Child Poverty Report and Action Plan
Introduction
Colleagues across the Council; the NHS Board of Greater Glasgow and Clyde; and, the East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, have worked together on the attached local child poverty report and action plan.
The Council approved the plan at their December 2021 meeting and is committed to the statutory targets in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017, to put an end to child poverty across Scotland.
The plan is our third and is updated every year.
The plan makes progress towards meeting reductions in child poverty targets, outlining the work we do in East Dunbartonshire to give children living in low-income households the best start in life. The plan seeks to also outline some of the work we do in partnership with voluntary and community organisations, who have proven crucial to concerted efforts to meet community needs during the difficult time of the global pandemic.
The Scottish Government has asked all 32 Councils to focus efforts, through these plans, on those families who have the lowest incomes and to look specifically at producing actions under three main drivers of poverty reduction:
- Increasing income from social security
- Increasing income from employment
- Reducing essential costs of living.
We believe that if we work together to align our resources in these areas, we will make a real difference to increasing family incomes and reducing the known detrimental impacts that poverty can have on a child’s health, social wellbeing and educational achievement.
Background
The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 set ambitious income-based targets for reductions in child poverty across Scotland by 2030. The Act sets out four statutory, income-based targets (all After Housing Costs), to be achieved by 2030:
- Less than 10% of children are in relative poverty
- Less than 5% of children are in absolute poverty
- Less than 5% of children are in combined low income and material deprivation
- Less than 5% of children are in persistent poverty
Each Local Authority must publish an annual child poverty report and action plan, in partnership with the local NHS Board (Greater Glasgow and Clyde) to contribute to reductions in child poverty in their area. This is the fourth annual East Dunbartonshire plan on reducing child poverty.
The Scottish Government also report on progress, producing delivery plans for reductions in child poverty, under the Act. Their second delivery plan was published in March 2022: Best Start, Bright Futures for the period 2022-26. This followed ‘Every Child, Every Chance’ that covered the period 2018-2022. The new delivery plan acknowledges the impact of the global pandemic and outlines a range of measures to reach the 2030 targets. Actions continue to be coordinated under three themes – the drivers of child poverty reduction:
- Increasing income from employment
- Increasing income from social security
- Reducing household costs and other costs of living.
Most of the reporting for this year’s plan (March 2021 – April 2022) includes data from the period that society was experiencing lockdown restrictions, due to the global pandemic. It is clear this had a significant impact and there is a challenge ahead to meet the reductions in child poverty envisaged.
Local statistics and data
The targets set by Scottish Government require reliable annual statistics to ensure progress is being made. The main poverty data source, the Family Resources Survey, provides information at national level only. Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic the data collected for this survey was mostly not robust enough to be published as Official Statistics in 2022.
As with previous years, alternative data sources are available – some of these also provide data at Local Authority level e.g. the Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland annual publication, the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation and statistics from the Department of Work and Pensions. Ongoing changes to social security (and the pandemic) impacted upon these statistics too however which means they cannot be compared reliably from year to year or at a regional level.
UK Government Official Statistics were however published in March 2022. These outline data at East Dunbartonshire level on the number and proportion of children living in low-income families. These statistics are available Before Housing Costs (mortgage/rent and council tax), across the United Kingdom by local area for the financial year ending (FYE) 2021 and can be found on the government website
According to these statistics therefore, there were 146,000 children in Scotland aged under 16 in low income families in Scotland in Relative low income and 119,000 in Absolute low income in 2021 (Before Housing Costs). A family must have claimed Child Benefit and at least one other household benefit (Universal Credit, tax credits or Housing Benefit) at any point in the year to be classed as low income in these statistics.
East Dunbartonshire was the local authority in Scotland with the lowest proportion of children aged under 16 in low-income families for both Relative and Absolute measures at 8% and 7% respectively.
The neighbouring Local Authority of Glasgow City was the local authority in Scotland with the highest proportion of children aged under 16 in low-income families for both Relative and Absolute, measures at 25% and 20% respectively.
At Council level there is further data and information collected – for example data on those children who access Free School Meals, a School Clothing Grant or Education Maintenance Allowance. This can inform services of children in the area that require most support to overcome the challenges of living in a family with a low income.
