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Help, advice and support for practitioners working in the Early Years sector.
Child poverty is not inevitable (Treanor, 2020). However, the statistical data shows that childhood poverty levels in the UK have been much lower in the past than they are today. Many charities provide advice and support on reducing the levels of poverty in England through their own strategies. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix, and without government investment, poverty levels in the UK may continue with the fluctuating growth as seen over the past decade. Although each charity has their own blueprint for a way out of poverty, there are commonalties between them all. These commonalities include:
Boost income and reduce the cost of living.
Boost income and reduce the cost of living.
Implement and deliver an effective benefit system
Implement and deliver an effective benefit system
Improve standards in education and upskill the workforce
Improve standards in education and upskill the workforce
Promote long term economic growth for the benefit of all.
Promote long term economic growth for the benefit of all.
Strengthen families and communities
Strengthen families and communities
Providing access to high-quality early years education to all children from the age of 2
Providing access to high-quality early years education to all children from the age of 2
Is the solution a basic income?
Is the solution a basic income?
Rutger Bregman discusses how a large scale experiment in Dauphin, Canada in 1974 saw every person living below the poverty line were provided with a basic income. The results of which were explored 25 years later by a Canadian professor (Evelyn Forget) showed that this basic income had a far-reaching impact on the families education, relationships, health and mental wellbeing (TED, 2017).
Is the solution the government stepping up?
Is the solution the government stepping up?
NEU (2020) discusses how the government need to 'step up' to support education so that schools can meet the needs of every child and that No child is left behind.
No child should be hungry.
No child should be hungry.
NEU (2020) demands the government to invest in free school dinners for all children who currently live in poverty, not only those who live in absolute poverty. Removing the pressure of where the child will find their next healthy meal will reduce stress on the child and their parents. Stress, which we have seen, is detrimental to a child's learning and development.
Do the children themselves hold the answers?
Do the children themselves hold the answers?
UnicefUK (2012) gave the students at St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian, Scotland, a voice. Students want people to realise that poverty is not just in the 3rd world, but it is happening in our communities, and we should be aware of this and educate children to realise and understand.
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