Fuel for learning: A parent‑led guide to healthier, happier school meals

  

Practical steps to improving school food

Step 1: Get informed

• Find out what’s currently on the school menu and how food is provided (in-house, council catering, or private company).
• Ask to see the school food policy and know who makes food decisions (usually the headteacher or business manager).

Step 2: Start the conversation

• Send a friendly, positive email to the headteacher and/or catering lead. Involve governors if you aren’t getting the type of positive dynamic response.
• If you have the opportunity to see the headteacher in person, perhaps use this to start the conversation briefly from a curious perspective, then following up with a friendly email. Many schools put the headteacher on the gate – don’t be afraid to walk up and start a conversation.
• Express interest in supporting the school’s healthy eating goals. The school may not have any healthy eating goals in place yet, but it is a good way to bring on their agenda.
• Use our templates to make it easy.

Step 3: Meet and listen

• Have a meeting to understand their priorities and challenges. Focus on shared goals. Approach with curiosity, not demands.
• Take a look at our resources section to find some helpful questions to ask

Step 4: Find one small, visible win

• Suggest one achievable improvement (e.g., fruit instead of cake once a week, more veg, water instead of sugary drinks).

Step 5: Get feedback and celebrate

• Ask pupils and staff what they thought of the change.
• Share positive results in the school newsletter or PTA group.

Step 6: Keep it going (gently)

• Once trust is built, suggest forming a small “school food group” or working with the PTA to keep improvements going.
• Add one new goal at a time as gradual change is sustainable.

Check out School Food Matters – 12 tips for parents

 

 

Tools, resources and templates for parents

Resources & further reading 

Here a list of brilliant resources to help you learn more and get involved.

Templates

Make sure to download a copy before editing!

• Letter to Headteacher
• Letter to Governors
• Letter to Councils & Academy Trusts

5 facts to take with you to your meeting

1. Healthy school meals improves nutrition and helps combat childhood obesity, saving the NHS money in the long term. (The Superpowers of School Meals, 2025)
2. Healthy school meals boosts a child's attainment and attendance. They can focus better and thrive in their classrooms. (The Superpowers of School Meals, 2025)
3. Healthy school meals improves food security and helps families save on food costs. (The Superpowers of School Meals, 2025)
4. A healthy food environment shapes lifelong habits. Schools that offer nutritious meals, water, and fruit breaks, and limit sugary drinks/snacks, help children develop healthy eating habits that last into adulthood (WHO, 2018)
5. Children typically spend 190 days a year in school, and therefore plays a massively important role in educating children about healthy eating – from school meals to food education and what happens across the whole of the school day.

You can also download the facts.

5 good questions to ask during your meeting

1. How is the school supporting in creating a healthy food environment for students?
2. Who in the school is responsible for leading on school food policy?
3. How does the school ensure that the menu meets the School Food Standards, and how often is it reviewed?
4. Are there vegetarian/vegan/culturally appropriate/allergy appropriate options daily, and how do you ensure children have a good variety of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains each week?
5. How does the school use the curriculum to teach children about healthy eating and nutrition? 

More questions available here. 

Menu checklist 

Here’s a menu checklist based on the current school food standards in England. You can use it to see what’s offered at your child’s school, spot examples of good practice, and have a starting point for your meeting.

Questions to ask your school
• Who plans and reviews the school menus, and how often?
• How does the school gather feedback from pupils and parents?
• Are ingredients locally sourced or seasonal where possible?
• How does the school use the curriculum to teach children about healthy eating and nutrition? 

Healthy school food awards

Many schools across the UK take part in Healthy School Food or Whole-School Wellbeing award schemes that recognise commitment to good food, nutrition, and pupil wellbeing. These programmes help schools improve food quality, support healthy habits, and celebrate progress – from better menus and cooking lessons to more inclusive dining and sustainability.

Tip for parents: Ask your child’s school if they are working towards, or have achieved, a Healthy School Food Award such as Food for Life, School Plates, or a local Healthy Schools Award. It’s a great sign that the school values nutritious, freshly prepared food and pupil health.