Coordinating actions across a range of partners is planned for children in low-income families, whether this is at school, in regard to parental employment and skills or ensuring families access social security and reduce household costs.
Strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation
The East Dunbartonshire Child Poverty plan was developed by the Child Poverty Strategic group, which brings together key leads in relevant areas of the Council (e.g. schools, employability and housing), the HSCP (social work and health) and key partners i.e. ED CAB and the local Third Sector Interface (TSI). Officers also attend regional and national groupings on child poverty that are led by NHS GGC and the Improvement Service. The annual plan is considered and agreed by East Dunbartonshire Council and the Community Planning Partnership Board. NHS Grater Glasgow and Clyde Board also feed into and consider this plan amongst their planning for six local authorities in their area: Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire.
The Improvement Service worked with East Dunbartonshire Child Poverty Strategic Group members to undertake a self-evaluation of the group in May 2022. The self-evaluation covered four areas:
- Understanding local need
- Use of policy levers
- Understanding our progress
- Ways of working.
The strategic group was clear on the understanding of local need and long term targets and that the plan was informed by those with lived experience. The group was more equivocal about utilising policy levers, the specific impact on priority groups and that an appropriate balance was being struck between crisis intervention and long term preventative measures. The group was most keen to improve monitoring and evaluation of the plan, with better use of data and improved coordination operationally. Targeted engagement of those with lived experience of child poverty (e.g. in the six priority groups) was also seen as an area for continued improvement.
Key priority areas for 2022/23
East Dunbartonshire Council set out refreshed priorities in ‘Forward in Partnership’ (June 2022). This document outlined that the past 2 years has seen unprecedented times and there is a need for review of Council strategic plans to meet the challenges ahead (post COVID-19 recovery and cost of living increases). It sets out a range of priorities under four headings:
- Health and wellbeing
- Access to services
- Finance and employment
- Community and environment.
East Dunbartonshire ‘Forward in Partnership’ builds upon the review and consultation of the Locality (Place) plans that took place from December 2021 – April 2022 (further details below). Consultation was targeted in the four Locality (Place) areas that experience multiple deprivation (lowest 25% SIMD). All four communities identified the above four themes.
As part of the broader Council Strategic Planning & Performance Framework ‘Forward in Partnership’ makes a commitment to reviewing the East Dunbartonshire Local Outcomes Improvement Plan in 2022/23. A key priority for recovery and renewal is assessing the impact of the pandemic and service disruption on the most vulnerable, to support those most affected and address wider inequalities, including child poverty.
In terms of our priorities in this child poverty plan, the aims remain around ensuring families can meet food and energy costs. Additionally, our priorities are around reducing household costs for targeted families e.g. the Council is doubling the school clothing grant in 2022-23 to £240 per eligible primary school child and £300 per eligible secondary school child. This increase is aimed at helping families cope with the current cost of living increases. Employability is also a key priority of this plan – particularly for low-income parents who may be experiencing the effects of an unstable economy.
Engaging those with lived experience of poverty
In September 2021, the Community Planning Partnership Board (CPPB) agreed the process for reviewing the four Locality Plans (Place Plans.). The principles for reviewing the plans were that the priorities should: (a) Only be able to be addressed through partnership working; and, (b) Tackle poverty and inequality. This provided the foundation for the review, with the flexibility to apply a tailored approach based on local circumstances. Consultation ran from 4 December 2021 until Sunday 3 April 2022. Individuals and groups could participate through a range of mediums, including surveys, telephone, the ‘blether box’ and also participate in activity-based events. Further, street survey and pop-up stations were facilitated in priority data zones. A series of workshops introducing the ‘blether box’ and delivering sessions were facilitated. In total, 643 people participated in the consultation. 599 individual surveys were returned and four ‘blether box’ events were hosted, which supported 44 individuals to participate. 20 people participated in activity based engagement events.
