Families turn to foodbank to feed children after scheme faces problems

The Government’s scheme, which is being managed by Edenred, was set up at pace to support desperate families following school closures because of the coronavirus crisis.

But it has faced a raft of problems since being introduced.

In a letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson, Warrington Borough Council chief executive Steven Broomhead expressed serious concerns.

He said it is too often failing to provide the support needed, with schools facing ‘considerable problems’ accessing it to ensure families get their vouchers.

Mr Broomhead also stated that the delays to people getting the vouchers has resulted in distressed families turning up at school gates asking for help.

He said: “The IT system does not yet seem to have the full capacity that it needs.

“I appreciate that there will be opportunities to consider lessons learned after the pandemic has eased but I would say that the reliance on a national private sector contractor, which has no knowledge of the local need and inadequate mechanisms/infrastructure to deliver comprehensively at local level, is a key point to start.

Steven Broomhead

“As a strong council with an enhanced funding offer we would, in my opinion, have delivered a more robust and locally responsive offer in support of our vulnerable children and their families.”

One head teacher told Mr Broomhead: “Our schools are working on the frontline, keeping schools open providing a safe haven for children of our key workers and vulnerable groups.

“To try and navigate a cumbersome system and explain to families why the system appears not be working and manage families’ distress is becoming untenable.”

The Department for Education (DfE) says it continues to work closely with its supplier to resolve technical issues and thanked schools for their patience while the system is upgraded to meet increased demand.

Furthermore, it stated sites can be refunded for additional costs incurred before the national voucher system was introduced, or where the national voucher scheme is ‘inappropriate’.

A spokesperson said: “We continue to encourage schools to work with their suppliers to arrange food parcels or collections for families eligible for free school meals.

“Where this is not possible, a national scheme was launched for schools to provide supermarket vouchers, which is delivering for thousands of schools.

“Last week, Edenred reported that more than £35 million worth of voucher codes had been redeemed into supermarket gift cards by schools and families.”

Labour’s Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols says the progress being made with the scheme has come ‘too little, too late’ for many.

MP Charlotte Nichols

She added: “We have seen a large increase in the number of families requiring support from Warrington Foodbank, Warrington Voluntary Action and the community-led groups in Warrington North to ensure their children aren’t going hungry during this crisis.

“I want to pay tribute to the hard work that is taking place by these groups and by our schools, who are going above and beyond.

“I have been in direct contact with Edenred, who assure me that progress is being made, with the number of food retailers participating in the scheme improving and many of the technological faults which have blighted the delivery of the system being addressed.”

Warrington Foodbank project manager David McDonald says the charity has seen an increase in hungry children accessing food but thanked supermarkets for their support.

“Year on year, of every voucher fulfilled here, 35 per cent of all food went to children but that has now spiked to 50 per cent,” he said.

“We are feeding more children than we have in previous weeks, months, years.

“We are prepared for any factors. If we need to feed more children, we are fully prepared for it.”