Highland Families Money+ Project Preventing Poverty

Background ESF Poverty and Social Inclusion 2014-2020 programme Match funded by Highland Council New ESF strand aims to tackle poverty and inequality in Scottish society. Key targets: Preventing Poverty Project (named Money+ externally) Universal approach, focus on parents and carers Increasing financial capability Move On Project Targeted approach, known to but disengaged from services, increase positive outcomes for disadvantaged participants

Why is it important? Child poverty has been rising and is predicted to continue to rise further. Estimated 26% now living in Child Poverty in Scotland. “growing up in families without the resources to ‘obtain the type of diet, participate in the activities and have the living conditions and amenities’ which are the norm in 21st century Scotland.” CPAG Scotland 67% of children in poverty are living in households where at least one adult was in work. (In 2013/14, 56%)

Why is it important? cont. Legislative duties focusing on addressing child poverty: Child Poverty Act Aims to reduce the number of children experiencing the effects of poverty by 2030. Places duty on Local Authorities to provide Local Child Poverty Action Reports Principles of the Act supported by existing framework Community Empowerment Act – focus on socio-economic inequality Children and Young People (Scotland) Act Practice Model approach Early Years Framework Scottish Attainment Challenge

Money+ Project Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey CAB were procured to provide money management and financial inclusion advice to families with children in targeted areas. Network of bureaux in Inverness, Nairn, Lochaber, Ross & Cromarty & Caithness. Currently targets early primary and nursery settings in the 11 most deprived ASG areas.    - Inverness High School - Tain Academy - Wick High School - Thurso High School - Golspie High School - Lochaber High School - Kinlochleven High School - Nairn Academy - Invergordon Academy - Alness Academy - Glenurquhart High

Where is the Money+ service provided? In schools and nurseries, by drop in sessions At school events Talks and stalls at open days Visiting community groups Attendance at Merkinch Family Centre Working in partnership with professionals by referrals, home visits, visits at local CAB

Dedicated Project Workers provide help on range of issues: Childcare costs & entitlement information Banking, saving, energy bills, payment methods, charitable applications Debt management support and referrals to specialist money advisers where appropriate School Clothing Grants & Free School Meals Income maximisation, benefit checks and better off calculations Advice on budgeting and support to complete forms and maintain benefit claims.

Project benefits to families Reaching families who wouldn’t access this type of service Early intervention, preventative and universal approach Reduces stigma around seeking help with money Provides intensive help to families who are not at ‘crisis point’ to prevent this occurring Provides a dedicated worker in a setting suited to the family

Money+ families ___ families have engaged with the Money+ service, 85 of these have been fully registered to recieve financial inclusion advice (to end August 2018) Family from Ross & Cromarty CAB.. “School meals & clothing grant awarded thanks to help of Money+ Worker, she carried out all my Benefit checks and entitlement and supported me through a very difficult time, very positive outcome. Discussed all my debts and the options  that were available to me, there was regular communication, calls, meetings and emails which kept me up to speed every step of the way, unbelievable service.” Melissa MacDonald, Preventing Poverty Manager melissa.macdonald3@highland.gov.uk

Jennifer MacDonald, Merkinch Family Centre. Money+ families “I feel having the workers coming into the family centre where families feel comfortable has helped with the success of this service.  I believe that the majority our families would not have made contact with or gone into an office due to lots of reasons… I can not commend the service enough for the difference it has already made to the lives of children and their families. ”   Jennifer MacDonald, Merkinch Family Centre. Melissa MacDonald, Preventing Poverty Manager melissa.macdonald3@highland.gov.uk

Phase 2 - Application being developed for Phase 2 of the ESF Programme which would allow for a further 2 years funding (past December 2018) for Money+ Project - Seeking to build on links with schools, widen schools involved and open referral pathways further. - Application for a new project – Food+

Highland Families Food+ Project Provide community led groups with grant funds towards tackling food insecurity and out of school hunger. Provide grants for new services which support issues around food insecurity and cost of living. Using an assets based, community led approach Provide a network for groups to support one another and increase capacity. Build partnerships within HC and other partners to strengthen relationship between community led groups & Highland Council / schools. If the application is successful, aiming to open for early 2019, over 2 years.

Preventing Poverty - 2019 onwards Continue to work to raise awareness of Child Poverty. Maximise impact of funding available to support families with children at risk of or experiencing poverty. Both projects to work together if funding secured, Money+ Project Workers will be available to communities using Food+ services. Continue contributions to: Highland Practice Model – early intervention, GIRFEC Child Poverty Action Plans – poverty drivers Poverty Reduction Outcome – HOIP Scottish Attainment Challenge

Preventing Poverty Manager melissa.macdonald3@highland.gov.uk Questions? Melissa MacDonald Preventing Poverty Manager melissa.macdonald3@highland.gov.uk