- What is the ‘opt-out auto-award’?
This process identifies and automatically registers entitled early years, primary, and secondary students for free school meals unless families choose not to participate.
Basis have provided a video explaining the opt-out process and it’s benefits.
- What happens if a child who is entitled is not auto-enrolled?
The council will only run the opt-out auto-award process around the agreed checking dates. For any ad hoc, or new joiners without an existing FSM claim, the school needs to follow the usual process with the family and signpost applicants through to the DCC Citizens Portal.
Any in-year admissions moving within Devon should be included in these checks. If they are not on your FSM list, you can signpost applicants to the Citizens Portal.
- How many times a year will the council facilitate opt-out auto-award checks in future?
The council is currently deciding the frequency of these checks. We will update you once a decision has been made.
- What can schools do to support this?
Once the list of pupils has been eligibility-checked, we will ask you to send a standardised email to the relevant families. It will provide them with information about the opt-out auto-award process, the benefits it offers, and give them the opportunity to opt out.
All schools must participate in this exercise to fulfil their legal obligation to register pupils who are entitled to FSM. We will not register any pupil whose family has not had the opportunity to opt out.
- Can parents still apply for free school meals manually if they believe they’re entitled but haven’t been auto enrolled? I.e. will this process replace business as usual?
The council will only run the opt-out auto-award process around the agreed checking dates.
For anyone else wishing to make a free school meal application, the school needs to signpost applicants to the Citizen’s Portal, and the Free School Meals team will notify you of any pupils found to be entitled as per the current free school meal process. These children will be added to your entitled list.
- What happens when a family’s financial circumstances change mid-year?
If a family’s financial situation changes mid-year and they become entitled to FSM they should make an application for free school meals through the Citizens Portal. This is in line with current processes.
However, if they don’t make an application, then they should be identified during the next opt-out auto-award check.
If a pupil with an eligible claim loses entitlement mid-year, they still have their claim protected through transitional protection. Please note that the transitional protection phase will end at the end of the 2025/2026 academic year
- What training or resources will be provided to schools on the auto-enrolment process?
Schools will receive details about the frequency of opt-out auto-award checks, along with a guidance pack containing:
● a template email to parents notifying of opt-out
● this FAQ document
● a recording of the information sharing sessions - What happens if one parent/carer opts-in and the other opts-out?
If two households are eligible but one parent/carer opts-in and the other opts-out, we will still process the free school meals claim for the child.
The claim will reflect that of the parent/carer who has opted-in to the process.
- Will nursery aged children be included in this process?
If your schools age range includes your early years pupils, and are therefore included on your school roll, then they will be included in the opt-out award process.
The government advises that children must attended an am and pm session to receive free school meals. We will provide a notice to all school with nursery aged children about this when you receive your opt-out data.
- Will children still be recorded as Pupil Premium if the family opts-out?
No, the child would not be recorded as Pupil Premium.
If a parent/carer is found as eligible but opts-out of the process, we will not set up the free school meals claim and they will be excluded from any future opt-out checks. If they would like to opt-in in at any point, they can contact us or the school direct about this.
The family can also still apply as normal through the Citizens Portal if they change their mind in the future. The child/children will then show on your list to be recorded as free school meals and Pupil Premium.
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