The staff of Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow knew that many of their families were likely to be missing out on vital financial support and were delighted to take part in a programme placing Financial Inclusion Support Officers (FISO) directly in Glasgow schools.
Auchenharvie Academy in North Ayrshire runs a six week Parents in Partnership (PIP) programme where parents and carers of S1 pupils come ‘back to school’, following a first-year timetable to experience a school day and build relationships with peers and teachers.
The Giffnock Primary Parent Equalities Group, East Renfrewshire has been consulting with the school community on cost barriers and recently set up a pre-loved uniform shop for its families.
Families with children face greater costs, and their income can be affected by low pay, lack of paid work, rising living costs and inadequate social security benefits.
Poverty can mean children going without basics, and it can also mean missing out on everyday fun and activities that other kids take for granted. Poverty harms children's health, social and emotional wellbeing, and education. It harms their childhoods and their futures.
Child poverty is not inevitable. Making sure every child gets a good start in life is the right thing to do and the smartest investment we can make as a country.