Here are some examples of programmes currently running across the UK that schools may be part of or could apply for:

Healthy Schools London Award

Run by Greater London Authority (GLA) in partnership with London boroughs. It is a whole-school framework that recognises schools promoting health and wellbeing — including healthy eating, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. Schools progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Levels include Healthy eating policy and compliance with School Food Standards. Promotion of healthy snacks, lunchboxes, and water-only policies. Cooking and nutrition education embedded in the curriculum. Evidence of whole-school engagement and community involvement. Healthy Early Years London and Healthy Schools London | London City Hall

Soil Association – Food for Life Award

Run by the Soil Association, the Food for Life Schools Award is a national, evidence-based accreditation programme supporting schools to serve healthy, sustainable meals and embed good food culture across the whole school day. The Bronze, Silver, and Gold award levels recognise progress from compliance with School Food Standards through to leadership in freshly prepared, locally sourced, and climate-friendly menus. Criteria cover food quality, education, pupil and parent engagement, and community partnerships (e.g. local farms, gardening, cooking). Schools receive a structured framework, online tools, and expert support to develop action plans and demonstrate impact. The award promotes a “whole-school approach to food,” linking health, sustainability, and education in line with national priorities for school food improvement. Food for Life Schools Award | Soil Association 

ProVeg — School Plates (Awards / Programme)

Run by ProVeg UK (charity focused on plant-based & sustainable food). School Plates is a programme and accreditation that helps schools/caterers increase healthy, plant-forward options and reduce the carbon intensity of menus; includes menu review, training, nudges and an awards process.

Awards require compliance with School Food Standards plus measurable increase in plant-based options, chef training, taste-testing, and evidence of positive uptake/behavioural change. Focus on sustainability/low-carbon menus and increasing uptake of healthier, plant-rich meals are priorities. School Plates - ProVeg UK

Healthy Active Schools Award Suffolk (Active Suffolk Partnership)

Led by Active Suffolk (Countywide Active Partnership) the award scheme uses a whole-school, data-driven approach to increase physical activity and address childhood excess weight. Schools complete a baseline survey and develop bespoke action plans. Offers staff CPD, resource sharing, and cluster-based collaboration.Strong countywide model promoting health through activity, supporting a holistic “Healthy Schools” vision for Suffolk. Active Suffolk – Active Healthy Schools Award – Coming September 2025 

ProVeg — School Plates (Awards / Programme)

Run by ProVeg UK (charity focused on plant-based & sustainable food). School Plates is a programme and accreditation that helps schools/caterers increase healthy, plant-forward options and reduce the carbon intensity of menus; includes menu review, training, nudges and an awards process.

Awards require compliance with School Food Standards plus measurable increase in plant-based options, chef training, taste-testing, and evidence of positive uptake/behavioural change. Focus on sustainability/low-carbon menus and increasing uptake of healthier, plant-rich meals are priorities. School Plates - ProVeg UK

Middlesbrough Eat Well Schools Award 

Run by Middlesbrough Local authority public-health with a Bronze/Silver/Gold award framework requiring compliance with School Food Standards plus local criteria (food policy, breakfast club standards, food education, parental engagement). Criteria includes food policy, supportive dining environment, curriculum links and evidence of promotion/uptake of school meals; higher levels require broader leadership and community work.  Practical and low-cost for schools to join; aligns with local public-health priorities and is easier to adapt to local commissioning contexts than some national certifications. Eat Well Schools Award | Middlesbrough Council

Healthy Schools London Award

Run by Greater London Authority (GLA) in partnership with London boroughs. It is a whole-school framework that recognises schools promoting health and wellbeing — including healthy eating, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. Schools progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Levels include Healthy eating policy and compliance with School Food Standards. Promotion of healthy snacks, lunchboxes, and water-only policies. Cooking and nutrition education embedded in the curriculum. Evidence of whole-school engagement and community involvement. Healthy Early Years London and Healthy Schools London | London City Hall

Leeds Healthy Schools and Settings — Healthy Eating Award

Run by Leeds City Council, Public Health team the award is a strand of the broader Leeds Healthy Schools programme focusing on food and nutrition. Schools can achieve a Healthy Eating Award by demonstrating best practice in food provision, education, and policy. Supported by a toolkit criteria includes Compliance with School Food Standards and a written healthy eating policy. Access to cooking and nutrition learning opportunities for all pupils. Active promotion of healthy meals, snacks and drinks. Staff training in healthy eating and support for pupil voice. This locally tailored award is embedded within a whole-school improvement model, helping schools build sustainable, evidence-based food cultures that link to Ofsted priorities and local child health outcomes. Healthy Schools. | Leeds for Learning

