Homelessness among children is growing and primary schools in disadvantaged areas are bearing the brunt of the burden.
A report published last week found that since 2001, there had been a 22 per cent increase in the percentage of children under 12 who are homeless.
The Empty Lunchbox report, by Roy Marton of welfare agency Hanover, looked into the experience of primary schools with students who are homeless.
It found 63 per cent of schools never or “very rarely” encountered students experiencing homelessness. But for a small number of schools it was not an isolated issue, and these schools were most often in disadvantaged areas, acting as quasi-welfare agencies.
Thomastown West Primary School principal Leon Bell said the school has about three students each year who experience homelessness.
“We have a family who live out of their car sometimes. It’s usually just short-term, and we try and help those families as much as we can,” he said.
The school has a wellbeing team that refers families to agencies for help with housing and food. It also offers a breakfast club and Food Bank hampers.
Thomastown Primary School principal Amanda Henning said in her experience single fathers more often had housing troubles.
She has applied for funding to offer students free breakfasts.
