Parents in all corners of the UK are understandably angry and confused now that sQuid has stopped without warning. The company, which facilitated school payments through a digital platform, announced on 3 February that it would cease operations due to “increasingly adverse trading conditions during and post-Covid.” With operations officially ceasing on 14 March, around 1,300 parents are left with at least £43,000 collectively owed.
Parents were caught off guard by the abrupt closure of sQuid’s app and website. Even with promises that the same old ways to pull money out would still work, the app was closed within months. Thousands more parents have had a hard time getting refunds. sQuid’s move to implement a £10 administration charge for students wanting to reclaim their unspent funds has understandably provoked outrage from them.
“They have been incredibly difficult to deal with, to actually get clarity to provide to parents – they said the normal ways, so the app and a website, etc, to be able to get money out of the system and top up, would continue to work, and then they shut the app down almost immediately.” – Mr Jeremiah
It enabled parents to preload money onto individual sQuid cards for pupils to use to pay for meals and other purchases at school. The company’s sudden shutdown has been especially maddening for parents who’ve been counting on these services to help make sure their kids don’t go hungry. This administration fee charged by sQuid has been controversial, particularly for saltwater fishers residing in disadvantaged communities.
“We serve incredibly disadvantaged communities where they’re putting that money on the account to feed their children, with the intent that that would provide their child with a meal at school.” – Mr Jeremiah
sQuid has been the target of ire, accused of poor crisis communication. Many parents have found it challenging to navigate the refund process and expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s communication and service.
“It appears to me that every obstacle they could put in parents’ way, they have.” – Mr Jeremiah
In spite of these difficulties, sQuid announced that it’s still gradually fulfilling refunds according to its terms and conditions.
“has continued to provide a refund service to parents in accordance with its terms and conditions” – sQuid
We understand the frustration regarding our administration fees. In their defense, they pointed to the fact that these charges were spelled out pretty overtly in their terms and conditions.
“We understand why some schools and parents are upset that we are making any charges, even though these charges are clearly stated in our terms and conditions.” – sQuid