An analysis of results outlined that the age group 65+ was the greatest demographic engaged in the process with 22% participation, with 55-64 being the next age group represented. 202 individuals identifying themselves with a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity participated in the survey. Across all four-locality areas, levels of engagement and participation of those under 24 years was low, although Auchinairn, Hillhead & Harestanes, and Lennoxtown communities identified the theme of children and young peoples’ health and wellbeing. Amongst the responses, a high majority of residents reported their worry about household finances post COVID-19. They spoke about how the rise in the cost of living will affect their daily lives. Many cited their worries about being able to afford buying food and paying the increased energy costs. In addition, the impact that rising fuel prices will have on getting to work. Some also mentioned they worried about losing their jobs because of an unstable economy.
In 2022-23 programmes of work will be further targeted at priority family types outlined in this plan, as we know child poverty occurs across East Dunbartonshire, not just in the four areas of Locality (Place) planning. These priority family types have been identified in research from Scottish Government as being more likely to be living in poverty:
- Lone parent families
- Families which include a disabled adult or child
- Larger families
- Minority ethnic families
- Families with a child under one year old
- Families where the mother is under 25 years of age.
East Dunbartonshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) already collect some data ion regard to these six priority family types. Working with referrals from local partners, CAB supported a total of 8,322 clients in 2020-21. Of these, 586 individual clients from the six priority family types were identified. In 2021-22 this increased to 605 vulnerable families supported - with the highest percentages being lone parents and families with a disabled member. Of the 8,322 clients CAB supported in 21-22 – just under 20% were from the Place or Locality plan areas. Overall CAB found an increase in demand over the pandemic, adapting their services quickly to the needs and restrictions of the lockdowns.
Best Start, Bright Futures
In March 2022, the Scottish Government published the new delivery plan (for the next four years until April 2026) to tackle child poverty and meet the 2030 targets to reduce child poverty The delivery plan is focussed on the three areas of poverty reduction.
Actions to increase income from employment includes: the continuation of Parental Support and Transition Funds; Young Person’s Guarantee funding; post school transitions funding; and pathfinder areas looking at ‘whole systems change’ for low income household groups in some Local Authorities.
Actions to increase income from social security includes: raising the Scottish Child Payment to £25 per child; extending Out of School Care for 1 and 2 year olds from low income households; continuation of Best Start Grants and exploring moving to automated payments; Carer’s Allowance Supplement; a new Fuel Insecurity Fund; continuing the Family Nurse Partnership programme; and providing more advice for low income families - making it easier for people to access support.
Actions to reduce household costs includes: providing more affordable homes that are warm / energy efficient; a Low Income Winter Heating Assistance scheme (replaces Cold Weather Payments in Scotland); extending Free School Meals to all children of primary age; increasing School Clothing Grant; expanding Education Maintenance Allowance; and access to devices for all pupils.
Poverty & Inequality Commission
Scotland’s Poverty and Inequality Commission published their Scrutiny Report of the new delivery Plan, Best Start, Bright Futures, in July 2022. The reports finds that, whilst action undertaken over the last few years is having a positive effect on reducing child poverty, the actions outlined for the future are unlikely to be enough to meet the 2030 child poverty targets. The commitments made in the 2022-2026 Child Poverty Delivery Plan will however help the Scottish Government make progress towards the ambitious targets.
The Commission outlined that the SG commitment to an 8% reduction in child poverty rates by the interim target of 17% in 2023, requires a renewed focus on pace and implementation, alongside monitoring of impact and partnership working. The Commission also recommends that there is further action to meet the 2030 targets, particularly around shaping the economy, housing and transport.
Taking specific and urgent action to mitigate the cost of living crisis was important for the Commission in their latest report, as the pandemic has had a significant impact on action to address child poverty, the longer-term impacts remain uncertain and that uncertainty is likely to be compounded by current economic trends.
Our three drivers of child poverty reduction
The tables below outline our report for 2021-22 and plan for 2022-23. The actions are focussed on six priority family types that are more likely to be living in poverty: lone parent families (the large majority of which are headed by women); families which include a disabled adult or child; larger families; minority ethnic families; families with a child under one year old; and, families where the mother is under 25 years of age.
The table is in three sections – the three drivers of child poverty reduction – these are colour coded with the first section on increasing income from employment being blue, the maximising income from benefits sections being orange and the reducing household costs and other costs of living section in green.
Three drivers
Employer Actions
Planned actions for 2021-22
Providing in-work support and employee support programmes.
