ensure as high a take-up as possible for free school meals, so that eligible children are getting access to a healthy meal that is so important to their development.

‘Confirming eligibility for free school meals has the additional benefit of securing pupil premium funding for the child’s school.

‘Our schools do incredible things for the town’s young people and we want to support them as much as we can.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Repairs Co-Ordinator

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Be the heart of our community - help us keep homes safe, warm and well-maintained.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we believe th England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Museums Operations Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP26 - 31 (£36,124 - £40,476) per annum
Sandwell Museums is looking for an experienced and motivated Operations Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Regulation and Compliance Assistant - WMF2056e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586 pro rata
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Licensing Team within Westmorland and Furness Council Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Community Finance Officer - WMF2059e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£33,366 - £34,314
You will be working in a busy operational finance service Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£7.55 per hour
Apprentice Teaching Assistants Temporary – 15 month Apprenticeship Contact Full Time – term time only plus 2 weeks £7.55 per hour Start Date
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner