Shetland’s Local Annual Child Poverty Action Report 2022/23 Now Published

The report, produced by Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland looks at what is known about child poverty in Shetland; and highlights what has been done within the year to support children, young people and their families who live with poverty in the community. The report provides an update on the actions outlined in the last report, and sets out the multi-agency approach for actions from 2023 and onwards. 

Initially, data on child poverty in Shetland is looked at. In 2021/22 which is the most recent data available, 11.6% of children in Shetland were living in poverty. While this is a reduction on the previous year, this is higher than pre pandemic levels and does not take into account the higher cost of living in remote and rural Scotland. Data, along with lived experience and feedback from the community has been used to inform the plan. 

The report then focusses on the activity and impacts from 2022/23 from partners and communities. These are set out under five headings as a series of updates and case studies. The first of these looks at the rollout of Anchor for Families in Schools. Then, mirroring Best Start Bright Futures, the report looks at activity which contributes to: providing the opportunities and integrated support parents need to enter, sustain and progress in work; maximising the support available for families to live dignified lives and meet their basic needs; and supporting the next generation to thrive. For example, case studies include updates on local childcare provision, community pop-ins, and free breakfasts in schools. 

The action plan for 2022/23 sets out collaborative strategic actions to mitigate the impacts of poverty, some of which are replicated in the Shetland Children’s Partnership Plan. The planning and delivery of actions to address structural changed required to reduce child poverty are set out in the Delivery Plan for Shetland’s Partnership Plan 2023-2027. The alignment of plans with services working collaboratively will ensure that reducing child poverty in Shetland is a key collective theme for partners. 

Key actions include:

• Supporting Anchor for Families team to walk alongside families who are feeling under pressure, to build their strengths and capacity to achieve the goals they want to achieve, develop a more positive pathway and halt further deterioration in their situation.
• Develop an innovative test of change project to find financially vulnerable households, supporting them holistically, to improve their finances and employment, as a collaboration between Anchor for Families, Employability Pathway and Third Sector.
• Increase the capacity of frontline staff to recognise signs of poverty and ensure they are on an income maximisation pathway. This capacity will be built by, for example, our Anchor for Families Team, implementation of GIRFEC (Get it Right for Every Child), Money Worries Training and Cost of the School Day. 
• Support the implementation of Shetland’s response to the Cost of Living Crisis Plan, 2023/24, including an easy to use website, and dedicated phone line.
• Support Shetland’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategy to close the digital poverty gap.
• Continue to support key Third Sector organisations: SICAB, Shetland Food Bank and Food for the Way.
• Use opportunities such as Anchor for Families, Employability Services and Cost of Living supports to enable children and their families to be involved in shaping local policies and measures to reduce the social and economic impact of poverty.

You can read the report on our website via the link above, or on Shetland Islands Council’s website.