As a way of helping to boost family incomes and reduce the impact of child poverty, school communities are increasingly offering referral pathways to welfare and money advice for families. This briefing offers examples of existing pathways and makes recommendations about how we can make sure more families are able to access help in this way.
Parents say they feel frustrated and unseen when their schools aren’t mindful of financial pressures. A proactive approach tells parents that their school understands financial challenges and that conversations about costs and money are possible and welcomed.
It doesn’t matter how affluent a school community appears, families can be struggling financially and could benefit from entitlements and help at school. To make sure families don't miss out, good communication is key.
Understanding the challenges facing families on low incomes supports greater empathy and engagement. Promoting awareness and understanding of the challenges facing families on low incomes to everyone in your school community will help boost that knowledge.
These activities can help your group to start conversations, and consider what impact poverty and costs can have on school life. This is a great place to get started raising awareness and understanding.
5,394 children and young people around Scotland took part in the Cost of the School Day Big Question, sharing their thoughts on school trips, food, what helps them feel ready to learn and their ideas about what should change. Their insights have been put together in this report and film.
These activities can help your group to start conversations, consider what impact poverty and costs can have on school life and think about what action you're going to take. Asking everyone about costs at your school is a great thing to do to alongside raising awareness.
Poverty stops children and young people from achieving their potential at school. We need to invest in social security to solve this, but schools also have a vital role to play.
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.
