Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy 2020 - 2023
North Lanarkshire Council · 5 May 2023
Back to Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee — 5 May 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/JC Date 05/05/23 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy 2020 - 2023 From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) E-mail gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 332001 Executive Summary In line with the Plan for North Lanarkshire programme of Work, the purpose of this report is to cover the following specific aspects of the Programme of Work: • Report on the delivery and conclusion of the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2020-2023 and improved outcomes achieved; and • To provide an update on the development of the new Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023-2026 and the Local Child Poverty Action Report for 2022-2023. Recommendations It is recommended that the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee: (1) Note the delivery and outcomes achieved from the Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy – Action Plan as outlined in Appendix 1 of this report. (2) Note that the report has also been referred to the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board for consideration. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements
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1. Background 1.1 The ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling Poverty Strategy 2020-2023 and its associated Action Plan was approved at the Policy and Strategy Committee Meeting on 11th June 2020. This merged four of the original Plan for North Lanarkshire programme of work priorities for action in order to ensure a better integrated approach to sustain an approach that places supporting positive, fairer outcomes for people at the heart of the Plan for North Lanarkshire. 1.2 The Tackling Poverty Strategy aligns and coordinates resources across the Council and partners to ensure effective delivery so that together we can achieve our shared ambition. In addition, to reflect the whole systems approach to inclusive growth, as set out in the Plan for North Lanarkshire, the strategy encompasses the statutory requirement to prepare and publish an annual Local Child Poverty Action Report for North Lanarkshire. 1.3 “Towards A Fairer North Lanarkshire” was North Lanarkshire’s first tackling poverty strategy, its foundations lay in the Fairness Commission recommendations together, with the ambition to embed tackling poverty actions across all our services to lead our communities towards a fairer North Lanarkshire 1.4 To deliver this shared ambition of inclusive growth and prosperity, the strategy focussed on the Plan for North Lanarkshire, in particular, its five complementary priorities (below), each of which are supported by a strategic policy framework which maps our strategic policies to achieve our shared ambition: • Improve economic opportunities and outcomes. • Support all children and young people to realise their full potential. • Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities. • Enhance participation, capacity, and empowerment across our communities. • Improve North Lanarkshire’s resource base. 1.5 The impact and the recovery of Covid – 19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis (National Insurance increase, price increases on energy, soaring fuel and food increases, real term cuts in wages, benefits and pensions and the highest inflation in 40 years) and the war in Ukraine, continues to acutely affect inequality and poverty in North Lanarkshire, impacting the most vulnerable in North Lanarkshire’s communities. 1.6 In 2021, the Tackling Poverty Officer Action Group and the Member/Officer Task and Finish Group reviewed and revised the Tackling Poverty Action Plan in four priority areas (employment, advice and information, including food poverty and fuel poverty, community engagement and emerging issues) impacted by the pandemic and the EU Exit and the outcomes of these reviews were reported to the Policy and Strategy Committee on 30th September 2021. 1.7 In 2021/22, The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group implemented a RAG Action Plan for each poverty drivers and management of the programme: • Income from Employment, • Income from Social Security Benefits, • Reduce the Cost of Living and • Programme Management Actions.
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1.8 Using this approach, the Tackling Poverty Officer Action Group identified tasks that were completed (or ongoing), tasks that are amber or red which required to be taken forward during 2022/23. 1.9 On 29th September 2022, the Policy and Strategy Committee approved the updated Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy (Action Plan) and the report was also submitted to the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee on 4th November 2022, for note and consideration. 1.10 A major foundation of our work to tackle poverty in North Lanarkshire remains a strong commitment to income maximisation. Since 2011, the Tackling Poverty Team, Social Work Service and Housing Solutions have carried out 246,500 benefit checks, generating £347.6 million in additional benefit income for the most vulnerable residents of North Lanarkshire. 2. Report 2.1 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy 2020-2023 2.1.1 It is important to note that the Tackling Poverty Strategy was written and published prior to the pandemic, and as a result of this some actions were accelerated, some had to be revised, whilst others will need to be revisited. 2.2 The Drivers of Poverty 2.2.1 The Tackling Poverty Strategy outlined the three drivers to tackle poverty. • Increase income via employment. • Reduce the cost of living. • Increase income via social security benefits. 2.2.2 The Action Plan identified tasks under each of the drivers, together with administrative tasks required to support the Strategy. 2.2.3 As noted above a RAGG system has been applied to the Action Plan, the details of which are: • Red – Action remains outstanding. • Amber – work has started on this action but requires further work to complete. • Green – action is completed and remains on-going. • Grey – action has been completed and requires no further action. 2.2.4 During the three-year period the council and its partners were able to meet a number of actions, however, the impact of Covid cannot be ignored in achieving the goals we set out at the beginning of 2020. The Council and its partners had to react quickly to the pandemic and the impact this had on our communities and citizens, this means that some actions in the Strategy had to be re-thought with some being delivered quicker than previously expected and others having to be reconsidered. An analysis of progress against each of the key drivers is outlined in sections 2.3 to 2.6 below. 2.3 Increase Income Via Employment – Achievements and Challenges 2.3.1 North Lanarkshire Council has had a long-held commitment to addressing the impact of unemployment on its communities and a track record of successfully supporting its
