Over a third of 10-19 year olds in the UK live in poverty, with children from low income households being six times more likely to face food poverty.
Meanwhile, over 470,000 children are missing out on Free School Meals (FSM) worth £231 million annually.
Southwark Council tackled this challenge by leveraging data to boost FSM and Pupil Premium uptake through auto enrolment, successfully identifying nearly 700 additional pupils eligible for FSM each year.
In Tower Hamlets, Policy in Practice uncovered over £110 million in unclaimed benefits across 109,898 households. Using targeted outreach, they informed families about entitlements such as Healthy Start, FSM, Child Benefit, free childcare, and more, ensuring critical support reached those most in need.
Southwark’s success story of the year
Free School Meals provide vital access to nutritious meals for children from low income families, improving concentration and reducing school absences. However, lack of awareness and administrative complexities mean many families are missing out on this support. Using LIFT, we’ve successfully auto enrolled nearly 700 additional pupils for Free School Meals annually. This not only ensures children receive the support they’re entitled to but also unlocks further benefits like holiday meal programs and uniform grants, making a significant impact on their well being and education.
Farihah Choudhury, Policy and Programme Officer for School Food
Tower Hamlets’ success story of the year
For low income families invited to receive tailored financial support and advice, average monthly benefits income increased by £373. By using innovative communication methods like targeted postcards, we reached households who were unaware of their eligibility, providing clear guidance on accessing support. This proactive approach not only boosted monthly income but also demonstrated how data driven outreach effectively supports families struggling with debt and financial management, delivering critical support that might have otherwise been missed.
Alice Mabbott, Poverty Insights Officer
Southwark
A lack of awareness about Free School Meals (FSM) and the complexities of the application process have resulted in many eligible families not registering for this essential support.
Tower Hamlets
As one of the most ethnically diverse boroughs in the country, with less than 75% of residents having English as their first language, reaching those most in need has been particularly challenging. This is compounded by difficulties in ensuring accessibility for all.
Southwark
We were drawn to Policy in Practice because of the success other local authorities have had using their tools. The team has been incredibly proactive, supportive, and instrumental in helping us achieve our Free School Meals auto enrollment goals.
Tower Hamlets
In Tower Hamlets, we faced a significant challenge with £110 million in unclaimed benefits. The LIFT dashboard’s ability to identify residents missing out on support and proactively inform them has streamlined our outreach, ensuring those most in need receive timely assistance without the need for an application process.
Southwark
Using the LIFT dashboard, we’ve successfully identified almost 700 additional pupils each year who are now eligible for Free School Meals, ensuring they access the support they need.
Tower Hamlets
- Low-income families saw an average income boost of £373 per month through targeted financial support
- Debt support efforts reduced household arrears by £130,456