CHILD POVERTY STRATEGY

Frances Wood, Deputy Director, Employability and Tackling

Poverty

STATISTICS

• 21% of our children still live in poverty.

• This compares with 23% for the UK as a whole in 2007-08.

• The proportion in Scotland has fallen from 28% in 1998-99 and levelled off at around 20-21% since 2004-05.

• IFS Projections

WHY HAVE A STRATEGY?

• Requirement of the Child Poverty Act 2010

• To develop a clear focus on the policies required to improve Scotland’s children’s outcomes – particularly those of the poorest children

• To set out key commitments which have the greatest impact on tackling child poverty

WHAT DOES THE STRATEGY DO?

• Sets out what can and should be done to make the most impact on reducing levels of child poverty, and on improving outcomes for children growing up in poverty.

• 2 key outcomes:

1. Maximising household resources

2. Improving children’s wellbeing and

life chances

WHAT DOES THE STRATEGY NOT DO?

• Unable to touch on reserved issues such as:

– Welfare Reform

– UK Budget Decisions

LONG TERM APPROACH • Building on existing long term strategies to

tackle intergenerational cycles of deprivation

• Three underpinning principles:

1. Early intervention and prevention: breaking cycles of poor outcomes

2. Building on the assets of individuals and communities: moving away from a focus on deficits

3. Ensuring that children and families needs are at the centre of service design and delivery

11 KEY ACTIONS OF THE STRATEGY

1. MAXIMISING HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES:

• increase the numbers of parents in good quality employment

• Increase household incomes

• Reduce pressure on household budgets

2. IMPROVING CHILDREN’S LIFE CHANCES:

• To ensure that more children have positive outcomes in the early years, and that more children grow up in nurturing, stable households, with good parenting and home learning environments

• To reduce health inequalities among children and families

• To ensure children and young people receive the opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their socio-economic background

• To ensure that more young people are in positive and sustained destinations

• To ensure that families receive the support they need, when they need it – especially the most vulnerable

3. THE ROLE OF COMMUNITIES AND PLACE:

• To reduce levels of child poverty and minimise the impact of socio-economic disadvantage on children through communities and place

4. DRIVING CHANGE:

• To drive change through working with local partners

MONITORING AND REVIEWING PROGRESS

• National Measures

• Local Measures

• Support for Monitoring child poverty at a local level

• Reviewing Progress

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

• We must continue to work together to tackle the long term drivers of poverty and disadvantage

• Recognise the need to support those experiencing poverty now!

• We must remember that this is a long term approach and continue to build on our existing long term strategies to tackle intergenerational cycles of deprivation.

Where can I find the strategy?

Phone for a hard copy on:

0131 244 0094

OR

Visit the following website:

www.scotland.gov.uk/publications

Any questions?