Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Disabled kids denied free school grub
EXCLUSIVE
ONE in three disabled children are missing out on free school meals.
Some have sensory or dietary needs which stop them using school canteens.
Others are off ill or are taught at home – so also miss out on free meals.
Campaigners want vouchers for disabled children similar to the supermarket school meal tokens which were handed out during the pandemic.
Natalie Hay, 43, whose son Matt, 15, has chronic fatigue syndrome, is fighting for parents to get vouchers – equivalent to £3 a day. The mum from Teddington, South West London, left her job to be her son’s full-time carer. She said: “Some of the parents in my campaign group have two children with a disability and are on Universal Credit. Others are so busy visiting hospitals as their child requires cancer treatment or heart surgery they don’t have the time and energy to fight this discrimination.”
Single mum Danielle Preston says the system is unfair on her children Thea, seven, and Finlay, 10. They have autism and Thea also has ADHD, a dairy allergy and a food intake disorder.
Danielle, 41, from Portsmouth, Hants, said: “I am unable to work due to caring for my son, who is home 24/7. Vouchers would help and it seems unfair we are shut out through no fault of our own.”
Almost half of 1,500 families entitled to free school meals told the Contact charity they spend £20 a week on food.
Contact’s Una Summerson said free meals improved a child’s achievement and wellbeing, adding: “That’s why we are campaigning for an alternative such as a supermarket voucher.”
The Department for Education said: “Schools are responsible for providing nutritious school meals for registered pupils. It is up to schools how they meet this duty, whether with vouchers or other means.”