CYP Now - Councils dig deep to help children and families below poverty line

As the rise in the cost-of-living pushes more families into poverty, local authorities are developing a range of schemes, services and support packages to try to reduce the impact on children’s health and wellbeing.

Magic Breakfast is to provide free nutritious meals in schools across Wandsworth. Picture: Magic Breakfast

Amid the turmoil of rising inflation, political instability in Westminster and war in Ukraine, the surge in living costs shows no sign of abating, with evidence emerging that it is already harming children’s and families’ wellbeing and experts warning of worse to come.

The rising cost of food, heating, fuel and consumer goods has seen a significant increase over the past six months in the number of disadvantaged families experiencing financial distress and more children living in poverty conditions.

The bleak situation and outlook have prompted children’s charities and local authority leaders to warn of a surge in referrals for help to children’s services departments and, worse, an increase in looked-after children as result of families being unable to cope.

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