Promotion of online campaigns with partners e.g. in regard to online moneylenders.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Ongoing Corporate communications to staff including intra/internet updates on financial wellbeing. Wellbeing links included in fortnightly DCE Update.
The NHS Healthy Working Lives campaign evidenced good reach to staff.
Planned actions for 2022
An EDC communications plan has been drafted for child poverty with forward actions on: regularly updating website, intranet and social media, and producing a leaflet of local supports.
Aim is to raise awareness of the different types of support available to people who may be financially struggling. With cost of living rising, families falling into poverty is expected to rise Focus to be on one or two issues at a time – fuel poverty and benefits for 22-23.
Community information and support is coordinated by EDC (including learning options). Fuel and food poverty are key areas to aim to mitigate for 2022/23.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Exploring other LA approaches to community benefit clauses.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Officers have explored other LA approaches to having outcomes relating to child poverty in community benefit clauses
Social benefits clause included within capital investments programmes, including house building programme and NHS and Council infrastructure programmes.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to explore options around community benefit in Council contracts, in line with current regulations and guidance.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Promotion of living wage and fair work across East Dunbartonshire.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
The number of living wage employers in East Dunbartonshire in 2022 was 23, one more than in 2021. A number of community planning partners are living wage employers including the local NHS Board of Greater Glasgow and Clyde and East Dunbartonshire Council.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Living wage and fair work is promoted in contracts and procurement, via agreed policy and procedures.
Support families settling in East Dunbartonshire under Humanitarian programmes - coordinated by EDC to ensure access to information and supports around employability, social security and reducing household and other costs of living.
Partnership Actions
Planned actions for 2021-22
The Parental Employment Support project ‘Working for Parents’ commenced delivery in East Dunbartonshire.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
The programme has supported 57 parents. Outcomes included new and improved jobs; accredited training qualifications; improved confidence and skills; and, improved household incomes.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to deliver the programme and new employability programmes outlined in Best Start, Bright Futures e.g. a Parental Transition Fund to tackle financial barriers of parents entering the labour market has been launched.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Funding allocated to the HSCP re supporting parents with a disability to improve employability.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
A new worker is now in post to support the improved employability of disabled parents, funded through the Parental
Planned actions for 2022-23
Support parents with a disability to improve their employability
Planned actions for 2021-22
EDC and partners (ED CAB and Third Sector Interface) continue to distribute Chromebooks to parents through the Connecting Scotland programme.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Chromebooks and free Wi-Fi devices were distributed to a number of young and adult learners through the Connecting Scotland programme. Feedback was very positive from those who received a device.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to develop programmes of work around digital uptake and skills in the post COVID community e.g. via literacies and libraries staff. SG commit to digital access for all pupils in Best Start, Bright futures and we know from recent locality plan engagement some rural communities e.g. Twechar still encounter issues with internet connection.
Utilising new digital technology to further community engagement part of Council’s strategic plans for 2023.
Planned actions for 2021-22
EDC and partners will progress child poverty awareness raising sessions in ongoing CPD plan for staff and Community / Voluntary groups.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Face-to-face training delivery was impacted by COVID-19, however online learning sessions took place with attendance by staff and the community.
Planned actions for 2022-23
This is part of the Community Learning and Development plan. A renewed workforce development focus and plan is in place for 2022-24.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Workforce development and information to staff (on latest entitlements for them and their clients) promoted via intranet and Corporate Communications to all staff.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Staff training on child poverty ongoing (e.g. annually by CPAG in schools) planned with / by community planning partners.
Planned actions for 2022-23
As per above. CPAG training in schools will also continue in 2023.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Child Poverty Strategic Group will meet regularly and disseminate information / progress actions with staff.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
The Child Poverty Strategic Group continues and has met four times over the year to coordinate this plan (including a self-evaluation session) Officers also attended regional / national meetings to coordinate work streams and share good practice.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Child Poverty Strategic Group will continue to meet to monitor / progress actions in 2023.
