outh Lanarkshire Council Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice
Free school meals

From Friday 3 April we have in place new arrangements to send PayPoint vouchers directly to parents/carers of children who are entitled to free school meals.
These will replace the ‘take and go’ lunches that have been available from our emergency childcare hubs and some other schools. These lunches will not be available for collection after 3 April.

Parents/carers of eligible children do not need to apply for this payment.
A £30 voucher will be sent to you on a fortnightly basis using the mobile phone numbers or email addresses we already hold for you. If we don’t have your number or email we will post the vouchers to you.

The first £30 payments will be made on Friday 3 April, covering weeks commencing 30 March and 6 April.

A second payment will be made on Thursday 9 April (as Friday 10 April is a public holiday), covering weeks beginning 13 and 20 April.

Advance payments will continue every fortnight thereafter from Friday 24 April.
Scottish Government guidelines suggest that payments should reflect what councils charge for school lunches. As the cost of a school lunch in South Lanarkshire is £1.70, the £30 fortnightly payment considerably exceeds that. The payment is also in line with the UK Government’s £15 a week vouchers system.

Payments will be made only to those entitled to means-tested free school meals. This includes children in Primaries 1 to 3, who will be assessed for free school meal entitlement. Again, this is in line with Scottish Government guidelines.

For more information on eligibility see the Free school meals page.

The payment vouchers can be redeemed for cash at any PayPoint outlet, of which there are more than 100 across South Lanarkshire. Parents/carers can then purchase food for children, bearing in mind current advice on limiting excursions and social distancing.
For details of PayPoint outlets see the PayPoint website.

Payments will be made automatically using information held by the council, so applications are not necessary. However, contact details can be updated and other enquiries can be sent by using the Free school meals enquiry form.

South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership
 
COVID-19 – Community Wellbeing Line
 
A new helpline is now available for individuals living in South Lanarkshire who are self-isolating/vulnerable and whose usual support network is no longer available.

The helpline will help people to access food and other essential supplies.  The Community Engagement Team within the council have been working  along with VASLAN to collate activity which is happening within communities, and to make contact with new groups and networks which are developing in response to the current situation.

Community volunteers are playing a key role in supporting the people around them.  This includes helping transport essential goods such as food to people who cannot leave their home, carrying out welfare checks where there was a concern expressed about the wellbeing of someone, and offering telephone befriending to those who are isolated.

The helpline number is 0303 123 1009 and the opening hours are as follows:-

Monday to Thursday 8.45 – 4.45
Friday 8.45 – 4.15
Saturday and Sunday 8.45 – 4.45

Please pass this information on to any people that you are working with and who are self-isolating/vulnerable and don’t have any other support networks available.  If you have any questions about the helpline please email communities@southalarkshire.gov.uk

We are seeking volunteers!
If you are interested and have some time to help our communities please email communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

South Lanarkshire Council have extended provision at our schools on Monday and Tuesday (9am – 3pm) to the children of all emergency service workers, ie NHS staff, police, fire and rescue, ambulance and the prison service.

As previously stated this is only open to those families whose children are well and healthy and who cannot secure personal, alternative childcare arrangements. As planning develops, after Tuesday the council will look at provision for some other key workers that are delivering essential services.

Any other updates will be communicated to you as soon as we get them.

COVID-19 UPDATE 1

OFFICIAL SLC UPDATE – is intended that all SLC schools and nurseries will open normal hours (9.00am-3.00pm) for children of Category 1 key workers (see list below).

Children of Category 1 key workers should go to their usual entrance at 9.00am.

The school will also be open during lunch (12.15-1.00pm) for children eligible for free school meals (this includes all P1-3 pupils).

Category 1 key workers (as defined by Scottish Government)

Health and Care workers supporting COVID and associated staff;

Health and Care workers supporting life threatening emergency work

Critical primary and community care provision

Energy suppliers

Staff providing childcare for other category staff.

SLC Clarification if there is a parent within the household who is NOT a Category 1 worker then children should remain home with them and not attend school. Category 1 does NOT include all NHS Staff.

THIS INFORMATION IS THE CURRENT SLC POSITION. MORE UPDATES TO FOLLOW.

We thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding and ask that you only contact the school or come into the building if absolutely necessary.

With thanks

Kirkton Primary School