Introduction and user guide
This resource aims to provide a single point of reference to assist those who are involved in tackling child poverty in local areas in Scotland.
Children in Scotland deserve the best possible start in life and we do not want to see any child being born into or condemned to live a life of poverty. It is unacceptable that 20% of our children still live in relative poverty.
The UK Child Poverty Act 2010 has been extended to Scotland and the Scottish Government have committed to doing all they can to eradicate child poverty by 2020. However, this cannot be achieved by working alone. Local strategy and action will be critical to complement the work of national government and agencies.
The Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland set out Scotland’s wide-ranging approach to tackling child poverty. This builds on the strategic direction set out in Achieving Our Potential, and other key policies relating to child poverty, especially Getting it Right for Every Child, the Early Years Framework, Workforce Plus and Equally Well.
The two key aims of this strategy are to:
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User Guide
Leaders and elected members
Who are you?
Many people are responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for tackling child poverty in local areas. You may be a:
What do you need to know?
Although you need to have a broad understanding of all of the issues that are addressed in this guide, you may have a particular responsibility and interest in the following areas:
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Throughout this resource you are encouraged to think of Child Poverty as a 'everyone's business' and work collaboratively with all involved.
User Guide
Managers
Who are you?
You are responsible for making key operational decisions to put into practice the strategic plans and visions to tackle child poverty in your area. You may be:
What do you need to know?
You have a challenging and critical role in tackling child poverty locally, turning strategic thinking into operational priorities and practice. Although you need to have a broad understanding of all of the issues that are addressed in this resource, you may have a particular responsibility and interest in the following areas
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Throughout this resource you are encouraged to think of Child Poverty as a 'everyone's business' and work collaboratively with all involved.
User guide
Practitioners
Who are you?
You work directly with children and families living in poverty in your area. You may be a:
What do you need to know?
Effective practice means doing the right things, in the right way. You have a key role to play in ensuring that activity to tackle child poverty best meets the needs of the children you work with. You may have a particular responsibility and interest in the following areas:
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Throughout this resource you are encouraged to think of Child Poverty as a 'everyone's business' and work collaboratively with all involved.
User guide
Researchers and Analysts
Who are you?
You provide evidence, data analysis and interpretation to assist others to better understand child poverty in your area. You may be a:
- Researcher
- Analyst
- Information Officer
- Journalist / Press Officer
-
Academic
What do you need to know?
The support function you provide shapes the initial priorities and informs understanding of progress. Although you will need a broad understanding of the wider context within which local child poverty exists, you will have a particular responsibility and interest in the following areas:
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Throughout this resource you are encouraged to think of Child Poverty as a 'everyone's business' and work collaboratively with all involved.