Officers will continue to attend regional / national meetings to coordinate work streams and share good practice.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Recommence Income Maximisation, Money Talks and baby clinic projects in community Place / Locality settings (Hillhead, Lennoxtown and Auchinairn) in 2022 (further to COVID-19 safety measures)
Monitoring Progress, May 22
The Council and ED CAB explored clients from lowest 25% SIMD postcode areas of Place / Locality planning. Of the total 8,322 clients of CAB in 2021-22, 19% were from these postcodes. 55% of total client issues were benefits and debt related.
Outreach has now recommenced in most Place / locality areas.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to provide outreach services in Place / locality areas for low income clients, as per needs.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Continue to promote and increase numbers to the East Dunbartonshire Healthier Wealthier Children programme (financial health check and advice to families). In 2020-21, 70 referrals were made and actioned with a financial gain of £326,096 achieved.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Council and ED HSCP worked closely with the local CAB to ensure appropriate referrals. ED HSCP made 78 referrals to the Income Maximisation programme with gain of £304,576 for clients.
Total financial gain from the money advice programmes delivered by East Dunbartonshire CAB was £3,014,026 in 2021-22.
ED CAB met increased demand, supporting a total of 8,322 clients in 2021-22 including 605 from priority family types:
- Single parent families, 296.
- Families which include a disabled adult or child, 145.
- Families with 3+ children, 49.
- Minority ethnic families, 57.
- Families with a child under one year one years old, 41.
- Families where the mother is under 25 years of age, 17.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Council and ED HSCP continue to work closely with the local CAB and ensure appropriate referrals and promotion (Council and Primary Health Care are the largest referrers to CAB – next to self-referral which was 54% in 2021).
Continue to meet demand via CAB income maximisation programmes – including from priority datazones and family types.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Continue to promote and increase numbers to the Breastfeeding Partnership Project (engages with women following transition to health visitig service). In year 2 of the programme, 161 referrals were received.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Between April 21 and March 22 there were 153 referrals by Health Visitor's for breastfeeding support by the HSCP Breastfeeding Partnership.
Referrals were made to organisations that support free toys and clothes for children alongside household furniture and goods. 68 families received support via high street vouchers.
95 vulnerable individuals received a Christmas day meal delivery.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to deliver Breastfeeding Partnership Project – aim for increased referrals.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Family Nurse Partnership support to continue for eligible young mothers (under 19 years)
Monitoring Progress, May 22
42 young parents being supported through pregnancy and first two years of child’s life.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to deliver Family Nurse Partnership for young mothers (under 19 years of age).
Planned actions for 2021-22
Monitor and evaluate delivery of online forms for Free Schools Meals, School Clothing Grant and Education Maintenance Allowance. Explore automation of these benefits.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Significant improvements in the application process for FSM and SCG have been made during the pandemic, through the development of one online form for both forms, alongside online verification to simplify the application process.
Free School Meals provided to P1-P5 pupils across ED schools in line with SG commitment.
Planned actions for 2022-23
East Dunbartonshire Council was allocated additional monies from the Scottish Government. Local Authority COVID-19 Economic Recovery Fund, and has decided to increase School Clothing Grants to £240 per eligible primary school child and £300 per eligible secondary school child. This increase is aimed at helping families cope with the current cost of living increases and will be applicable only for academic year 2022/23.
Free School/Early Years Meals provided in line with SG commitments (SG aim to further expand Free School Meal provision to all children in primary schools).
Planned actions for 2021-22
The Child Disability Payment to be delivered across Scotland late 2021, with this replacing Disability Living Allowance. The Council and partners to ensure information provided to local clients.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
The Council shared all Social Security Scotland benefits social media posts through its own channels to ensure reach to all East Dunbartonshire communities.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to monitor upcoming changes to benefits and supports for vulnerable families, and incorporate into workstreams / local child poverty communications plan.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Provide advice on how to minimise costs for energy and food e.g. Home Energy Scotland and new Winter Hardship Support Fund / other payments to be distributed / promoted via Council and East Dunbartonshire CAB.
Advice services are linked to the Foodbank, in order to alleviate need for emergency food provision longer term. East Dunbartonshire Foodbank distributed 7,000 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
All hardship funds were paid to those in receipt of Free School/Early Years Meal and School Clothing Grant in line with Scottish Government timescales. Details were published on the Council website and shared on Council social media channels.