Programmes

Here are UK programmes that help schools serve healthier meals and make food education part of everyday learning

• Chefs in Schools is a UK charity transforming school food by training chefs and kitchen teams to cook nutritious, fresh meals from scratch and by supporting schools to embed food education across the curriculum. They work directly with schools to improve menus, train catering staff, and make lunchtime a valued part of the school day. 
• School Food Matters is a charity that campaigns for fresh, healthy school meals and provides practical food education programs to help children understand where food comes from, how it’s grown, and how to cook it. They connect schools with food producers, run gardening and cooking projects, and advocate nationally for better school food policy.
• The Soil Association is a UK charity promoting healthy, sustainable food and farming. It helps schools serve freshly prepared, seasonal, and locally sourced meals, while also integrating food education, gardening, and community engagement into everyday school life, all through its Food for Life program. 
• TastED is a UK charity bringing sensory food education into primary schools, helping children explore, taste, and develop a curiosity for a wide variety of ingredients. Through simple, classroom-friendly activities that require no cooking equipment, they equip teachers to lead regular tasting sessions that build children's confidence with food, broaden their palates, and foster a lifelong positive relationship with eating well.
• Farms for City Children is a UK charity that gives urban primary school children the incredible experience of living and working on a real farm for a week. Children get to care for animals, grow food and work the land, building a genuine understanding of where food comes from.
• Best Food Forward is a programme based at The School of Artisan Food, designed and led by a registered dietitian. Through practical, hands-on cook-and-learn sessions, they make food education accessible and enjoyable for everyone, helping people of all backgrounds build a better understanding of food and the confidence to cook it.

 

What works: real examples of school food change

The following case studies show how parents, schools, and communities across the UK have successfully worked together to improve school food. They highlight a range of approaches, from parent-led campaigning and partnership working to strong leadership and whole-school culture change. Together, these examples illustrate the powerful role parents can play in advocating for healthier, more inclusive school food environments.

Share other examples of good practice

Merton Primary School

In Merton, a parent-led campaign group raised concerns over the quality of school meals provided by a commercial caterer and forced senior leadership and the catering provider to respond. One parent-governor described a meeting where 250 parents signed a petition demanding better, healthier food provision. Their pressure resulted in negotiations with the provider and the school revisiting kitchen equipment, food choice and dining conditions. The case demonstrates that when parents organise and engage with governors and school leadership, they can act as a catalyst for improved standards in school meals.

Connect (Scottish Parent Teacher Council) & St Joseph’s Primary School (Scotland)

At St Joseph’s Primary, parents, the Parent Council/PTA and the wider community worked alongside the school and catering team to design a new school garden and integrate healthier food into the curriculum and meals. The joint action by parents and school staff led not only to improved food awareness but direct improvements in the school meal offer itself. It shows how parent-school partnership can deliver tangible food and dining quality changes.

Laurel Park School

Laurel Park School in Enfield transformed its lunchtime culture through a partnership with Chefs in Schools. Previously dominated by snacks and processed foods, the school introduced a freshly prepared menu of hot meals and salads using seasonal ingredients, led by a newly appointed Head Chef. Staff began eating alongside pupils, and the dining space was redesigned to create a more welcoming environment. The senior leadership team’s commitment by funding the initiative and embedding it in school values turned the project into a full cultural shift rather than a simple menu update.

 

Why healthy school food matters

As parents, we all want our children to grow up healthy, and that includes a healthy relationship to food. With children in school for an average of 190 days every year, the food served in our schools, and the education about food they receive, plays an important role our children’s health and dietary preferences.

Whilst many parents report satisfaction with the food offered to their children in school, many others are frustrated. It might be what's on the menu or the size of portions, too little veg or too much sugar, meeting special dietary needs or including culturally appropriate food on menus. It might be the size of the lunch break or the lunch queue, and having enough time to both eat well and play.

