{"id":33593,"date":"2025-08-07T11:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T10:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=33593"},"modified":"2026-01-13T12:20:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T12:20:35","slug":"fsm-opt-out-award-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/administration-and-finance\/administration\/free-school-meals\/free-school-meals-opt-out-auto-award\/fsm-opt-out-award-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FSM opt-out award FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"accordion-tabs-block\"><ul class=\"accordion\" id=\"block_acf-block-6966388ee7a15\" data-responsive-accordion-tabs=\"accordion medium-accordion large-accordion\" data-allow-all-closed=\"true\" data-multi-expand=\"true\"><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-0\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">What is the \u2018opt-out auto-award\u2019?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>This process identifies and automatically registers entitled early years, primary, and secondary students for free school meals unless families choose not to participate.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loom.com\/share\/b63c7f35caf3449690be087 4810be746\" rel=\"noopener\">Basis have provided a video explaining the opt-out process and it&#8217;s benefits.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-1\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">What happens if a child who is entitled is not auto-enrolled?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-2\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">How many times a year will the council facilitate opt-out auto-award checks in future?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This process is now a part of our regular practice. As we receive the DWP dataset frequently throughout the year we will share details of newly identified pupils as this is processed, to ensure the best outcomes for schools and families.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The process will run 4 times per academic year, which will be known as \u201c<b>Auto-Award Waves<\/b>\u201d:<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 345px\" width=\"691\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 56px\">\n<td style=\"width: 682.333px;height: 56px\" colspan=\"2\"><u><b>Auto-Award timeline per academic year<\/b><\/u><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 96px\">\n<td style=\"width: 199.885px;height: 96px\"><b>Autumn Wave<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 477.115px;height: 96px\">September:<\/p>\n<p>In time for the October Census<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 68px\">\n<td style=\"width: 199.885px;height: 68px\"><b>Winter Wave<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 477.115px;height: 68px\">End November\/ Start December:<\/p>\n<p>In time for the January census considering Christmas closures.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 71px\">\n<td style=\"width: 199.885px;height: 71px\"><b>Spring Wave<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 477.115px;height: 71px\">March:<\/p>\n<p>In time for the May Census, before the Easter Break.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 22px\">\n<td style=\"width: 199.885px;height: 22px\"><b>Summer Wave<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 477.115px;height: 22px\">June<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-3\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">What can schools do to support this?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How the Process Will Work<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:170,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During an Auto-Award Wave, <\/span><\/b>schools<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> will be emailed if any pupils have been identified<\/span>. <span data-contrast=\"auto\">This email will include: <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:170,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An opt-out letter and cover letter for families<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:170,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Instructions on running the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAll Opt-Out Pupils\u201d list<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in the Provider Portal which is where you will see your pupils identified<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:170,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As before, we kindly ask that you send the opt-out letter to the families identified in our list. School will have a week to send this before the start of the opt-out period.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The opt-out period will be 14 days, and we will inform you of any opt-outs at the end of these periods.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:170,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After the opt-out period, Free School Meals can begin for any new pupils identified. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:170,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-4\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">Can parents still apply for free school meals manually if they believe they\u2019re entitled but haven\u2019t been auto enrolled? I.e. will this process replace business as usual?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>The council will only run the opt-out auto-award process around the agreed checking dates.<\/p>\n<p>For anyone else wishing to make a free school meal application, the school needs to signpost applicants to the Citizen\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-5\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">What happens when a family\u2019s financial circumstances change mid-year?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>If a family\u2019s financial situation changes mid-year and they they haven&#8217;t been picked up in our monthly checks, they should make an application for free school meals through the Citizens Portal. This is in line with current processes.<\/p>\n<p>However, if they don\u2019t make an application, then they should be identified during the next opt-out auto-award check.<\/p>\n<p>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<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-6\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">What training or resources will be provided to schools on the auto-enrolment process?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>Online recourses for schools to access about this process includes:<\/p>\n<p>\u25cf<a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/administration-and-finance\/administration\/free-school-meals\/free-school-meals-opt-out-auto-award\/fsm-opt-out-award-faqs\/\"> this FAQ document<\/a><br \/>\n\u25cf <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/administration-and-finance\/administration\/free-school-meals\/free-school-meals-opt-out-auto-award\/\">a recording of the information sharing sessions<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">For each opt-<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">out p<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">eriod<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">if we <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">id<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\">entify<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW51546342 BCX8\"> auto-enrolled pupils, we will provide you with:<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW51546342 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:40,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469777462&quot;:[4153,8306],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[3,4],&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u25cfa cover letter from schools for families<br \/>\n\u25cfan opt-out letter for families<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-7\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">What happens if one parent\/carer opts-in and the other opts-out?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>If two households are eligible but one parent\/carer opts-in and the other opts-out, we will process these on a case-by-case basis and will ask for schools support if required.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-8\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">Will nursery aged children be included in this process?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>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.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/early-years-and-childcare-in-schools\/free-school-meals-for-nursery-children\/\">The government advises that children must attended an am and pm session to receive free school meals.<\/a> We will provide a notice to all school with nursery aged children about this when you receive your opt-out data.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li id=\"item-6966388ee7a15-9\" class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item=\"\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"accordion-title\">Will children still be recorded as Pupil Premium if the family opts-out?<\/a><div class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><p>No, the child would not be recorded as Pupil Premium.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2891,"featured_media":0,"parent":33514,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-33593","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-13 17:18:52","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2891"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33593"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35305,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33593\/revisions\/35305"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}