Wednesday June 3rd 2026
Edinburgh City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
A number of Edinburgh pupils may be struggling to afford food and clothing due to their immigration status without their schools even knowing it, according to a council document.
In addition, it says some lone pupils and families are finding it hard to pay for accommodation due to their immigration status.
The document concerns lone children, or children of families, with ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF).
The status means they have no access to benefits and many other types of social support. Children of a parent or parents with this status also have it.
As of December 4 last year, the council was aware of 63 children or young people of school age with NRPF, or whose families have NRPF.
NRPF status applies to many immigrants, such as those on work or study visas, people waiting for immigration appeals, or for those who lack permission to stay in the UK.
Education is not considered to be one of these types of social support, meaning children of families with NRPF, or lone children with NRPF, can still get schooling.
In addition, councils have a statutory duty to provide accommodation and financial support to families and vulnerable adults with this status who are destitute.
The document sets out that the main issue facing a number of these families is education, followed by clothing and food.
In addition, it states that schools may not be aware that pupils have NRPF status, as that information is not always flagged to schools by families.
Schools may only learn this when families reach out for support, when it is evident that pupils may be in need, or when the information is shared by ‘other partners or agencies’.
It further adds that children with NRPF status can face disruption when families are moved to new accommodation, especially when there are delays in moving pupils to a new school.
Such delays can mean pupils may have to travel long distances in order to attend the school they are registered at, placing further strain on them and their families.
The report states that parents with NRPF and who have pupils in Edinburgh schools face issues with wellbeing around housing and risk of homelessness.
In addition, it states that some parents may be impacted with mental health issues, and that in some families there have been instances of domestic violence.
The council provides support to families with NRPF status where needed through a uniform and clothes bank, check-ins with parents or carers, access to financial and housing advice.
It also provides support accessing food banks, vouchers, and supports participation of pupils to take part in food banks and extracurricular activities.
Children and families are also supported through breakfast clubs, school equipment, access to housing and financial advice, free school meals, support with services applications and data SIM cards.
Free school meals are not considered as a ‘public fund’, and can be accessed by pupils regardless of their immigration status or if they are provided universally.
The report noted that some early learning settings have not charged for additional nursery hours to allow parents to attend meetings for housing and other essential purposes, due to awareness they would not be able to cover the cost.
Not all families with NRPF are destitute, and do not require support by the council for their pupils to take part in education.
The report stated that the number of pupils with this status is likely to rise, citing a report published in February last year which said families with NRPF being supported by councils tripled between 2020/21 and 2023/24.
Councillors will consider the contents of the document at next Tuesday’s education committee meeting.
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