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residents into sustained employment. Helping local people move towards and then successfully progress in a job has been central to the Council’s aspirations for North Lanarkshire. 2.3.2 Services that get this right, impact upon and advance many of the changes sought after in our communities, and also the commitment to help existing and new businesses thrive in North Lanarkshire. The Council’s employability programmes have utilised Council investment and significant sources of external funding over a number of years to fund its activities, many of which have been delivered in partnerships with local employers and/or employability stakeholders. 2.3.3 Around 61,000 North Lanarkshire residents accessed the UK Government’s ‘furlough’ scheme at some point between March 2020 and September 2021. Almost 40% of eligible employees accessing the scheme. 2.3.4 Despite these challenges there have been a number of achievements under the Income from Employment Action Plan, the full details of which are available at Appendix One – The Action Plan. The Action Plan identifies that the Councils’ employability services have proven to be extremely successful in achieving the goals set out in 2020 despite the pandemic. 2.3.5 In addition a key achievement supported by investment, business support and employability initiatives are that for the first time ever the gross weekly pay for local residents is now higher than the national average – an increase of 10%. Further notable achievements within the Strategy are that from our baseline of 5 employers achieving accreditation for paying the living wage, we now having 123 employers accredited. 2.3.6 There remain however, challenges that we will hope to address in the 2023 strategy, and through the council’s wider programme of work. One such challenge is Transport, however, we have a ten-year Active Travel Strategy which puts in place, for the first time, a cohesive and holistic framework to prioritise and accelerate active travel interventions across North Lanarkshire. 2.4 Increase Income Via Social Security Benefits - Achievements and Challenges 2.4.1 The first action under the “increase income via social security benefits” within the Action Plan was to “Establish NLC First Point of Contact Team for Advice & Information Services”, where all referrals for welfare rights and money advice would come through one focal point with one number and one email and a call out service would be provided. 2.4.2 The foundations for this had been laid with a small team, however, the Tackling Poverty Team, like many teams had to adapt to a new way of working during Covid 19, initially all staff were pointed to First Point of Contact this had the joint action of ensuring that those who were contacting in respect of food were offered assistance to ensure their income was fully maximised, a cash first approach was provided where appropriate, together with any debt or money advice issues people had. 2.4.3 Covid impacted on service delivery and some of the actions detailed within the Plan, this was due to the way services had to be delivered, therefore for example the training programme for Health Staff was delayed with many health staff being redirected to other services to ensure the health service was able to meet the demands put upon them. This action will feature in the 2023 -26 Action Plan together with some new initiatives that are
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now taking place in health settings. This includes the investment for the Cost-of-Living Helpline demonstrating the recognition of the links between poverty and health inequalities. 2.4.4 There have been considerable achievements in the action plan under Income from Social Security in our action plan, the most notable being generating additional income of nearly £100 million for our residents within the three years of this strategy. 2.4.5 Foodbanks across the country have recently reported a decrease in demand from families, which may be attributed to the Scottish Child Payment (a payment of £25 per week per child) introduced in November 2022. In North Lanarkshire one of our challenges moving forward will be to work with the foodbanks to ensure that we are recording referrals accurately to allow us to track this pattern, if this is repeated in North Lanarkshire our challenge will be how we support single people and couples with no children. 2.5 Reduce the Cost of Living – Achievements and Challenges 2.5.1 Reducing the cost of living became a central point during the lifetime of the Strategy due to the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent “cost of living crisis”. The Council and its partners reacted speedily to events that were happening and used funding to put cash in people’s pocket to assist during this time. 2.5.2 There have been many achievements against this driver such as the number of people taking up the school clothing grant increasing by 13% from the start of the Strategy in 2020 to its conclusion in 2023. 2.5.3 The council are committed to delivering 5000 affordable new homes by 2035, reducing the cost of living by increasing the supply of affordable, energy efficient homes, to date 1566 have been built. 2.5.4 The action of Fuel Poverty has had to adapt during the lifetime of the Strategy, following Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, fuel prices have increased dramatically and schemes such as those mentioned in the Strategy became obsolete. The Council concentrated on ensuring people had a cash first approach to fuel poverty, with targeted schemes such as “pensioner fuel poverty payment” and payments to people who would miss out on Government assistance. Approaches to tackling fuel poverty will remain a feature of the 2023 -26 Strategy and Action Plan. 2.5.5 The Financial Education programme Money Advice and Consumer Advice (MACA) which is designed to provide primary pupils on money and how to use money, was paused due to Covid but has recently been re-established and refreshed with schools via the Future Friday programme. Due to a lack of funding the Tackling Poverty Team have not been able to run the MACA Plus programme which was aimed at school leavers and parents/carers to prepare individuals and their families when leaving school. 2.5.6 Funeral poverty has been difficult to work on, with reliance upon the private sector to address the issues, it is expected that the work with Funeral Directors is one of the areas that we will not proceed in the 2023-26 strategy, and instead ensure that people have access to DWP funeral expenses payments where relevant. 2.5.7 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group continues to work to support families recognising that the biggest emerging issues as we enter the new Strategy is the end of the financial measures and supports for Covid-19, the cost of living crisis, soaring energy and fuel prices, highest inflation in over 40 years (sitting currently at 10.4%), real term cuts in wages, benefits and pensions and the National Insurance increase for workers. These
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have the potential to result in major issues for our community and council services with respect to increased issues with rent/council tax arrears, debt, food poverty, fuel poverty, homelessness all having a huge impact on families, our communities and impact the on capacity of Services. 2.5.8 The challenges faced in developing the MACA/MACA Plus programme in our schools, this was in the main due to Covid, with schools facing considerable challenges during this time, in addition there were issues in relation to funding this programme. Following discussions with young people in early 2023, when asked what they would like the Council to do to help them during the cost-of-living crisis, overwhelmingly the young people identified “financial education”, therefore the development and delivery of this programme is a priority for the Tackling Poverty Team together with identifying and securing finding for this project. 2.6 Support Tasks– Achievements and Challenges 2.6.1 The Tackling Poverty Strategy Support Tasks outline the infrastructure required to support each of the drivers and ensure we are working towards a fairer North Lanarkshire. Within the Support Tasks Action Plan there has again been achievements and challenges. 2.6.2 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group together with the Tackling Poverty Team have both been established, in addition to this within the lifetime of the Strategy the Tackling Poverty Board and Tackling Poverty and Wellbeing Committee have also been created and following the Internal Audit a new Data Sub-group has also been created to take forward the recommendations of the Internal Audit. 2.6.3 The creation of the Tackling Poverty Team with a new structure aligning operational teams to services has negated the need for Memorandum’s of Understanding with internal services and has provided more support and stronger links to services ensuring a whole council approach. 2.6.4 The Establishment of an Involvement Group to help shape the strategy and services was hindered by the pandemic, it is vitally important that any strategy is shaped by the communities and residents to whom we serve. A decision has been made to look to our 9 Community Boards to assist in this area as all the Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIP) have tackling poverty as a priority. Moving forward to the 2023 -26 strategy the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group will ensure that voices across all our community are reflected in our Action Plan. 2.6.5 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group is well established with representatives from across council services, partners in health and the third sector. This together with the establishment of the Tackling Poverty Team ensures the scaffolding is in place to support the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.6.6 Poverty proofing of decisions across the council is an area where there has been progress, augmented by the Fairer Scotland Duty and the Plan for North Lanarkshire. This is an area that the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group will pursue to ensure poverty proofing is embedded in the decision of the council as action within the 2023-26 Strategy. The new approach to the whole family supports locally, when families need it, in a way that is consistent with the principles of The Promise and the Tackling Poverty Strategy, poverty proofing will become integral to this, this will be an excellent step forward in this action.
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2.7 Development of the 2023-2026 Tackling Poverty Strategy 2.7.1 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group will now focus on the 2023-26 Strategy. The Strategy will again concentrate on the work the council and its partners are doing in the three drivers and introduce a fourth driver “Holistic Supports”. 2.7.2 Holistic supports recognises that people and families do not exist in policy siloes and are often not aware of the kinds of support that are available given the multiple channels through which this support can be delivered. The driver, holistic supports recognise that family wellbeing is fundamental to creating the conditions for families to be able to navigate their way out of poverty. 2.7.3 The Strategy will build upon the achievements of the 2020 – 23 Strategy and develop those areas that were stalled during covid. The 2023 – 26 Strategy will also look to the new Programme of Work and the voices from our communities to help shape the services and supports being delivered across North Lanarkshire. 2.7.4 The Child Poverty National Partners agreed to pilot a new processing arrangement for year four Local Child Poverty Action Reports (LCPARs) in which national partners were allocated reports to process and provide feedback if requested. Public Health Scotland processed North Lanarkshire’s year 4 report and provided informal feedback in January 2023, where it was agreed that PHS would provide an informal write up of the feedback provided. Appendix 2. 2.7.5 Overall the Public Health Scotland Feedback was fairly positive stating that “North Lanarkshire’s Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR) is a well-written report structured around the three drivers of child poverty. The report clearly demonstrates that there is a lot of work underway in North Lanarkshire to address child poverty, recognising the impact of the pandemic and cost crisis on families. NHS Lanarkshire’s contribution is threaded throughout the report and appears to demonstrate good partnership working with a clear focus and commitment to child poverty”. The feedback provided was also consistent with what have already been identified locally as areas for improvement, some of which are already underway: • Use of data and intelligence • Lived experience. • Focus of priority families • Understanding progress and impact 2.7.6 The Tackling Poverty Strategy will build upon the positives and take into account the recommendations as detailed in the Public Health Scotland Feedback. (appendix 2) 2.7.7 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group will incorporate the new child poverty delivery plan Best Start/Bright Futures into the Local Child Poverty Action Report (Action Plan), as well as the Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy – Action Plan, aligning both Plans into the same lifespan from 2023 to 2026. Both the local authority and NHSL have agreed that the LCPAR should be an integral part of the overall strategy, with the ability to meet our statutory duty to report to Scottish Government on an annual basis, ensuring that we are providing a tackling poverty commitment to our full community. 2.7.8 To allow us to achieve this the action plan will detail which “strategy/plan” each action relates to, identifying those actions that are specifically aimed at the child poverty priority groups.
