INVESTING IN YOUNG SINGLE PARENTS – INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE LAURA DEWAR SENIOR POLICY AND PARLIAMENTARY OFFICER SINGLE PARENT ACTION NETWORK

WHAT TALK WITH COVER About the Single Parent Action Network Facts and Figures about single parents What welfare changes mean to single parents and work Support for younger single parents Teenage Parents Project Why investing now will pay dividends for future

SINGLE PARENTS FACTS AND FIGURES 2 million caring for 3 million children. 9:10 women. Average age % already in work. High risk of poverty twice as likely as coupled families to live in poverty. Successive Governments want to increase the number in work 400,000 onto job seeking benefits since 2009 Job seeking when their youngest reaches 5 Universal Credit, in work conditionality, less reliance on in-work benefits Make the most whilst children are young as fewer opportunities as their child gets older

YOUNG SINGLE PARENTS Media perception Vicky Pollard 3% are teenagers 175,000 non-working single parents aged under 25 Life on benefits tough, job market tough, and lack of flexible employment SPAN proud history of empowering single parents including younger parents both through direct work and supporting projects. Long term results of investment in younger parents. Key principles important to supporting younger single parents 1) the youngest can finish school 2) build self esteem and short courses 3) longer term training and vision for future 4) Children are well cared for parenting courses and crèche. Aspirations to do well and provide for their child should be capitalised upon.

TEENAGE PARENTS PROJECT – AN INSPIRING PROJECT IN BRISTOL Project in our Network, funded in past, take part in our online education programmes and on line forum (One Space) Run by Deana Stone one of our trustees Services particularly set up for young parents aged between About parents are supported over a long period (3-4 years) 744 helped in last year Courses run at project but also in partnership with local colleges

SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE 1.Keeping Young Mothers in Education – Partnership with school including ‘education for the future’ caring for their child but also personal goals. Innovative programmes preventative work year olds. 10 peer educators 400 year 8 pupils reality of being a teen mother. 2.Short courses, life skills, ICT, literacy and numeracy. Some short courses lead to employment for some e.g. food hygiene now manages local restaurant. 3.Longer term including NVQ’s. E.g.. City of Bristol College 2 year course in youth work. Importance of children also being well cared for through Ofsted approved crèche.

INVESTMENT NOW FOR LONG TERM GAINS Government agenda single parents must work and become less reliant on benefits including in-work benefits Important for investment whilst children are young £170, social return £1: £4.84 Off benefits and into employment SPAN longer term dividends – 10 years ago project vulnerable young single parents living in temporary accommodation. One 1 st class degree – Young Mothers School Girl Project another housing association and still supports other young mothers Don’t punish and stigmatise - will not help. Energy in supporting these parents and invest in them now for the longer term gains for them, their child and society.