The national policy landscape for free school meal (FSM) auto-enrolment is changing fast. By the October 2026 census, the Universal Credit earnings threshold will be in place and transitional protections will have ended. Councils will need robust systems to manage data and identify entitled pupils – or risk some children missing out.
This LGA-hosted session is designed, in partnership with experts from Bremner & Co, Basis and FixOurFood, to bring together unitary authorities to share progress, reflect on successes and lessons learned, and prepare for what’s ahead.
The session will help councils prepare for the challenges of the changing policy landscape, ensuring no pupil falls through the cracks.
What to expect from the webinar:
Case studies from Torbay and another unitary authority (tbc) that have recently implemented auto-enrolment, and a chance to pick their brains on their approach, challenges and key learnings.
A discussion about the evolving national context, from FSM expansion and Eligibility Checking Service (ECS) changes to new data-sharing capabilities, and what local authorities need to do now to strengthen their processes and prepare for the October 2026 census.