Information on foodbanks and how to access them was included in the COVID-19 community support web pages along with signposting for other supports.
East Dunbartonshire HSCP Children and Families Team made 295 referrals to East Dunbartonshire Foodbank 2021-22.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to ensure all Scottish Welfare and hardship funds are delivered within timescales, including new programmes of funding e.g. Scottish Government is doubling investment for the home energy Scotland loans and grants to £42 million in 2022-23.
Advice and support on Income Maximisation continues to be available from ED CAB. EDC has a service level agreement with CAB to fund core money advice services.
Continue to work to alleviate the need for emergency food provision, longer term. This includes ensuring advice services are linked to the foodbank.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Reduce the cost of the school day
The Cost of the School Day (COSD) survey (November 2021) identified a number of plans across schools including: no requirement to contribute to fund-raising events; supplies of stationery items available as required; provision of school uniform through the promotion of uniform recycling; school trips either subsidised or fully met by school funds; and, pupils targeted for after school activities/tuition.
Awareness raising of CAB in schools to take place. CAB working in schools to support Income Maximisation with families. Plan is for this to be universal with CAB becoming part of induction/transitions.
Snack and Play model of Hub provision was enhanced, with additional funding from Scottish Government. Project staffing increased to ensure a higher adult to child ratio.
Explore ways in which the ASN Playscheme offer can be extended to offer increased days of attendance while ensuring that children’s additional support needs are fully met.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
An evaluation of school supports in place to mitigate poverty was undertaken in June 2022. It demonstrated a continued focus on improvement aligned to COSD guidance and the use of quality assurance systems to ensure attainment and achievement for all. A few examples of the range of good practice in individual schools include:
- Using eco/sustainability approach to uniform swap shop, shoes, clothes, preventing food waste, etc. This removes stigma in accessing supports.
- Cashless catering has also helped
- Removal of cost barriers to curricular activities, clubs, trips, etc.
All schools were offered support from the CAB Money Talk Team at the start of 2022. Attendance was low so the Money Talk Team slides in the 4 key areas (money, housing, utilities and benefits) were circulated to all schools for signposting to parents.
Snack and Play availability was promoted as appropriate through schools and in target areas.
This year’s offer was further enhanced to include the October break.
The Snack and Play service was delivered over Easter in 6 schools from 4th to 14th April.
Each of the Snack and Play Hub Schools had a link Hub Manager(s) supported by a Quality Improvement Officer.
Merkland Playscheme also operated to support children with mild to moderate additional support needs.
- 185 children were offered a place at snack and play for Easter 22;
- Transport provided for children attending the Hubs.
Positive feedback was received on the activities the children enjoyed most during Snack and Play with the most popular including – socialising, making new friends, football, team games, playing outdoors, baking, crafts, painting and creative activities.
66 children were offered a place and all were offered transport. 20 parents completed the online evaluations. They rated the service very highly at 4.5 out of 5 stars. Very positive feedback was received regarding the activities the children enjoyed most during the Easter Playscheme including the baking, arts and crafts, playing on bikes and scooters, playing games, meeting new people, outdoor play and playing sports.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Education team at the Centre will ensure professional learning for school staff on Cost of the School Day.
CAB support to be offered to all schools – undertaking further promotion to ensure CAB can contribute to school induction sessions with a universal offer of support/awareness raising. Bespoke programmes of support will to also be offered for individual families, in consultation and collaboration with school staff and families.
Closing the poverty related attainment gap remains a focus for school visits by the quality assurance teams in Primary / Secondary and Additional Support Needs’ schools.
Schools will continue to review and develop processes for identifying families in need. Specific examples already identified by individual schools for the new session include:
- Development of a COSD working group
- Exploring possibility of breakfast club as a universal offer
- Commitment of Senior Leadership Team to work closely with Family Learning Assistants, in developing a school action plan focus on mitigating child poverty
- Family Learning sessions to run with a focus on digital literacy and managing money
- Planned family learning sessions with a focus on entitlements. Whilst led by the school, this will be delivered in the community to ensure inclusion of families who tend not to engage in school events
Existing Snack and Play provision to continue to be offered throughout all school holidays (excluding Christmas break). The offer will continue to be evaluated in order to identify areas for improvement.
