Regular communication about school context and the challenges families are facing can make a big difference to poverty awareness and understanding among school staff.
In Sterling, Bannockburn Primary School's Health and Wellbeing Officer role is to spot when families might be struggling financially and to offer information and referrals to income maximisation teams.
How some schools are overcoming challenges to encouraging school meal uptake and ensuring that children and young people use their free meal allowance.
When families are struggling financially, Rainbow Family Centre in Inverclyde offers referrals to outside welfare rights or income maximisation agencies and support parent and carers with the call.
Braes High School in Falkirk created a web page on the school website about support they offer parents and carers having problems with costs or money, and how they can reduce anxiety about asking for help.
In 2022 Buckie Community High School in Moray worked with the Cost of the School Day team, and consulted pupils and families about school uniform, and how policy might change to make it more affordable for all.
One secondary school in North Lanarkshire recognised that increasing numbers of young people were in need of school uniform and clothing. The school decided to set up a cluster wide uniform bank.