1. Tackling Family Poverty Morag Stewart Deputy Director of Public Health NHS Luton

2. Lack of income and material resources in childhood can affect future life chances for a child – and can shape their whole lives into adulthood ‘Ending child poverty everybody’s business’ (3) Social & educational trajectories (4) Labour market position (1) Material resources (2) Early Years development Children's Life Chances & Family Well-Being Poverty cycle

3. Why child poverty matters Living in poverty leads to poorer outcomes later in life: Lower educational attainment – poorer children are 50% less likely to get 5 good GCSEs Poorer health – poorer children are three times as likely to suffer mental health disorders Higher mortality rates – children in poorer neighbourhoods will die, on average, 7 years before a child in the richest areas

4. Why child poverty matters Living in poverty also has an immediate impact on children’s lives and leads to social exclusion. Of children in the poorest 20% of the population:  60% can’t afford a week’s holiday away with family  22% don’t have any outdoor space to play safely  18% can’t afford to have their friends round for tea or a snack once a fortnight

5. The UK has one of the highest child poverty rates amongst developed countries 2.8 million children live in relative poverty in the UK Child poverty costs the country over £25 billion a year in extra costs The Coalition Government has confirmed the commitment previously made to eradicate child poverty by 2020 Child Poverty - National Situation

6. Child Poverty Act 2010 Became law in March 2010 The Act sets out four targets to eradicate child poverty by 2020 1.Relative low income - less than 10% 2.Combined low income and material deprivation – less than 5% 3.Absolute low income target – less than 5% 4.Persistent poverty target – to be defined

7. Child Poverty Act 2010 The Act also requires: The Government to publish a strategy to tackle child poverty every three years, and an annual report Local authorities and their delivery partners to work together to tackle child poverty and set out the contribution that they make in their local area

8. Child Poverty Act - Duties of local authorities 1.Co-operate to reduce child poverty in the local area 2.Carry out a child poverty needs assessment 3.Produce a joint local child poverty strategy 4.Have regard to child poverty when preparing or revising the Sustainable Community Strategy

9. Child Poverty Act - Local partners To tackle child poverty, local authorities must act in partnership with the following partners: The police, youth offending teams, and probation service Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities Jobcentre Plus The LA can also invite other partners to participate eg the voluntary sector

10. Child Poverty Act - Timetable Local Child Needs Assessment October 2010 Local Child Poverty Strategy April 2011 National Strategy Spring 2011

11. Child Poverty - Coalition Government “We will maintain the goal of ending child poverty in the UK by 2020” Coalition Agreement New plans for early intervention:  4,200 extra Sure Start health visitors  Pupil Premium to help disadvantaged children Announced by Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minster on 17/6/10

12. Formed multi-agency Family Poverty Steering Group Joined regional child poverty group for local authorities – organised by GO-East Secured extra support from C4EO (Layla Richards) and Infotrain (Len Simkins) Progress in Luton

13. Set up links with strategic groups  Luton Forum (Local Strategic Partnership)  Children and Young People’s Trust Board  Luton Assembly Started work on Family Poverty Needs Assessment Arranged today’s consultation event for stakeholders Progress in Luton

14. A multi-agency approach should be used to tackle child poverty – it is not just a Children’s Services issue The work should be focused on tackling family poverty – children are in poverty because of their family’s situation The Family Poverty Needs Assessment and the Strategy should be “owned” by Luton Forum – not Luton Council Decisions taken

15. Eradicating child and family poverty is a massive task – but is an even bigger challenge in the current economic climate with cuts in central and local government budgets Although LBC and partners can develop a Family Poverty Strategy, levels of child and family poverty are strongly influenced by external factors eg recession, national policies A Strategy to tackle family poverty does not address other important forms of poverty eg pensioner poverty, disability poverty Reality check