Eligible kids to be given school meals at half-term
PARENTS TOLD TO CALL COUNCIL
HULL families with children eligible for free meals attending East Riding schools can contact the city’s council for support as both authorities continue to plan for February half term.
Hull families with eligible children attending the city’s schools are set to receive a text or email with information on vouchers for half term which begins on Monday, February 15.
A Hull City Council spokesperson said Hull families whose children attend East Riding schools should call the authority to get vouchers after different application systems opened a gap in provision.
An East Riding Council spokesperson said families living in Hull or elsewhere outside the county should contact their own local authorities for support.
East Riding Council applications are only open to county residents while vouchers have been provided to free school meal families directly through Hull schools. It comes as both councils are gearing up to put on support for free school meal families over the coming half term with funding from the government’s Winter Support Grant.
Funding was given to councils to support families over Christmas and the February holiday with meals as well as for heating and bills as the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown continues.
Meanwhile, East Riding councillors heard on Wednesday Department for Education guidance stated hampers should be sent where possible and vouchers used as a term time.
East Riding education and schools lead Deborah Myers told the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee officers were finalising details of support for February.
The officer added the council received one complaint over a food hamper sent to families earlier this month following a controversy which saw images of parcels’ contents go viral.
Ms Myers said: “Any child eligible for free meals during term time is still being provided for during lockdown because we’re committed to making sure they don’t go hungry.
“From Monday this week schools have been able to subscribe to the national voucher scheme offer launched during the first lockdown.
“Caterers have been advising schools on what’s in the hampers to make sure they meet nutritional standards.
“The challenge with the hampers is that £15 a week doesn’t go as far when buying for individual families compared to when schools buy food.
“A tin of baked beans or jar of sauce for example is much smaller than those caterers buy to make food in school kitchens.
“The one complaint we received about a hamper related to a school not following council guidance.
“We’ve got children in the spotlight and we’re working to make sure they’re safe and well fed.”
Hull families with eligible children in East Riding schools can contact the city’s council on 01482 300300 to get support for the February half term. last resort during