Will school be told about foodbank referral?

[CapturedLeprechaun]

For a variety of reasons, I need a foodbank voucher desperately. In my Council, you can only get one via referral. The referral options are: your child's school, your health visitor, or citizens advice.

I don't want my child's school or HV to know we are struggling, it's a temporary issue and will be fine by the end of the month. I had car costs of £600 and will be fine next month and going forward, I'm just struggling for the next 10 days.

So I want to go to Citizens Advice and explain my situation/share my bank statements etc and ask for a foodbank voucher. BUT I'm worried that Citizens Advice will note there are children in the property who need food, and then make a referral to social services without my consent, or notify my children's school. I'm on the PTA etc and outwardly very respectable. I'm embarrassed that I can work full time and need a foodbank, I don't want my kids school to judge me. Overdraft/ credit card/payday loan are already things I've exhausted.

When I looked online citizens advice says they can share information "with government departments if it is necessary".

So - I need to know, will Citizens Advice inform social services or my children's school if I ask for a foodbank voucher?

No, they won't tell your child's school.

At my school I can issue Foodbank vouchers for families who need them but if a family accessed it outside of me referring them I would not be told.

I hope that things improve for you soon

If its a Trussell franchise foodbank then no the information won't be shared by them with the school. They might be able to see previous referrals if you then go to the school for a voucher.

What you need to be aware of is a possible safeguarding referral for your kids. Simply needing a foodbank shouldn't trigger this but I don't know citizen advice trigger point.

Don't be embarrassed. There are ALOT of working people using foodbanks these days sadly. (And if school do become aware they should absolutely keep this confidential - and you would have grounds to complain strongly if they don't!)

Yes I'm equally worried about a safeguarding referral. I work in a safeguarding role in a neighbouring local authority and so would know some of the people in my "home" local authority professionally. Does anyone know what the threshold is for triggering a safeguarding referral if a foodbank voucher is issued to a family with kids?

Citizens advice should be completely confidential.

A foodbank voucher won't involve telling your school or a safeguarding referral. It's there to help, not to make things harder, and there's no risk of harm to anyone to involve needing to inform anyone. Please don't worry and get the help you need x

No a one off food bank voucher would not trigger a referral on its own. What area do you live in? I’m my area there is the official Trussel trust food bank but also a number of others run by voluntary organisations and church groups which you just turn up for on the allocated day. Good luck

I don't think there is a blanket 'policy' on FoodBank referrals ... many FBs are independent and have their own policies and procedures. I volunteer at an independent FB and we certainly wouldn't involve a school for a one off referral. Even if the school was involved it's unlikely to be a safeguarding issue, more to ensure that you are receiving the correct support you are entitled to. I know it's easy to say this but try not to worry, you need food to feed your family, you've got the voucher, just focus on that.
You also might want to look into a local 'community fridge share' or 'Too Good To Go' apps and things like that.

Social care will not be notified of you getting a food bank voucher. Social care are only notified of children at risk of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The only reason the vouchers are registered is to stop people abusing them.
I understand it's embarrassing, but bad times don't last. Make sure your honest about your debts with the CAB and do what you've got to do.
Good luck.

I had a food bank voucher (and they paid some of my gas electric) in January. I am a nurse and on the PTA.

No one knows about it.

It's a trussel trust one. There is one local/community one too, but it's only open 10-12 one day a week (when I'll be working) and I know a friend who volunteers there too, so I want to access the trussel trust one.

Thanks so much to everyone who reassured me it will remain confidential, that's what I was desperate to hear. I'll contact them tomorrow and make sure I give back when I'm in a position to.

A safeguarding referral won't be made. It's not a safeguarding issue. Chronic poor management of family funds due to e.g. drug use or gambling, meaning the children regularly have inadequate food supply - yes. Your situation - absolutely not. Hope things improve for you asap.

OK. I cried at this. OP, I really hope you are in an OK financial position soon. It must be so frustrating working fi=ull time and still need support. Not remotely embarrassing though - that is entirely what short term support is for xx

Just so sad at the whole situation.

Can't walk away without saying anything. You got my tears.

I'm in a professional full-time position, lost my DH's income last year(he's looking for a job still) which means I'm the only source of income in the house. I work really hard , work extra hours now. Struggling with all the loans and debts. Now I always have cheap food, bread and tea to keep me full, leaving the nutritious food for my children. I'm a class rep for my child's class as well, know the head teachers and teaching staff quite well.

Stay strong. Things will get better one day, take care xx

‘I’m very respectable’ Wtf? How judgemental to suggest anyone who needs to use a food bank is not. Shame on you.

If you work in safeguarding you must know that the threshold is much much much higher than that. hope everything works out for you.

If you ring your local councils call centre, they will be able to advise you of all the ways to get a referral.

I believe our libraries in this Borough can put in a referral!