Healthy school meals support children’s concentration, energy levels and overall wellbeing. They can also make a real difference for families by helping to ease food costs and making sure every child gets a balanced meal, whatever their circumstances.

The benefits don’t stop at the school gate. Evidence shows that when school meals are nutritious and accessible, children do better at school, families feel more supported, and communities benefit in the long run.

Below, we’ve broken down the key ways that good school food makes a difference for children and families, using evidence from our Superpowers of School Meals evidence pack.

Nutritional benefit & health outcomes

Children eating school meals consume more fruit and vegetables than those bringing packed lunches. In fact, our Superpowers of School Meals report shows 1.6% of packed lunches meet the School Food Standards.

Universal free school meals have been linked to improvements in children’s health and weight. For example, a 5-8% reduction in obesity rates has been recorded where pupils received free school meals throughout primary schools in some London boroughs.

Good quality school meals help ensure children are nourished, supporting physical health and wellbeing, particularly for children from food-insecure homes.

Educational & developmental benefit

Hunger and poor nutrition undermines learning with teachers reporting that pupils coming to school hungry are more distracted, tired, and disruptive.

Well-fed children are better able to concentrate and engage in learning, improving attainment especially for children from less affluent backgrounds.

One study found that children receiving school meals for nine years from primary school increased their lifetime earnings by almost 6% (Superpowers of School Meals, pg 9).

Reducing inequalities & supporting families

High-quality school meals help level the playing field, giving every child the same chance to eat well and do well at school. They also support families financially by reducing the cost and stress of providing lunches every day. It also helps children feel a sense of belonging and reduce stigma.

Wider economic & societal value

Investing in healthy school food doesn’t just help individual families, it benefits everyone. Evidence shows that expanding access to free, nutritious school meals delivers long-term value through better health, improved education and stronger future earnings. By supporting healthy eating early on, we can also reduce the risk of food-related ill health later in life, helping to ease pressure on the health system in the future.

 

School Food Standards

School food standards are set separately in each part of the UK. While they all aim to ensure children are offered healthy meals, how strong the rules are and how well they’re checked, varies depending on where you live.

Parents overwhelmingly want this to change. Our nationwide polling of 2,000 UK parents shows that 8 in 10 support stronger enforcement and monitoring of school food standards, alongside serving more fresh fruit and yoghurt instead of cakes and puddings. This is echoed by a Chefs in Schools poll of 1,000 UK parents, which found that 96% believe school meals should be made with fresh, nutritious ingredients, and 83% support stronger, enforceable standards across all schools.

What are the standards that my child’s school should be following?

England

Schools in England currently follow the School Food Standards (2014), but these are currently under review.

Schools must:

• Provide at least one portion of vegetables or salad every day
• Provide at least three different fruits each week
• Provide wholegrain foods regularly
• Limit deep-fried foods to no more than two portions per week
• Limit desserts and cakes
• Restrict sugary drinks (no sugary soft drinks allowed)
• Provide free drinking water at all times

There are also rules on:

• Meat products (to limit highly processed meats)
• Dairy provision
• Oily fish (at least once every three weeks)

There's a useful infographic here.

Many organisations are calling for the standards to better reflect what we know about healthy and sustainable diets today - including more vegetables, beans and pulses, less sugar, fewer processed meats, and more freshly prepared food.

The government has committed to update and strengthen School Food Standards with a nine-week consultation. This is a great opportunity for parents to get involved and have your say on what should be on your children's plate.

Sustain’s parent ambassador, Mandy Mazliah, who has 3 children aged 15, 14 & 10 says: 

"I’m pleased the government is reviewing school food standards. As a mum of three, I’ve been shocked by how often options like doughnuts, sausage rolls and sugary or ultra-processed foods dominate. This is a real opportunity to improve what children are eating by cutting sugar and ultra-processed foods while increasing vegetables, whole foods and plant-based options. Our children need good quality food to fuel their learning and ensure that they can live healthy lives."

The quality of school meals currently varies widely, with no formal national monitoring system in place. The government has pledged to change this, with details of a new national enforcement mechanism due in September 2026 and compliance enforced from September 2027.

Scotland

Scotland follows the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (2020). 

