School Meal Debt Fund: report

Supporting families

Support to families

In reporting, local authorities highlighted that it remains essential that any communication on the matter of school meal debt needed to be discreet, mindful of families and the difficult circumstances that they were enduring. Local authorities allowed for personal circumstances to be thoughtfully considered by staff, mainly headteachers, who knew the pupil and their family well. This was felt to be the best approach as staff at school level know the families and are most suited to act appropriately and are able to direct families to additional support where needed.

Local authorities recognised the importance of providing families with differing ways to pay for school meals. An increasing number of local authorities use cashless systems where families can top up their child's account through a digital application. While online payment is becoming the preferred option, schools are still offering those families with no access to digital devices the possibility to pay by cash, card, or cheque. Many local authorities also offer one-to-one help with those families struggling with access to digital systems.

In almost all cases, local authorities reported having information relating to school meals available on their website and through their social media channels. Staff are also available via phone or through face-to-face meetings to offer support and guidance. Some work with local support agencies regarding money management and advice.

Local authorities are looking at innovative ways to minimise the number of application processes for families, as they understand that multiple applications can be stressful and off-putting and may result in families missing out on the support they are entitled to thanks to their receiving qualifying benefits. Some streamlining of the application process through analysis of other benefits means families who may be eligible for FSM are identified sooner.

Other actions

It is clear from reporting that local authorities are considering the matter of school meal debt seriously and in a number of cases were taking extra steps to remove the potential burden on families.

For example, one local authority has taken steps to roll out FSM to all their P1 to P7 pupils funded by the authority, recognising a local policy decision, while another is introducing universal FSM in 2025 to 2026 for P6 pupils. One reported that it has no debt facility in their secondary schools and another is planning to review what constitutes an FSM to avoid debt growing unknowingly for parents, and to explore how the council can absorb the additional costs.

It was highlighted that the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment eligibility for P6 to P7 pupils was benefiting many children who may have previously fallen through the gaps in FSM eligibility.

Some local authorities have reported positive feedback from families whose meal debts have been cancelled, saying that it had helped remove a level of anxiety and stress and helped them to prioritise settling other debt, as well as prioritising applying for FSM.