Partnership Approaches to Preventing and Tackling Child Poverty 17 October 2011 James Hardy Children Schools and Families Locality Manager

“His parents need support to care for him” Health Visitor “His parents are ‘low skilled’” JobCentre Plus Advisor “He is absent without authorisation.... again” Teacher “His parents are ‘high concern and in debt’” The Housing Department “He has behavioural problems” Educational Psychologist “He’s just really antisocial.” The Community “He’s at risk” Social Worker “But I just want to live my childhood”

Understanding Child Poverty? Webpage Search for child poverty at

Understanding geographical variations is important for service delivery

Urban Rural Classification

Child poverty continues to matter Employment - there are neighbourhoods in Cornwall where worklessness is a severe and persistent problem. These areas are closely associated with child poverty - in some neighbourhoods over 50% of children live in benefit dependent households. Education - in general educational attainment decreases as levels of child poverty increase in Cornwall. This relationship gets stronger at Key Stages 2 & 4. Patterns of under achievement get harder to reverse by the teenage years. Health - 11% of children in reception classes in Cornwall and 18% of children in year 6 are classified as obese. Studies show links between poverty & social exclusion. If obesity is not addressed it can result in serious medical problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent), high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. Social -Adults and young people convicted of offences are often some of the most socially excluded within society. Deprived areas experience a disproportionate amount of crime and there is a significant correlation between crime rates and the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2007

Responses to child poverty need to be undertaken in the collective context of child, family, home & community LIFE CHANCES Education Childcare Health Youth Supporting families PLACE & LOCAL DELIVERY Housing Localism Transport Communities EMPLOYMENT & SKILLS Adult skills JCP Support Employment policies—flexible working etc FINANCIAL SUPPORT Welfare Reform WTC, CTC, Housing benefit take up Poverty in childhood does not translate into poor outcomes More families are in work that pays & have the support they need to progress Financial support is responsive to families’ situations Child’s environment support them to thrive

Supporting Families – Locality Teams

Integrated Locality Teams Additional Support Manager – Social Work Children’s Centre Managers Family Support Workers Scallywags Behaviour Support Workers Senior SENCO (Special Educational Needs) Early Support Co-ordinator Youth Work Co-ordinators Targeted Youth Support Family Information Advisor Child Care and Play Development Managers Locality Admin & Children’s Centre Admin Careers SW Service Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust JobCentre Plus

Federated Children’s Centres & Core Purpose? Improve outcomes and narrow gaps – particularly in terms of identifying, reaching and helping the families in greatest need to improve their parenting capacity; their health and wellbeing; and their child’s development and school readiness. Using evidence-based methodologies to assess need in the local community to inform a local, integrated offer of support which ensures funding and resources are aimed at those in greatest need. Providing integrated support to children and families, with a portfolio of targeted evidence based interventions for those in greatest need. Acting as a hub for the local community, building social capital.

Care Pathway Approaches ‘Triggers and clues’ training and understanding of the impact of debt/poverty/worklessness Early identification by the Integrated Children's Team via the Pre-CAF assessment Enabling appropriate support through ‘Cornwall Works’ referral Longitudinal, holistic support

Using the evidence for action Recommendations: 1.Ensure the Council and partners recognise and act upon the impact of child poverty 2.Collaborative solutions are critical 3.Ensuring provision supports earlier intervention 4.Challenging the geographical allocation of resources based upon need 5.Open channels and solutions for significant issues in localities 6.Preparing our services for impact of policy and economic changes 7.Valuing an increasing role of the voluntary sector

Questions? Contact: James Hardy