School can make a referral to Early Help if our families would benefit from the support.  There are also occasions where another agency will make the referral (such as Family Support Workers).

The explanation below is from the Warwickshire Country Council website.  Further information can be found at this link.

Early Help is the support we offer to potentially vulnerable children, young people and their families. 

The purpose of Early Help is to put in the right support at the right time so that problems are less likely to escalate to a point where the child becomes vulnerable or in need. Early Help is sustainable so that problems are less likely to re-occur. 

Early Help does not always mean early years. While research does show that most impact can be made in those crucial first few years of a child’s life, Early Help can be needed and put in place at any time and at any age. 

All children, young people and families in Warwickshire are entitled to receive Early Help. This means offering information, advice, guidance, and support to families as soon as a concern emerges, or seems likely to emerge.

Families who receive the following are eligible for free school meals (FSM):

• income support
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• guarantee element of state pension credit
• Universal Credit (with an annual income of less than £7,400)
• Both income-based and contribution-based JSA/ESA if you receive the same amount for both. You should also qualify if you receive both but the income-based amount is greater, but not if the contribution-based amount is greater.
• Families who are awarded Child Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by HMRC, not in excess of £16,190 are also eligible to claim free school meals providing there is no entitlement to Working Tax Credit (unless in respect of a 4-week ‘run-on’).

We are unable to backdate entitlement to FSM; your children are not eligible to receive them prior to the date you have successfully applied for them.

Students in receipt of FSM receive their lunch in exactly the same way as all other students, using the biometric system, therefore no other students know who is receiving FSM.  The allowance is available to spend at lunchtime only; this helps to ensure that all students have an opportunity to partake in a hot and healthy meal instead of a snack at break time. The current allowance is £2.60 per student per day and any remaining balance cannot be rolled over to the next day.  Parents/carers can add extra money via ParentMail if they wish, e.g. for a snack at breaktime or additional spending at lunch.

The easiest way to apply for free school meals is online through the Warwickshire parent portal.  There is also a helpline available if you are unable to access the portal 01926 359 189.
 

Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme

For the holiday periods, the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme will support families with children registered to be in receipt of benefits-related FSM. This does not apply to infant pupil universal offer for FSM. To qualify for the Warwickshire Welfare Scheme support, you must be registered for benefits-related FSM. Please call 0800 4081448 and speak with an advisor.

Anyone can reach crisis point and the Foodbank are here to help when that happens.  The Foodbank work using a referral system. The school is a referral agent during term time.  If you need a referral, please speak to your child's college leader or our pastoral support manager in confidence.  All requests will be dealt with confidentially and your child will not be informed of the request.

Outside of term time please contact FIS 01926 742 274 or Citizens Advice South Warwickshire 0300 330 1183, both are referral agents and will be able to help you whilst the school is closed.

Fred Winter Centre
41 Guild St
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 6QY

Distribution sessions for voucher holders are currently held at the following times:

• Monday 5-6.30pm
• Tuesday 12-2pm
• Thursday 5-6.30pm
• Friday 12-2pm

Please arrive 15 minutes before the end of a session.

Parking is very limited, a car may pull in to pick up a parcel but cars cannot be parked at the Fred Winter Centre. The closest free parking is Bridgeway Car Park where you can park free for up to one hour, or from 6PM parking is free opposite in Tyler Street.

In an emergency, if you are unable to reach FIS or Citizens Advice, you can contact the foodbank direct: help.suafoodbank@gmail.com or by calling 07736 929029