Schools must:

• Make sure school meals include the right balance of energy, vitamins and nutrients
• Limit red and processed meat
• Restrict high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods
• Provide vegetables daily
• Ensure portion sizes are appropriate for age

Sugary drinks are not permitted.

Scotland combines food-based standards with nutrient targets, meaning schools must meet calorie, fat, salt and sugar limits across menus.

In Scotland, school meal standards are monitored by Education Scotland's team of Health and Nutrition inspectors, and there is also a self evaluation framework for schools to use. 

Wales

Wales currently follows the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013. 

Schools must:

• Provide fruit and vegetables daily
• Restrict foods high in fat, sugar and salt
• Limit deep-fried foods
• Ensure appropriate portion sizes
• Provide only water, milk or limited approved drinks

New regulations were laid at the end of 2025 and will come into force from 31 October 2026.

Plans include clearer portion sizes for different age groups, stricter limits on sugar and fat, more fruit and vegetables, and limiting drinks to water, milk or certain plant-based alternatives. 

The Welsh government published new guidance in March 2026 on the roles of school governing bodies, local authorities and the national school inspection organisation Estyn, for ensuring healthy eating in state-maintained schools.  

Northern Ireland

Schools in Northern Ireland must follow the Nutritional Standards for School Lunches, originally introduced in 2007. These standards were reviewed in 2020, and updated rules have been phased in from 2022.

These include:

• Minimum portions of fruit and vegetables
• Restrictions on fried foods
• Limits on confectionery and sugary drinks
• Portion guidance for different age groups

  

 School food roles and responsibilities

School food decisions happen at more than one level. Schools should listen to the wider school community when making decisions about food. This includes parents and carers, pupils, and school staff such as teachers and catering teams. Feedback might be gathered through surveys, meetings or school councils.

By asking questions, sharing concerns, or speaking to school leaders or governors, parents can help make sure school food works in practice and meets the needs of children and families.

National guidance and legislation

Schools in each UK nation must follow legally binding school food regulations that set requirements for nutrition, portion sizes and the types of food and drink that can be offered, creating a framework to help ensure school meals support children’s health and learning.

• England: School Food Standards set by the Department for Education.
• Scotland: Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (set by the Scottish Government).
• Wales: Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations.
• Northern Ireland: Nutritional Standards for School Lunches (Department of Education NI).

Local authority oversight

For state-maintained schools, local authorities often play a role in:

• Advising schools on policy development.
• Monitoring compliance with national standards.
• Supporting catering contracts or guidance for healthy eating initiatives.

This ensures that schools’ decisions are consistent with regional priorities and resources.

School leadership and governance

Day-to-day decisions are usually made at school level:

• Headteachers and senior leaders are responsible for implementing a school food policy that follows the national legislation and school food standards.
• The leadership team is also responsible for ensuring parents are provided with up-to-date information about school meals (breakfast clubs, school lunches), including menus, prices and how to apply for free school meals if eligible.
• School governors or trustees approve food policies and help set the school’s overall approach to wellbeing and inclusion.

Governors (or trustees) play an important role in shaping the school’s food culture and making sure standards are being met and the school’s food policy is being delivered in practice and promoting healthier, more inclusive meals for all pupils. There should be at least one designated link governor or trustee supporting the food policy. You can show your school’s governing body this practical guide by Chefs in Schools to support their statutory responsibilities.

The National Governance Association also has a very useful e-learning module for parent governors to learn about responsibilities to ensure healthy school food policies.

What is a school food policy?

Every school should have a school food policy. It’s a written guide that explains the school’s approach to ensuring food and drink. As a parent or carer, you have a right to see this. If you can’t find it on your school’s website, you can ask the Headteacher to share it with you.

A school food policy should set out what kind of food is offered, how healthy meals are provided, and how the school creates a positive food environment for children. A good school food policy helps make sure pupils have access to safe, balanced and nutritious food, and that everyone involved from school leaders to catering staff understands their role. 

What parents can expect from a school food policy

A clear school food policy should help you understand:

• What food is served at school, including how meals meet health and nutrition standards
• How the school supports healthy eating, including snacks, drinks and celebrations
• How food safety and allergies are managed
• Who is responsible for school food, from leadership to catering staff
• How parents and pupils can share feedback or raise concerns

Who makes your child’s school meals?