The six priority family types are now targeted for involvement in Snack and Play.
Plans are in place to extend provision throughout seven weeks of summer, with children being offered up to 15 days placement. In addition, the offer now includes a wider range of activity offers from external providers (including e.g. Independence and Operation Play Outdoors) to complement existing programmes on offer from Education and EDLC staff.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Increase childcare provision and reduce cost of the nursery day. By June 2021, two of the new build Early Years Centres open to children and families. In August, the third Early Years Centre opens.
From August 2021 all children aged 3-5 years were offered 1,140 funded hours, including a funded lunch in all Council and funded provider centres.
All eligible two year olds continue to be offered 1,140 hours with a funded lunch. All Local Authority centres and funded providers have had the opportunity to apply for the Scottish Government Healthy Snack and Milk Scheme funding for all funded children.
Breakfast clubs operate within areas of Place / Locality schools ensuring the best start for children as well as supporting families back into training and employment.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
All three new Early Years Centres opened for the academic year 2021/22 and 1140 hours were delivered by the Council in line with revised SG commitment.
1,140 hours for two year olds focusses on identified Place areas, targeting communities with greatest need and identified through the national index of multiple deprivation (SIMD).
National messaging for Healthy Snack & Milk scheme was promoted across East Dunbartonshire social media channels.
Many Out of School Care (OSC) Providers operate from school premises. Grants are available for such OSC providers to apply for funding for additional staffing to support children who have identified mild to moderate additional support needs.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Best Start, Bright Futures, outlines Scottish Government commitment to develop further funded offers of early learning and childcare for children aged one and two, starting with low-income households within this Parliament, and to build a system of school age childcare, offering care before and after school, and during the holidays by 2027.
Council and partners continue with provision re Healthy Snack and Milk scheme, breakfast clubs and other Childcare and Out of School Care (OSC) provision.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Social Work Christmas project coordinates emergency parcels for vulnerable children, additional support through food vouchers, money for utilities, food hampers and vouchers at Christmas.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Social work continue to support our most vulnerable families through providing additional financial support in the form of vouchers, assistance with food parcels, and purchasing of basic essential items.
Planned actions for 2022-23
SG has outlined a Whole Family Wellbeing Fund over the next five years, £50 million in 2022-23 to “help transform services / ensure that all families can access preventative, holistic support which is wrapped around their needs, and provided when they need it and for as long as they need it”
SG Investing £36 million over two years through Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Social work continue to support our most vulnerable families through providing additional financial support in the form of vouchers, assistance with food parcels, and purchasing of basic essential items.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Coordinated support to young carers e.g. Young Scot delivers a dedicated platform and package of discounts and treats for young carers.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Throughcare and Aftercare support provided for care experienced young people.
Continued support to our Young Carers through support group. This is coordinated by Carers Link locally and includes Young Scot as well as identifying the individual needs of our Young Carers.
Planned actions for 2022-23
East Dunbartonshire Throughcare and Aftercare services continue to support young people financially and practically e.g. to transition into training and employment.
Continue to promote funds for young carers alongside other holistic supports.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Winter Planning fund is £67,000 for East Dunbartonshire children who are ‘looked after’ at home - £250 per child for vulnerable families impacted negatively by COVID-19.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Winter Planning Fund provided our children with their identified "best experience", running for the duration of 2021. It is anticipated there may be a similar opportunity in 2022.
Planned actions for 2022-23
The winter fund was non-recurring. However there is a Summer Fund 2022 utilising the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund Direct Payments - £125 per child to tackle poverty and ensure children are experiencing positive outcomes
Planned actions for 2021-22
Ensure adequate advice and support re maintaining tenancies
The Canal project (for households aged 16-25) continues to meet the needs of young people facing homelessness (run by Action for Children). The project offers accommodation / range of support to help young people facing homelessness, gaining life skills to help sustain tenancies (cooking, cleaning, paying bills).
Monitoring Progress, May 22
House Project: trauma informed, relationship based approach, to supporting and working with care experienced young people to prepare them for independence with the ultimate aim that they will move into their own tenancy. First cohort of ten young people in February 2021.
