Overview
We support you to manage the tendering of a contract for your school meal service, including the evaluation of tenders and the award of the contract. This will ensure that the service meets your needs, complies with legal requirements and provides you value for money.
We will oversee the contract, in partnership with the contractor, to ensure the efficient operation of the service, including monthly meetings with the contractor and termly school meals management board meetings, where the head teacher’s views can be shared along with key performance indicators.
Advice and support
We will provide the advice you need to meet statutory compliance with:
- ingredient and meal quality
- food safety and hygiene practices
- fabric and equipment condition and cleanliness
- operational practices
- food safety management system
- statutory compliance for Education England, School Food Regulations 2014
- ‘School Food Standards’ seasonal menus
A dedicated Catering Support Officer (CSO) will:
- carry out one visit per term, discussing the finding with the contractor
- meet the contractor on-site to complete an annual performance assessment report
- assist you in responding to Local Authority Environmental Health Officer reports
- offer advice on kitchen design and upgrading, specifically the preparation of specifications for the construction of new facilities
- offer advice for the replacement or upgrade of redundant equipment, including best value appropriate quotes
- report on the condition of heavy and light catering equipment, ensuring it’s to an acceptable standard
- advice on maintenance contracts and service intervals
- advice on medical diet procedure, liaising with the contractor, school, parent or dietician as required
- assist you to Formulate a school food policy and packed lunch policy
- attend and participate in School Nutrition Action Groups (SNAGS) or School Council Meetings
- promote healthy eating
- liaise with the contractor on your behalf for disputes, complaints or queries
- investigate and record complaints about poor quality meals, or poor choice
Our administrative support will:
- help you with free school meal enquiries
- provide access to a (free school meal) checking service – this service is free to non-eligible pupils, costing the school nothing (there is a £13.75 charge to schools for eligible pupils)
- agreeing weekly charges for school meals with the contractor and school, recharging school budgets with associated meal costs
- consolidation and centrally record school meal uptake – the data supplied by participating schools is forwarded to the Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS), these statistics are used for freedom of information requests.