In most UK schools, meals are provided either in-house by school staff or through an external catering provider. External providers may include companies like Chartwells, Sodexo or local catering contractors.

What are the different type of catering contracts? 

• In-House Catering: The school runs its own kitchen, hires staff, and prepares meals on-site. This allows for fresh, nutritious food, local ingredients, and menus tailored to pupils’ needs. It also supports food education. The school manages food safety, staff training, and nutrition standards.
• Council-managed catering: The local council provides meals and manages staff, menus, and compliance with national nutrition standards. Schools can work with the council to suggest menu improvements or source local produce.
• Private contracts: Some schools use private companies through contracts. These caterers deliver meals according to agreed standards for nutrition, portion size, and quality, and provide the kitchen staff to deliver them in the school. Private catering can bring expertise and investment but needs careful school oversight and management of contracts.
• Academy schools are still required to meet the School Food Standards, but the way catering is arranged and monitored is often more flexible than in council-managed schools.

The catering provider works with the school to:

• Plan and prepare meals that meet national food standards
• Offer a range of meals and cater for allergies, special diets and cultural needs
• Help promote healthy eating across the school

School leaders and governors are responsible for checking that the catering service is doing a good job and meeting both nutrition and quality standards.

If you have questions or concerns about the school food served at your child’s school, you can:

• Find out about your child’s school food policy.
• Speak to the school office, headteacher or senior leadership team about menus or catering.
• Contact a school governor to raise concerns or suggest improvements.
• Share feedback through parent surveys, meetings or parent councils.
• Ask how the school checks that meals meet School Food Standards.

 

Free school meals: What every parent needs to know

Free School Meals help ensure children can access a healthy lunch during the school day and can also unlock extra support for schools. School meals eligibility varies slightly across the UK, because education provision is devolved.

Who is eligible for free school meals where I live?

England

In England, during 2025/26 children can get free school meals if their parent or carer receives Universal Credit and has net earned income of £7,400 a year or less (after tax, not including benefits). 

From September 2026, the government will extend eligibility for free school meals to all children from families in receipt of Universal Credit. 

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 already receive meals automatically under Universal Infant Free School Meals, but families should still register if eligible so schools receive additional funding.

Some children living in families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) as part of immigration conditions may also qualify, although the income thresholds for families with No Recourse to Public Funds are different, reflecting the fact that these families do not receive benefits. 

Scotland

Scotland provides universal free school meals for all children in primaries 1 to 5, meaning every pupil in these years gets a free lunch during term time regardless of income. Families are still encouraged to apply if they meet income‑based criteria so that schools receive associated funding. 

For primaries 6 and 7, children can currently receive free school meals if their family receives the Scottish Child Payment or other qualifying benefits — this is now being delivered as part of the phased expansion of the programme. 

In addition, a ‘test of change’ phase is underway for some pupils in S1–S3 (secondary 1 to 3) whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment, running in eight local authority areas to help further expand eligibility.

Wales

Wales provides universal free school meals for all primary school pupils, regardless of income. Eligibility for meals in secondary remains those in receipt of UC or equivalent benefits with income lower than £7400 before tax after benefits.

Northern Ireland

Eligibility is based on receipt of certain benefits and low household income, and families must apply through the Education Authority to receive support (and often related uniform grants).

How to apply

Applying for free school meals is usually simple and done through your local authority.

1. Visit your council or education authority website and search “Free School Meals”.
2. Complete the online form (you’ll usually need your National Insurance or benefit details).
3. The council checks eligibility and informs the school directly.
4. Once approved, meals are provided automatically.

Schools or local councils can also help check eligibility if you’re unsure whether you qualify. You can find more details here.

Why it’s important to apply (even if meals are universal)

Even where meals are provided for all pupils, registering for free school meals is crucial, and can deliver additional benefits for your child and the whole school.

• Your child may also qualify for additional financial support (such as Pupil Premium), which provides further funding to the school for teaching and support, such as providing booster classes, specialist learning support or subsidising access to school trips and clubs. 
• Your family may be able to access further schemes such as holiday food and activity programmes, uniform grants or additional local council support.
• Your school will have better information and resources to ensure all children have equal access, regardless of family circumstances.