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2.8 Next Steps – Supporting Delivery and Future Priorities 2.8.1 North Lanarkshire Council Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy will be delivered in a way that is consistent with the Councils’ Programme for Work – Resilient People delivering the whole family support locally when families need it, ensuring that a “no wrong door” approach is adopted across all our services, meaning that no matter where someone presents there will be a referral gateway to the services that a person or family require to help them out of poverty. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The successful delivery and outcomes of Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy – Action Plan. 4. Supporting documentation 1) Updated Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2020-2023 - Appendix 1 2) LCPAR North Lanarkshire Audit – Public Health Scotland – Appendix 2 Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice)
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Strategy is delivered within the available resources of the Council and funding provided by the UK/SG to tackle financial insecurity, cost of living crisis and fuel poverty via the Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery Fund and other funds provided to the Council. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy responds appropriately to all partner’s responsibilities and duties under the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017, the Child Poverty Delivery Plan (Child Poverty Action Report), Closing the Attainment Gap, the Fairer Scotland Action Plan and The Plan for North Lanarkshire, so that all agencies are aware of their role in tackling poverty and inequalities.
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5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? A Tackling Poverty Communication’s Subgroup oversees the communications activities of the Tackling Poverty Strategy 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Tackling Poverty has been identified as a Corporate Risk, with the Head of Education & Families - Integrative Practice (CSWO) as the risk lead. Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy sets out a planned approach which seeks to eliminate poverty or make very significant reductions in the level of poverty resulting in benefit to the residents and including improvement in the overall level of health and wellbeing of communities.
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5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services.
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Appendix 1 - Income Via Employment Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS North Lanarkshire to increase the number of people employed and receiving the living wage Payment of the living wage by employers is amongst those interventions that can support people out of poverty There is an increase in the number of NL employers with real living wage accreditation Employability 5 employers have achieved accreditation 123 North Lanarkshire employers have achieved accreditation, with 7053 employees benefiting from the living wage Green Community Benefits To increase the number of tackling poverty interventions within community benefits To improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of our communities Procurement n/a Recent figures show the local economy continues to grow, reflecting a positive position in North Lanakrshire compared to a negative growth position locally, however, moving forward we must see more tackling poverty related interventions within community benefits Amber Parental Employment Support Fund Support families who are in or at risk of poverty to support/ access into work An increase in parents entering and progressing in employment Employability Support and Routes to Work n/a 22/23 (as of 2nd March) 40 parents have secured employment. Further 18 employed parents have progressed within employment. 104 parents have registered and are engaging with the Project. Green Real Living Wage North Lanarkshire to increase the weighting applied to “real living wage” providers in tendering applications in line with the City Deal. An increase in NL residents receiving the “real living wage”. Procurement 5% current weighting applied The current weighting of 5% is still applied. The current weighting of 5% is still applied, however, there has been some movement in terms of the Council’s Fair Work Charter. Amber Improved transport and access to services Improving accessibility to services across all of North Lan Equity of access for all our communities To Be Confirmed n/a Red Identify pathways within labour market growth sectors or areas of high replacement demand which will provide progression routes out of As part of the Workforce for the Future Strategy and associated plan, work progression pathways will be identified for key labour market growth sectors or those with high replacement demand. These will focus on progression routes out of low pay and strategies for engaging young people (in schools) and those economically active Progression pathways identified for key growth sectors with qualifications and progression routes agreed, published and funded. Communities / People and Organisational Development Average weekly wage in North Lanarkshire £548.90 The gross weekly pay for local residents is now higher than the national average for the first time ever - an increase of 10% (£63.90 per week) for Green
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low pay in North Lanarkshire. in the labour market (through Routes to Work) to consider increasing their qualification levels and job prospects to improve average weekly wage levels and alleviate “in work” poverty. North Lanarkshire residents from the previous year’s results. Income Via Employment Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Supported Enterprise Assist people who may be further from the labour market into employment. Key client groups; children leaving care; children with additional support needs; people with mental health issues; people with disabilities Increase opportunity of employment for those furthest from the labour market Enterprise Education & Families Employability Support 242 people in work 22/23 (at 31 Dec 2022) Supported employment currently supporting 210 people on the different stages of the 5 stage employment model; 129 people currently receiving various levels of in work support 41 people currently job finding Stats from Apr to Dec 2022 135 referrals received 33 people completed vocational profiles 71 people secured employment Green Prospects Programme The Prospects programme aims to help unemployed people further from the labour market of all ages from North Lanarkshire into work Assist people into employment Employability Support and Routes to Work 957 supported into employment 136 lone parents into employment The pipeline programme has supported 700 unemployed residents with 427 entering employment. The labour market currently has high numbers of vacancies but those not in work have a number of barriers to entering employment. Green No one Left Behind Targeted employability support for vulnerable young people who have mental health problems, the BAME community and over 50s. Assist people into employment / training / education Employability Services n/a Engaged with 101 people and supported 49 into employment. The focus is on 2 groups, the over 50s and those of any age who are long term unemployed. Green North Lanarkshire Youth Guarantee Scheme Deliver a range of employment focused activities eligible for funding under the Scottish Youth Guarantee guidelines to support 868 young Assist 16 - 24 year olds into employment / training or education Employability Services N/a 200 unemployed 16-24 year olds supported into employment from a range of target groups including those with additional support Green
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people aged 16 - 24 into employment, training or education needs, care experienced and those with barriers to entering employment. Income Via Employment Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS No One Left Behind (Phase 2) implement grant programme in 2022/23 to distribute £1.6 million to employment projects across North Lanarkshire which target support on groups who may be in poverty due to unemployment distribute funding to organisations to support young people, lone parents and people with health barriers Enterprise Education & Families Employability Support n/a £1.6 million allocated to 17 projects in North Lanarkshire which target support young people, lone parents and people with health barriers - full results will be known in March 2023. Amber
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Income Via Social Security Benefits Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Establish NLC First Point of Contact Team for Advice & Information Services All referrals for welfare rights and money advice will come through one focal point with one number & one email, with a call out service being delivered The financial inclusion team will ensure residents receive a more efficient service / reduce waiting times for appointments The Financial Inclusion Team (now known as The Tackling Poverty Team - october 2022) n/a The Financial Inclusion Team (now known as The Tackling Poverty Team - October 2022) Green Work with children and families who receive a social work service to ensure income maximisation is carried out Reduced the number of our children and their families living in poverty The financial Inclusion team will work with social work to ensure all families with social work involvement are offered a benefit check The Financial Inclusion Team (now known as The Tackling Poverty Team - october 2022) n/a new structure now in place - due to be reviewed and restructure in place in January 2023 - Green MacMillan Advice Service Maximise the income of cancer patients and their carers Provide income maximisation and debt advice The Financial Inclusion Team (now known as The Tackling Poverty Team - october 2022) 1008 referrals in 2018/19 Drop in referrals due to covid19 and the reduction in surgeries this is still impacting referrals which in 2022 sat at 686 Green Kinship Care Income Maximisation Embed income maximisation advice into social work practice the financial inclusion team will work with social work staff to ensure all families with social work involvement are offered a benefit check Education and Families Financial Inclusion Team (now known as TPT) CAB North Lanarkshire 254 kinship care checks carried out 379 kinship care benefit checks completed in 22/23 Green Food Poverty Referral Gateway Mitigate the need for foodbank use by ensuring access to advice services and claims to crisis grants a decrease in the use of foodbanks The Financial Inclusion Team (now known as The Tackling Poverty Team - october 2022) 22% Reduction in foodbanks There has been reports across Scotland of a reduction in families using foodbanks, work has to be done with North Lanarkshire foodbanks in relation to monitoring usage. Green Food Poverty Referral Gateway work with IFAN to create North Lanarkshire Cash First Leaflet leaflet produced to highlight all advice services across north lanarkshire The Tackling Poverty Team n/a leaflet produced and distributed in October 2022 Grey Food Poverty Referral Gateway TPOAG to consider Scottish Government Consultation Response respond to consultation - take part in any discussions re this The Food Poverty Group n/a Consultation completed Grey Food Poverty Referral Gateway Revisit map of emergency food providers across North Lanarkshire comprehensive list of food providers Tackling Poverty Team / LCFHP n/a Completed & Continual review Green
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Income Via Social Security Benefits Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Welfare Reform Group welfare reform group to ensure services, elected members etc are kept fully abreast of welfare reform changes and their impact on our communities chair and members to be identified - briefings to be produced the tackling poverty team and community planning partners n/a Ongoing Green Health Hub for Information and Advice health staff can refer to information and advice surgeries which they host within 3 health settings universal accessto information and advice services NHS Lanarkshire & The Financial Inclusion Team (now TPT) 454 referrals generating £1,013,096 in 2019/20 Service is no longer provided in the Health Hubs – other provisions now in place Grey Health Visitor and District Nurse Pilot Project embedding money issues into the assessment process in coatbridge and airdrie locality roll the programme out across all localities NHS Lanarkshire & The Financial Inclusion Team (now TPT) 186 referrals 226 referrals received in 2022/23. Amber Income Maximisation via benefit uptake north lanarkshire and external commissioned independent advice services increase income via social security benefits North Lanarkshire Advice Network and The Financial Inclusion Team (TPT) £34 million in additional income generated in 2020/21 Figures will not be available until Mid May 2023 Green Universal Credit Assistance Fund implement the approved £1million univeresal credit assistance fund fund council tenants' rents during the five week waiting period for universal credit Housing (Solutions) n/a fund established with £1.66million of funding used to support 4,425 tenants (at an average of £375 each) by July 2021. Separate COVID 19 rent relief fund established which by July 2021 had provided £420,532 support to 1143 tenants (average £367) Grey Universal credit drop in (by Cumbernauld Poverty Action) assist people who have difficulty assessing their accounts (lack of PC skills and access) to manage their UC account people are able to manage their universal credit claims, therefore, minimising the risk of sanctions and payment delays Cumbernauld Poverty Action Group n/a due to the pandemic the drop in has not been available. Cumbernauld Poverty Action – CPA no longer engage with NLAN Grey GP Community Link Worker Programme community link worker embedded within GP practices across North Lanarkshire making referrals to information and advice services embed link workers and increase support to patients NHS Lanarkshire & The Financial Inclusion Team (now TPT) and the CABx n/a 422 GP link worker referrals received in 22/23 Green Health Training Training sessions to be set up with health practitioners re money issues and referral pathways Briefing sessions to be created and delivered to all staff NHS Lanarkshire & The Financial Inclusion Team (now TPT) and the n/a Paused due to Covid 19 – being revised for the future Grey
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Reduce The Cost of Living Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Increase uptake of school clothing grants All those entitled access the school clothing grant. Children have access to suitable school and footwear Work toward automation of this service Revs and Bens Education 11,854 children in receipt of School Clothing Grants 13% increase in children receiving school clothing grants Green Provision of sanitary products within schools and other public buildings Provide women with access to sanitary products within education and other public buildings Universal access to sanitary products within education and public buildings Enterprise & Communities 16,956 products provided Provision continues all our communities Green Fuel Poverty Assist families who are experiencing fuel poverty via campaigns such as Big Switch and income maximisation Energy Best Deal – focussing on the cost of supply of utilities and pursuing alternative options for residents People are lifted out of fuel poverty People accessing cheaper fuel Housing and CABx 36,000 households in fuel poverty Due to energy crisis – varying approaches are now being reconsidered Grey Fuel Poverty Energy Best Deal - focussing on the cost of supply of utilities and pursuing alternative options for residents People are lifted out of fuel poverty People accessing cheaper fuel NLC Housing Solutions and CABx n/a Due to energy crisis – energy best deal no longer a focus Grey Fuel Poverty Deliver a multi tenure support service to assist households who are experiencing difficulty in meeting the cost of their household energy bills including advocating on behalf of households who have or are likely to have their energy disconnected by their supplier due to non payment of debt. The project will link with established support networks within North Lanarkshire. There is opportunity to create two posts or call off of Scotland Excel Framework - Energy Advice Framework tackling poverty team revenues and benefits business intelligence N/a Contract awarded to the WISE group. Funded by UK SPF £150K. Accepting referrals across NL. Green Fuel Poverty Hardship Payment launch fuel hardship payment financial assistance provided to vulnerable families tackling poverty team revenues and benefits business intelligence n/a Payment launched Grey
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Reduce The Cost of Living Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Financial Education Provide school children with money advice/consumer advice information sessions (MACA) make children more aware of financial issues the tackling poverty team education and families n/a (baseline figure is from 2018/19 and therefore not applicable) MACA paused due to covid Amber Affordable Credit To widen access to payroll deduction for credit unions and access to affordable credit to increase credit union membership and reduce payday lending in North Lanarkshire Establish credit union forum in North Lanarkshire the tackling poverty team education and families 14,752 adult and 1131 young members (based on 3 of the 17 credit union providers in NL) 5 credit unions affiliated to the Scottish League of Credit Unions have 9,642 adult members and 1,462 junior members. Unable to get contacts for ABCUL credit unions at present. Amber Debt Advice Advice and support in relation to debt and budgeting advice provided by Council and External advice services assist people out of debt and provide them with the tools to budget accordingly the tackling poverty team and CABx 895 referrals to the service in 2020/21 1124 referrals received in 2022/23 Green Debt Advice Journey Plot Debt assistance utilising a telephone helpline and webchat interface assist people out of debt and provide them with the tools to budget accordingly Tackling Poverty Team n/a Funded through Scottish Legal Aid Board, part of this project has been achieved, however, other avenues now being explored. Grey New Affordable Homes Deliver 5000 new affordable homes by 2035 reduce the cost of living by increasing the supply of energy efficient, affordable homes housing (new supply) 970 new homes built with a further 421 on site. Amber New Affordable Homes support housing association partners to deliver new homes by March 2024 reduce the cost of living by increasing the supply of energy efficient, affordable homes housing (new supply) 2126 homes have been delivered. Amber Improved Energy Efficiency Deliver capital investment programmes HEEPS ABS and other initiatives Reduce the cost of living by increasing the supply of energy efficiency of housing stock across all tenures Housing (investment) august 2019- 99.2% of properties have an EPX of D (SAP55) of above 2100 homes improved through HEEPS ABS 99.2% are at D or above Amber Support homeowners to adapt, repair and maintain their homes deliver advice and assistance (including financial assistance) to homeownder through the Scheme of Assistance reduce the cost of living by preventing and addressing disrepair and improving health and wellbeing by suporting owners to adapt their homes Built Environment (Private Sector); HSCP - equipment and adaptations 2018/19 345 disabled adaptations - 832 assistance (including 167 grams and 3 missing shares provided) 187 disabled adaption grants provided in 2022 – the scheme has been revised with no funding available for owner grants. Grey Address the Issues of Funeral Poverty work with funeral directors in an attempt to address high funeral costs for north lanarkshire residents work with funeral directors in an attempt to address high funeral costs for north lanarkshire residents the tackling poverty team n/a Lack of engagement from funeral providers in this area Grey MACA Revamp discussion with Bargeddie Primary School teachers to assist in the revamp update the MACA project tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Amber
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Reduce The Cost of Living Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS MACA Plus research to be carried out research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus meet with coltness high teachers research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus meet with com ed link research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus meet with coltness high pupils research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus meet with coltness high pupils research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus design pack and platform research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus organise meetings with parents research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus communications with education research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus design evaluation research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus Launch research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red MACA Plus Evaluation research to feed into the production of MACA Plus Programme tackling poverty team education & families n/a Paused due to covid Red
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Reduce The Cost of Living Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Debt Advice Journey Development of delivery of debt advice journey tackling poverty team education & families n/a Ongoing Amber Debt Advice Journey self help toolkit tackling poverty team education & families n/a Self Help Toolkit live on NL Council Website, including online budgeting tool and welfare benefits calculator Grey Debt Advice Journey online referral form tackling poverty team education & families n/a Developed but cannot go live due to Incompatability with Dynamics Grey Debt Advice Journey case management system tackling poverty team education & families n/a Development ongoing Grey Debt Advice Journey online service user portal tackling poverty team education & families n/a Did not progress to development Grey
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Supporting The Plan Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Establish a short term working group be established in order to properly examine the impact of COVID -19 on those in North Lanarkshire already experiencing poverty and inequality as well as those who are likely to fall into poverty as a result of the economic and social impact of Covid 19 The approach to recovery planning will be established on the principle of “build better back". fully researched recovery plan Tackling Poverty Team with links officers acrosss services and partnerships pre covid 19 crisis data Group established and report to Gold and Silver Group – Group now stands down. Grey Establish a Tackling Poverty Officer Action Group Establishing a group of Officers from across the Community Planning Partnership who will be able to contribute to the development and implementation of the Tackling Poverty Strategy all services and community planning partners will coordinate the apporach to tackling poverty which will complement the Plan for North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Team with links officers acrosss services and partnerships n/a Membership established and continually reviewed Green Community input to strategy development and delivery Work with Community and Voluntary Sector organisations to ensure that communities are aware of the tackling poverty strategy and have an opportunity to contribute to its ongoing development Building on earlier engagement through initial development of the strategy undertake the following •Undertake a survey amongst community and voluntary sector networks to allow input to the ongoing development and delivery of the tackling poverty strategy •Delivery of an input on the Tackling Poverty Strategy to the 9 Community Boards to allow further discussion regarding their role in its delivery Through existing mechanisms local communities are aware of and can contribute to delivery of the Tackling Poverty Strategy Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire Community and Voluntary Sector Communities Team Early engagement through previous locality structures (input to meetings and challenge poverty events). Feedback from engagement throughout C19 has highlighted that issues associated with poverty continue to be a concern for local people but that discussion is often around the symptoms of poverty A decision was made to develop involvement through the community boards, using the Local Planning Groups to be the voice for their communities. The Tackling Poverty Team are also using “The Three Questions” to ensure we have the voices of children and young people together with other residents. Amber Establish a Tackling Poverty Team A tackling poverty team will be responsible for the co-ordination and monitoring of all tackling poverty work all services and community planning partners will coordinate the approach to tackling poverty Tackling Poverty Team n/a Team established Green Poverty Proof Decisions Embed poverty impact assessments into decision-making in line with the Fairer Scotland Duty, we have one impact assessment which covers equality and diversity, health inequalities, poverty and UNCRC Bill Tackling Poverty Team Equalities Network n/a Fairer Scotland Duty and EQIA covers a main element in this area and in addition the UNCRC Bill (when passed) will enhance this action further. Amber
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Supporting The Plan Action Brief Description Planned Outcome Lead Team Baseline 2022/23 – Status 2022/23- RAGG STATUS Introduce Memorandums of Understanding between the Financial Inclusion Team and Services Income maximisation and debt advice services are available to all residents via either the services themselves or effective referral routes All services will have a co- ordinated corporate approach to tackling poverty Tackling poverty team with other services n/a following restructure of full council there is no further requirement for this Grey Establishment of an Involvement Group to help shape the strategy and services In order to get the views and direction from those with lived experience, people will be invited to join an Involvement Group Establishment of Group * communities * financial inclusion team * community & voluntary sector *VANL n/a Decision has been made to address involvement via the community boards Red Work with Community and Voluntary Sector Networks to Improve Understanding of Poverty Within Communities Identify clear communication channels for sharing key "poverty" related messages across community and voluntary sector networks Those representing communities understand their roles and responsibilities in raising awareness of key poverty messages, challenging stigma Communities Team n/a Decision has been made to address involvement via the community boards Amber Work with Community and Voluntary Sector Networks to Improve Understanding of Poverty Within Communities Deliver a session to the community boards as part of their Development Programme to ensure that those representing communities understand the strategy, what poverty looks like and some of the key messages, promote access to services and reduce stigma Communities are equipped with an understanding of poverty and how local people can access support Communities Team n/a Decision has been made to address involvement via the community boards Amber Work with Community and Voluntary Sector Networks to develop clear role and responsibilities for community boards and local anchor organisations as champions in challenging stigma and promoting supportive local approaches identify champions through community boards to participate in any awareness raising, identify and share information relating to action and key messages around poverty in localities Communities are equipped with an understanding of poverty and how local people can access support Communities Team n/a Each community board has established a Poverty Sub Group Amber Establish a Data Group to produce a "heat map" services and information we hold on our communities to be layered to identify areas to direct resources accordingly Direct resources and become more proactive Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group n/a preliminary work to be reported in March 22 Amber
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Appendix 2 Report: North Lanarkshire Year 4 Local Child Poverty Action report Information Feedback Prepared by: Lizzy Hammond, Anne Lee, and Julie Arnot Public Health Scotland Background The Child Poverty National Partners agreed to pilot a new processing arrangement for year four Local Child Poverty Action Reports (LCPARs) in which national partners were allocated reports to process and provide feedback if requested. Public Health Scotland processed North Lanarkshire’s year 4 report and provided informal feedback in January 2023, where it was agreed that PHS would provide an informal write up of the feedback provided. Overall North Lanarkshire’s Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR) is a well-written report structured around the three drivers of child poverty. The report clearly demonstrates that there is a lot of work underway in North Lanarkshire to address child poverty, recognising the impact of the pandemic and cost crisis on families. NHS Lanarkshire’s contribution is threaded throughout the report and appears to demonstrate good partnership working with a clear focus and commitment to child poverty. The feedback provided was consistent with what have already been identified locally as areas for improvement, some of which are already underway: • Use of data and intelligence • Lived experience • Focus of priority families • Understanding progress and impact North Lanarkshire outlined the intention to move to an overarching Tackling Child Poverty strategy to align with the Best Start Brighter futures plan covering the same reporting period (2022/2026). Data and Intelligence The report presents DWP figures for the overall number of children living in low- income households in North Lanarkshire and the rates at a community level, both in and out of work. There was a lack of data presented on the six priority groups, or further data and intelligence to indicate the extent and location of child poverty. It meant that a clear link between the intelligence presented, and the actions identified in the report could not always be made regarding how it informs local priorities to tackle child poverty. North Lanarkshire did demonstrate where data and intelligence was used to shape action on increasing income via employment specifically through supporting participation in the labour market. It provided the context of the labour market in terms of the impact of the pandemic (UK job retention scheme, vaccine roll-out for
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those of working age and school re-opening, but childcare remained an issue), and in-work concerns as pay growth is below inflation. It draws on data used as a measure of unemployment, including long term unemployment, employment, economic inactivity, including from long term sickness, and draws on evidence from the Fraser of Allander Institute and The Institute of Employment Studies to shape its employability programmes. The employability programmes are listed with descriptions and impact, and although some programmes were targeted at priority families such as the parental employment support fund and employment support funds, it would be useful to draw out the impact on priority groups across all the programmes. A task identified in the action plan for the data group was to ‘Identify all key areas of data and establish a “heat map” allowing resources to be directed accordingly’. This work was not progressed in time for use in this report but will be a useful tool in the future. Lived experience The report presented excellent case studies, the majority of which were from the priority groups, often demonstrating intersectionality between the priority groups and complexities in circumstances (for example the case study of Chelsea, a young lone parent). The case studies demonstrated the impact of services and highlighted the benefit of services where one key person or service engages a number of different services to support the family needs. North Lanarkshire have already identified that lived experience needs to be used to influence their approach to strategy development and reducing inequality where families’ experiences are expressly considered. It recognised the importance of the third sector in ensuring lived experience is used in decision making. It highlighted the work of One Parent Family Scotland (OPFS) in providing evidence of experiences of young, lone parents in North Lanarkshire and the multiple barriers they face in engaging with services. Priority families Throughout the report the priority families are mentioned. There is, however, little data presented on the six priority families in North Lanarkshire and their engagement with services. There are specific programmes targeted at priority families such as the Prospects for Parents targeting the 6 priority groups that are out of work and in work which was highlighted as a good example. There were some programmes and/or activities that report on the overall number of people supported or engaged with services, but it would be useful to focus on families, in particular the priority families. There is evidence that programmes are moving towards better capturing this data, such as using IT system changes as an opportunity to capture priority groups and NHS employability programmes. Understanding progress and impact The report highlights North Lanarkshire’s commitment to reducing child poverty and the intention to move to an overarching Tackling Child Poverty strategy to align with the Best Start Brighter futures plan.
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For this strategy it would be helpful for North Lanarkshire to develop a measurement framework or set of indicators to measure progress and impact. The current report draws on a range of policy areas but there is a gap in assessing the impact of these on child poverty. Consideration should be given to how current services are monitored and evaluated, and whether this provides a useful insight into their impact on low-income families. For example, the Club 365 programme was detailed but with no evidence provided of engagement of low-income families or impact. Examples of good practice There were a number of activities that were highlighted as interesting or good examples of practice. These were: • Fuel hardship payment of £150 with the addition of offering income maximisation, debt advice and budgeting in response to the cost crisis. • NHS Lanarkshire’s employability strategy being developed with a focus on priority families and existing programmes such as the kick start scheme, modern apprentices and the HCSW employability programme. • Free toast for all in schools with the development of QR codes. • Financial inclusion team embedding into social work practice that was reported as having a direct impact. The IT systems are also changing to support identifying priority families. • The case study of Clyde Valley High School where data is presented on high levels of low-income families attending the school using SIMD, entitlement of free school means and clothing grants. The school is providing universal free toast to all pupils in the mornings to reduce stigma and recognising the social preferences of the school pupils. In addition the QR codes will look to access the profile of the pupils accessing the provision. The pupil-led set up of the ‘Little of Shop of Happiness’ was also a good example, where school clothing, general clothing such as warm coats and footwear, food, toiletries, and household goods are offered stigma-free. This project demonstrated where the local community and business are now supporting this approach.