The Canal Project continued to provide support to homeless households including throughcare support to e.g. unaccompanied asylum seekers.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Continue to provide supports around maintaining tenancies e.g. The House project, Canal project and Project 101.
During 2022/23, Project 101 will focus upon healthy eating, fitness, cooking lessons, mediation, suicide prevention and positive mental health.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Project 101 is a local youth homelessness service for those aged 14-25 that supports around 200 young people each year – due to COVID-19 support was maintained by video link or phone including cooking lessons, completing benefit applications, signposting to other services etc. There is a plan for Christmas advent engagement via social media with young people.
EDC Homelessness Team has a rent arrears fund of £120,000 for anyone fallen into arrears due to COVID-19-19 Housing also has a hardship fund for tenants and other schemes that can help families in poverty to maintain their tenancy.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
During 2021/22 Project 101 received 183 new referrals for support; 48 new tenants, 83 homelessness applicants and 51 current tenants. A majority of households received support regarding welfare benefits and completing application forms. The Christmas and Easter events were well received.
90 Households were supported by the fund. A majority of households applying for the grant were single person households; 63 (70%) of the 90 households. Of the 90, 23 households had children. Of the 23 households with children; 18 were lone parent households and 5 were couples with children. Across all households there were 43 children in total Of the 23 households; 18 had more than 1 child. There is referral/sign posting to other support providers such as CAB, Job Centre Plus, utility companies. Health and Social Care Partnership, GP’s, Education etc.
Planned actions for 2022-23
EDC has agreed an additional fund for Homeless Tenants of £100,000 for 2022/23.
EDC to undertake a review of unaffordable rental costs for homeless tenants in temporary accommodation.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Ongoing impact of Welfare Reform continues to place pressure on the social housing sector in relation to increased rent arrears and lost income. CAB will continue to provide support around evictions for rent arrears for both private let and social rented clients.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
The Council has a hardship fund available to all households who fall into arrears through no fault of their own and who have exhausted all other benefit entitlement. Consideration for a one off application can be made to assist with tenancy sustainment.
Housing Officers provide advice and support to tenants on meeting their rent liability. Referrals made to CAB or Right There (housing support service) where there is a greater and ensuring income is maximised.
Section 11 referrals from lenders/landlords (all sectors) continued to be monitored by Homelessness Team and advice/assistance given as required. (Section 11's are sent where the household is at risk of homelessness due to mortgage defaults and or rent arrears). support requirement and/or to assist with appealing benefit decisions
Planned actions for 2022-23
For 2022/23 an additional £100,000 has been awarded to the Homelessness Team to assist households living in temporary accommodation.
The Homelessness Team have a service level agreement in place and fund a Housing Rights Officer in CAB. Using Rapid Rehousing money from the Scottish Government the Homelessness Team will continue to fund a Welfare Rights Officer during 2022/23.
The Council's landlord registration officer will continue to monitor and check notices served by landlords.
Utilising a Rent Affordability Tool as part of the annual rent setting consultation process for 2023/24.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Increase affordable housing supply.
East Dunbartonshire Local Housing Strategy outlines delivery and plans for new housing including a proportion for social rent.
Continue to improve energy efficiency via e.g. local housing strategy (the Council has invested £2.5m in improving the energy efficiency of around 1,750 properties since 2015).
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Local Housing Strategy on target - further updates to be provided as when/appropriate.
Planned actions for 2022-23
Annual updates on the Local Housing Strategy, including aspects that relate to child poverty (e.g. affordable and warm homes) published on EDC website.
Planned actions for 2021-22
Provision of free period products throughout the area in all schools and in community locations.
Monitoring Progress, May 22
Free period products have been available in schools since 2018 and in community centres, community hubs and halls throughout the area since 2019. The Council locations are included in the national free period products app which was launched in early 2022. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 was enacted in November 2020 by the Scottish Government, and received Royal assent on 12 January 2021.
Planned actions for 2022-23
A survey and wider community engagement scheduled for 2022/23 to understand community preferences in relation to free period product availability and the potential extension of range of products available and locations in which they will be available.
https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/consultation-community-access-free-period-products