More than 80 extra children in South Cambridgeshire are now receiving free school meals, thanks to a pioneering initiative between two councils.
The campaign uses smart technology and innovative data-sharing between South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council to identify families eligible for support - but not currently claiming it.
The additional free school meals are expected to be worth more than £314,000 to the 66 families over the lifetime of their claims – if they claim from now until their children reach the end of year 11. Additionally, it is expected to be worth more than £1 million to local schools in government funding in the process.
One young parent in Cambourne, now receiving free school meals after being contacted as part of the joint campaign, said: “It really will make all the difference. I’ve been going without things to try and pay for their meals. I’ve gone without things like clothing and haircuts - basic things most people don’t think twice about - because there just wasn’t enough money that month. It’s not just the school meals, although these are absolutely massive - it helps with everything. I had to tell my son that he couldn’t do geography because I couldn’t afford the school trip that went with it. My kids have always come first, and I’m so grateful that they’ll be able to eat well without me having to make those sacrifices.”
For each of the 81 extra children now claiming free school meals, South Cambridgeshire schools will also receive extra funding called pupil premium, aimed at improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. The additional funding schools will receive is worth £116,555 in its first year alone and is expected to be worth more than £1 million (£1,020,560) should families claim from now until each child reaches year 11.
Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities at South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Member at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We’re proud to be one of the first two-tier councils in the country to launch a campaign like this. Free school meals provide vital support to families in South Cambridgeshire, and to secure these for 81 children because of this campaign is a resounding success. The results of this campaign extend far beyond just the school meals too. These children will be eating better, their parents will have one less financial worry, and their schools will be over £1 million better off thanks to the additional funding secured because of these claims. It’s something our councillors have wanted to do for a long time, and we’re delighted to have secured this vital support to families who need it most.”
The District Council invested in an innovative IT system called the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT), designed to identify residents who may be eligible for benefits but aren’t currently claiming them. Free school meals are managed by the County Council, so although the District Council can identify families who might qualify, this couldn’t be acted on because they didn’t know who was already claiming.
To overcome this, a pioneering data-sharing agreement was secured between the two authorities - becoming one of the first two-tier council areas in the country to have such an agreement.
This agreement allowed the two councils to work together to identify households that were eligible and not claiming, using South Cambridgeshire District Council’s LIFT software and benefits data, and Cambridgeshire County Council’s free school meals data. Households that were identified as eligible and not claiming were contacted by letters, emails, and phone calls to encourage them to apply and access the support they’re entitled to.
Cllr Edna Murphy, Chair of the Children and Young People Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Good nutrition is vital for the health and wellbeing of children and young people. That's why it is so important to ensure all those eligible are able to benefit from free school meals. By combining innovative technology with a strong commitment to supporting our most vulnerable families, we’ve been able to reach those missing out on vital help. This work directly enables children and young people to thrive, by helping to lift families out of poverty. I’m extremely proud that Cambridgeshire councils are leading the way in making sure no eligible child is left behind."
Since adopting the LIFT system 12 months ago, South Cambridgeshire District Council has helped secure nearly 1,000 additional claims for residents for a range of benefits they were previously unaware of. These claims are worth over £500,000 to residents in their first year alone, with a lifetime value of nearly £4 million based on average claim lengths. In addition to the families now claiming free school meals, this includes:
- 113 households now receiving Pension Credit
- 65 households now receiving Healthy Start
- 480 households receiving a payment from the Household Support Fund
- 69 households now on a reduced water tariff