Abstract
Abstract
Background
To receive free school meals (FSM), parents are required to apply. However, for several reasons, many parents do not, with data indicating that 11% of entitled children do not take up FSM. Auto-enrolment is a term to describe the processes by which the local authority (LA) uses welfare datasets to identify and register eligible children for FSM, allowing parents an opportunity to opt out. This potentially increases school meal uptake, though current auto-enrolment literature is limited and adoption varies by LA. This study aimed to evaluate the new LA auto-enrolment process at various implementation stages, considering setting, context, and implementation strategy alongside internal barriers and facilitators.
Methods
One representative from each LA was recruited based on auto-enrolment stage via purposive sampling. Stakeholders from several departments were included and provided informed consent. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured LA interviews across England (n=14), exploring processes, barriers, facilitators, and sustainability. Data were analysed deductively according to The Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions (CICI) and the PIET-T transferability frameworks. Three researchers double coded a subsample of interviews, discussed discrepancies, and developed a codebook to inform analysis. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of York's Research Governance Committee (REF: HSRGC/2023/586/H).
Findings
Emerging findings indicate that leadership drove initial progress, but sustained implementation required multi-stakeholder support. Though local authorities were initially tentative, stakeholder interest and external collaborations facilitated implementation. Barriers to implementation included data access, information governance and staff capacity concerns. Findings also highlighted the potential of auto-enrolment to identify and register those from minority backgrounds for FSM alongside collecting data to support policy development.
Interpretation
Auto-enrolment may aid FSM registration while supporting local policy development, though implementation may come with legal, data and capacity challenges, temporarily mediated by stakeholder collaboration. National rollout may be required to sustainably support FSM registration via auto-enrolment.
Funding
This work is supported by the FixOurFood programme (BB/V004581/1) funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Transforming Food Systems Programme: https://www.ukri.org/news/healthier-food-healthier-planet-transforming-food-systems.
Contributors
RO wrote the original draft. RO, SM, and LP conducted formal analysis, project administration, investigation and validation. MaB conceived and designed the study, acquired funding and provided supervision. MyB, DB, BD, and AC contributed to conceptualisation, methodology, validation and reviewing and editing. All authors have seen and approved the final version of the abstract for publication.
Declaration of interests
Bremner & Co is an independent food policy and practice consultancy. The Food Foundation is a registered charity working in partnership with researchers, campaigners, community bodies, industry, Government and citizens to advocate for change.
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Background
To receive free school meals (FSM), parents are required to apply. However, for several reasons, many parents do not, with data indicating that 11% of entitled children do not take up FSM. Auto-enrolment is a term to describe the processes by which the local authority (LA) uses welfare datasets to identify and register eligible children for FSM, allowing parents an opportunity to opt out. This potentially increases school meal uptake, though current auto-enrolment literature is limited and adoption varies by LA. This study aimed to evaluate the new LA auto-enrolment process at various implementation stages, considering setting, context, and implementation strategy alongside internal barriers and facilitators.
Methods
One representative from each LA was recruited based on auto-enrolment stage via purposive sampling. Stakeholders from several departments were included and provided informed consent. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured LA interviews across England (n=14), exploring processes, barriers, facilitators, and sustainability. Data were analysed deductively according to The Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions (CICI) and the PIET-T transferability frameworks. Three researchers double coded a subsample of interviews, discussed discrepancies, and developed a codebook to inform analysis. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of York's Research Governance Committee (REF: HSRGC/2023/586/H).
Findings
Emerging findings indicate that leadership drove initial progress, but sustained implementation required multi-stakeholder support. Though local authorities were initially tentative, stakeholder interest and external collaborations facilitated implementation. Barriers to implementation included data access, information governance and staff capacity concerns. Findings also highlighted the potential of auto-enrolment to identify and register those from minority backgrounds for FSM alongside collecting data to support policy development.
Interpretation
Auto-enrolment may aid FSM registration while supporting local policy development, though implementation may come with legal, data and capacity challenges, temporarily mediated by stakeholder collaboration. National rollout may be required to sustainably support FSM registration via auto-enrolment.
Funding
This work is supported by the FixOurFood programme (BB/V004581/1) funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Transforming Food Systems Programme: https://www.ukri.org/news/healthier-food-healthier-planet-transforming-food-systems.
Contributors
RO wrote the original draft. RO, SM, and LP conducted formal analysis, project administration, investigation and validation. MaB conceived and designed the study, acquired funding and provided supervision. MyB, DB, BD, and AC contributed to conceptualisation, methodology, validation and reviewing and editing. All authors have seen and approved the final version of the abstract for publication.
Declaration of interests
Bremner & Co is an independent food policy and practice consultancy. The Food Foundation is a registered charity working in partnership with researchers, campaigners, community bodies, industry, Government and citizens to advocate for change.
Article metrics
Metric data currently unavailable
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| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | S38 |
| Journal | The Lancet Public Health |
| Volume | 404 |
| Issue number | S38 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Nov 2024 |