National 3rd sector GIRFEC Project Hanna McCulloch National Coordinator – Local Child Poverty Action Reports

Context: Child Poverty in Scotland 1 in 4 children in Scotland living in poverty (230 000) Over 60% of children in poverty live in working households 2013 data shows no local authority without at least one ward with 1 in 10 in poverty

Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 The Act consists of the following key elements: Four interim targets to be met by 2023 and final targets to be met by 2030 Less than 10% of children live in relative poverty (18% in 2023) Less than 5% of children live in absolute poverty (14% in 2023) Less than 5% of children live with a combination of low income and material deprivation (8% in 2023) Less than 5% of children live in persistent poverty (8% in 2023) Duties on Scottish Ministers to publish: Delivery Plans in April 2018, 2022, and 2026 Annual progress reports A final progress report setting out whether targets have been met

Every Child, Every Chance approach: (i)Clear focus on drivers of poverty

First national delivery plan published in March 2018

Every Child, Every Chance approach: (ii) Focus on ‘priority groups’

Section 13 – Local Child poverty Action Reports Action reports must be jointly produced by local partners (LAs and Health Boards, as minimum) They must set out actions taken to reduce child poverty in 2018-19 reporting year They must also set out actions for future year(s) They must make specific reference to pregnant women and families with children getting help with eligibility and applying for financial support They must give consideration to those with protected characteristics

Developing a Local Child Poverty Action Report Guidance (2018) Identify local partners Assess child poverty locally Identify existing action Identify new action Share what is working

Guidance draws links between LCPAR and CSP CSP Guidance The commitment to reduce child poverty (including relevant indicators) should be reflected in CSPs – para 75 LCPAR Guidance Linkages should be drawn with CSP and duplication avoided (in relation to consultation, needs assessment, progress reporting) – p14 Highlights that Strategic Children’s Services Planning Groups may be well placed to develop LCPARs – p 15

Value added for CSP by separate Local Child Poverty Action Reports Focus on reducing poverty rather than mitigating its effects - Key part of preventative approach to improving child wellbeing - Potentially huge impact on scale and nature of demand for children’s services. Reach beyond organisations providing service for children (economic development, employability, transport, housing etc.) Focus on structural rather than individual factors

And vice versa Improved child wellbeing may reduce risk of future poverty Accessibility of children's services have disproportionate impact on children in poverty Children’s services have the potential to have a huge impact on the key drivers of child poverty. Availability, affordability and flexibility of childcare Income from employment Income maximization referral pathways from children’s services Income from social security Cost of a school day and other services Cost of living

Potential for some shared structures and processes Both require: Partnership working amongst a wider range of local partners An understanding of nature and extent of child poverty and its impacts An understanding of the practical obstacles experienced by families locally An understanding of reach and effectiveness of existing services An ability to meaningfully involve families in policy making and service delivery

Role for the third sector in LCPAR development and implementation Informing local understanding of issues experienced by families Providing a channel for parents voices Trusted and independent voice to influence change and share good practice

Potential question for discussion Are you aware of mechanisms in place for LCPAR development and how they relate to Children’s Services Planning Groups in your area? Is there scope for meaningful 3rd sector involvement? Are you aware of evidence and activity that might rightfully inform LCPAR?

The ‘national partners’ Organisation Name NHS Health Scotland Kerry McKenzie Rachel McAdams Child Poverty Action Group Scotland John Dickie Scottish Government Paul Tyrer Elizabeth Fraser Andrew Fraser Alison Stout Improvement Services Andrew McGuire Hanna McCulloch Glasgow Caledonian University (SPIRU) John McKendrick Stephen Sinclair NHS National Services Scotland Philip Johnston Poverty Alliance Peter Kelly COSLA Robert McGregor Matthew Sweeney Khub

Further support and information NHS HS Outcome Based Planning Tool SPIRU and SG exploration of local data Data & evaluation LCPAR Knowledge Hub National and Regional Events Networking and Information Exchange NHS HS Good Practice Directory Webinars, seminars, Transport Action Learning Set Info on Khub Examples of good practice Feedback on draft plans where possible Feedback framework Contribution to local and regional meetings where possible Support with plan development Poverty Alliance – Get Heard Engagement with elected members, SOLACE etc. Involvement and local awareness raising

Contact details Hanna McCulloch National Co-ordinator – Local Child Poverty Action Reports Improvement Service Mobile: 07799860906   Email: Hanna.McCulloch@improvementservice.org.uk