This report from the Social Justice Policy Group, chaired by Iain Duncan Smith, identifies five 'pathways' to poverty and makes proposals for tackling them. These pathways are: educational failure, family breakdown, economic dependence, indebtedness and addictions. A sixth section considers how the third sector might be better supported to help people escape poverty.
The JRF's public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern ‘socialevils’ on the theme of ‘inequality’. Jeremy Seabrook argues that, in the face of extraordinary imbalances in society, the myth that accumulating wealth is the supreme human purpose needs to be replaced before any improvement will occur.
This guide is an introduction to setting up groups for young refugees and provides information on why there is a need to establish groups across the UK; the substantial benefits groups can provide to young refugees; practical tips on setting up a group; group membership; group leadership and support; and key contacts and further reading.
In 1999, Tony Blair committed the Government to abolishing child poverty by 2020. In 2006, the Conservative opposition endorsed this aim, and in 2009 the Government introduced a Child Poverty Bill, which requires all future governments to meet four child poverty targets. This report claims that the way the Government is defining and measuring poverty is badly flawed, and that the new Bill has more to do with redistributing incomes and increasing welfare payments than with tackling the underlying causes of child poverty.
First Impressions was commissioned in early 2004, in order to look at the emotional and practical needs of families who have a small child – aged up to five – with a learning disability. This report looks at the support needed by these families, including the way in which parents are informed about their child’s learning disability. The impact on the family is examined and practical and strategic recommendations that can improve emotional and practical support for families with a young disabled child are detailed.
Despite poverty and social exclusion being common characteristics of families involved in the child protection system and a key factor associated with children becoming looked after, there is evidence to suggest that professionals struggle to truly incorporate an understanding of the impact of poverty in their assessments and interventions. In practice social workers and other professionals continue to have difficulty in making sense of the complex interplay between poverty, social deprivation, parental capacity and children's development.
This report details the reasons behind the low-pay/no-pay cycle and recurrent poverty among disadvantaged parents. The report uses qualitative interviews and focus groups with parents and practitioners, and survey analysis.
Research on families involved with child protection services in the United Kingdom reveal that many the families all share the common experiences of living on a low income, suffering housing difficulties, and social isolation. The children and families experiencing these factors may often feel that they have few choices available to help them. This learning object explores the complex issues that often surround these children and families.
Report of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee looking at Credit Unions in Scotland. In particular, it looks at the future for Credit Unions in Scotland and the questions of financial exclusion and financial literacy and affordable lending, credit and debt.
The Ministerial Task Force on health inequalities was set up by the current Scottish Government. The aim is to tackle the inequalities in health which prevent Scotland reaching its potential. This document meets the Task Force’s commitment to report on what now needs to be done to tackle health inequalities more effectively.