Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 150
Implement better signposting and consider requiring a single local authority support contact.
Recommendation
The Department should also implement better signposting to ensure local authorities, schools and families are aware of these measures. The Department should consider whether to require a single point of contact within each local authority that families can refer to for help with support.
Government Response Summary
The Department agrees to seek opportunities for better signposting of support for low-income families but explicitly rejects requiring a single point of contact within local authorities, stating existing avenues for support are sufficient.
Paragraph Reference:
150
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Department agrees it is important to raise the awareness of the support available to low income families and will look for opportunities to do this across policy areas and initiatives aimed at providing this support. We do not however believe that it is necessary for there to be a single point of contact within each local authority that families can refer to for help with uniform support. Parents can already contact their local authority directly or use the following search tool to find out if they offer additional support for the cost of school uniform in cases of financial hardship. Additionally, the cost of school uniform statutory guidance requires schools to ensure that arrangements are in place so that second-hand school uniforms are available for parents to acquire. It is for the school to decide how this will be best achieved in their local context. However, all schools should have second hand uniform arrangements in place and make those arrangements clear for parents on the school website.