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The Fostering Network and TACT Fostering have called on the Government to introduce automatic free school meal entitlement for all children in care in England, amid concerns that changes to eligibility could leave many fostered children without access to the scheme.
The organisations have launched a campaign calling for the change and have written to Education Secretary Lucy Powell MP and Children’s and Families Minister Josh MacAlister MP, alongside other fostering and children’s charities including NAFP, Adoption UK, CoramBAAF, Foster Talk, BASW and Home for Good.
The campaign follows a survey of 713 foster carers in England by The Fostering Network, in which 51% said they expected children in their care to lose their free school meal entitlement from September 2026.
Under the revised eligibility arrangements, entitlement is determined by the circumstances of the foster carer rather than the individual needs of the child. Foster carers responding to the survey said children could lose access even where their households faced financial pressures. In particular, carers who do not qualify for Universal Credit because of savings for retirement or other eligibility rules may be affected.
The Fostering Network said a third of current foster carers are of pensionable age.
Many foster carers reported that losing free school meals could increase household costs by more than £100 per child each month. For households caring for several children, the additional costs could be significant. Some carers said they would have to reduce spending on activities, clothing and other opportunities for children, while others raised concerns that increased financial pressures could affect their ability to continue fostering.
The survey also highlighted the wider role of school meals for children in care. Foster carers described school meals as providing stability, routine and social inclusion, as well as opportunities for children to develop healthy relationships with food. The organisations said these benefits can be particularly important for children who have experienced trauma, neglect or poverty.
There are also concerns that children who lose free school meal eligibility could lose access to the Holiday Activities and Food programme, potentially reducing access to food provision, enrichment activities and social opportunities during school holidays.
The Fostering Network and TACT are calling for all children in care in England to receive free school meals automatically, regardless of their foster carer’s income, savings, age or benefit status. They argue that the state, as corporate parent, should ensure children in its care have access to the support.
The campaign is also calling for children in care to retain access to associated schemes such as the Holiday Activities and Food programme, alongside clear guidance for schools, local authorities and fostering services on eligibility arrangements.
The organisations are further urging the Government to consider the potential impact of the changes on the recruitment and retention of foster carers.
The campaign forms part of The Fostering Network’s wider work to secure support for children in care and foster carers.
To read the letter in full, click here.
