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?