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

2. Context: Child Poverty in Scotland
1 in 4 children in Scotland living in poverty ( )
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

3. 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

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

5. First national delivery plan published in March 2018

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

7. 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 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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?

15. 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

16. 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

17. Contact details Hanna McCulloch
National Co-ordinator – Local Child Poverty Action Reports
Improvement Service
Mobile: