Poverty

Further information on Poverty for primary and secondary school stages can be found here

What is poverty?  

‘Individuals, families and groups in the population can be said to be in poverty when they lack resources to obtain the type of diet, participate in the activities and have the living conditions and amenities which are customary, or at least widely encouraged and approved, in the societies in which they belong.” (Peter Townsend,1979) This is one definition. Poverty isn’t fixed and is relative to the typical living standard in society. 

In Glasgow 1 in 4 children are currently living in poverty. In some areas this may be higher. For more information click here

Poverty impacts health and wellbeing. Poor health increases the risk of poverty. The current cost of living crisis could impact on existing inequalities.  Research by Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows four main pathways that money affects wellbeing: the material resources people can afford, the stress and social pressures linked to low income, the way financial constraints shape health‑related behaviours, and the impact that poor health itself can have on reducing income. For More information click here

The following documents are a useful resource to build knowledge on current priorities and work around poverty.  They can inform planning and delivery within your nursery,  and EY establishment

Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26 this document summarises the approach to assessing progress towards system change in the context of child poverty. Further information can be found here

Glasgow City Food Plan and a 'Cash First' approach outlines ‘Fair Food for All’ as a priority. Their 3-year plan focuses on actions they will take to make a positive impact on how people facing financial crisis are supported and share learning how organisations can work together to tackle food insecurity. For more information click here

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independent social change organisation working to solve UK poverty. Their website has a wide range of information and resources on child poverty. For more information click here

Cost of the Nursery Day

This project aimed to identify poverty-related barriers to learning and participation in nurseries, and to develop ways to overcome them. For more information on the pilot click here  

The Cost of the School Day toolkit can be adapted to support early years planning. For more information click here

Public Health Scotland Child Poverty Learning Hub The hub is aimed at anyone interested in reducing child poverty in Scotland. The hub is pitched at foundation level. The hub is free and can be accessed through the PHS Virtual Learning Environment. For more information click here

Child Poverty Dashboard 

This is a tool which partners the child poverty report. The dashboard provides information on levels of child poverty across the city.  For more information click here

Outright- Speak out on children rights.

Outright is a campaign for children, by children, that helps them to promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and around the world. For more information click here

Rights Respecting School Resources – UNICEF. This website provides a wide range of resources to support teaching and learning about children’s rights in your classroom. For more information click here

Scottish Attainment Challenge   

The Scottish Attainment Challenge is about achieving equity in educational outcomes, with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap. For more information click here

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – Poverty   

Eradicating poverty is a pivotal goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A range of facts, videos and further links are available. For more information click here

Worrying About Money? Cash First Referrals 

With 3 steps to find options and places to get help if you are worried about money. Leaflet is available online and in English, Slovakian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Romanian, and Farsi. For more information click here

Social Security Scotland - Financial Support for Families.

Information on a range of benefits, including the 5 family payments, adult disability, child disability, carers, heating and other benefits. Information available in alternative languages.

To make an appointment call 0800 182 2222.  For more information click here

Glasgow Help Website and Telephone Support 

Glasgow Helps Can help you with money worries, health and wellbeing, housing, childcare, benefits, accessing essential services, employment, training, advice or offer a listening ear. Whatever it is you need, they will work with you to connect you to the right solution. For more information click here

Cost of Living Support Website

The website brings together in one place information on support, grants, benefits and advice, to help people find what support they may be entitled to. For more information  click here .  For specific information for support for families  click here . 

Clothing Grants and Free School Meals.

There is support for eligible families to access clothing grants and free school meals. For more information click here

Citizen’s Advice (Scotland)

Advice on work, benefits and lots more. For more information click here .

Citizens Advice Money Map provides support to increase your income, reduce your bills and ease the cost of living. For more information click here .

Home Energy Scotland (HOS)

Provides support to create warmer homes, reduce energy bills, and lower carbon footprints. For more information click here

NHS Inform  

Provides helpful information about coping with money worries including how to feel more positive and financial support services. For more information click here

Support for Families: Schools Booklet

This resource from Glasgow City Council and partners has been developed for families and schools, offering information on a wide range of financial supports available across the city. For more information click here

Financially Included 

Financially included Provide support to women recovering from economic abuse, offering: money advice, 1-1 help with coerced debt and benefits. For more information click here

Relational Mentoring

Relational Mentoring support to vulnerable family households to move them onto a positive journey out of child poverty. They provide one-to-one support to better understand the wider needs of the household and addressing them to break down barriers and achieve positive progress. This may include support for skills, employability, community justice, and home energy. For more information click here

The Glasgow City HSCP Health Improvement Team have pulled together a list of key strategy and policy links regarding Child Poverty and Early Years. These documents should be used to inform planning and delivery within your establishment and school community.

These documents are a useful resource to build a knowledge base around current priorities and work around Child Poverty and Early Years in Glasgow and across Scotland. Please note that clicking on these documents will take you to external websites.

Best Start, Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022 to 2026

The Cost of a Child in Scotland in 2025

Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 Glasgow’s Local Child Poverty Action Report 2023/24 Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26

UK Poverty 2026: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK