Other community, social and personal services

Tender description

The purchase of food vouchers, and the system to distribute the vouchers, for pupils eligible for free school meals over school holidays and other vulnerable families up to the end of the February half term 2021. Leicestershire County Council has been awarded funds from the Governments Covid Winter Grant which must be awarded to families with children for food, energy and utilities and can also be used to support other vulnerable families. In November 2020 the Government announced the GBP 170 million Covid Winter Support Grant. The primary policy objectives behind the scheme are to support families with children with food, energy and utility costs over the winter although some provision can be made for other vulnerable families. This contract relates to the purchase of food vouchers, and the system to distribute the vouchers, for pupils eligible for free school meals over school holidays and other vulnerable families up to the end of the February half term 2021. There has been increasing concern raised about the provision of food over the school holidays for those pupils who are eligible for free school meals, in view of the financial difficulties faced by many as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are currently 12 009 pupils registered to receive Free School Meals across Leicestershire. This figure has risen from 11,000 at the beginning of the School Year in September. Food vouchers will also be provided to other vulnerable families including families with vulnerable children aged 0-5 or that may not qualify for free school meals and families with pupils eligible for free school meals in independent school provision.