Somerset Council is to introduce automatic enrolment for free school meals, helping ensure more eligible children receive the support they are entitled to.
Under the current opt-in system, families apply for free school meals themselves. This can mean some children miss out because of stigma, language barriers, lack of awareness, or difficulty navigating the application process. The new opt-out automatic system will see Somerset Council using existing council data where appropriate, and operational checks, to register children for free school meals. When a child is registered for free school meals, schools can also receive Pupil Premium funding, helping provide extra support for disadvantaged pupils and improving educational outcomes.
Lead Member for Children, Families and Education at Somerset Council, Councillor Heather Shearer says no child should miss out on a healthy meal at school because of unnecessary barriers or because their family has not been able to complete an application. We want to make it as simple and dignified as possible for eligible families to receive the support they are entitled to. Somerset Council says subject to further checks and approvals, the new system should be up and running by January next year.
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