Local child poverty action reports

As part of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017, Local Authorities and NHS Boards must jointly report annually on the activity they are taking, and will take, to reduce child poverty. These reports are called local child poverty action reports.

Here you can find information on when each report is due, what it should include and guidance on creating them.

When the reports are due

The first report will cover the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.

It should be published before 30 June 2019.

Steps involved in creating the reports

Specific strategic leadership for creating these reports will be decided locally. The local child poverty action report guidance suggests the Community Planning Partnership process could provide a helpful way to co-ordinate this work.

This guidance is available from the Scottish Government and covers the steps involved in creating a local child poverty action report. 

What the reports should include

Actions to address the drivers of child poverty

The reports should describe activity undertaken during each financial year to reduce child poverty. They should also include future activities that are planned.

It is recommended that any actions taken are informed by the drivers of child poverty, which are

• income from social security and benefits in kind
• income from employment
• the costs of living.

You can find out more about these on our causes of child poverty page. 

We have produced a selection of case studies on current local actions to reduce child poverty.

Examples include

• a targeted and tailored employability service for lone parents
• financial inclusion services for vulnerable pregnant women and families
• a project which aims to support families reduce housing costs and secure sustainable housing
• activities to reduce the cost of the school day and school holidays.  

We have also produced an outcomes planning tool which, as well as examples of local actions, includes guidance on

• reviewing existing activities
• identifying gaps and areas for improvement
• developing monitoring and evaluation of activities using an outcomes focused approach.

Helping households with protected characteristics

The reports must also include reference to measures taken, or proposed to be taken, to support children living in households whose income is adversely affected, or whose expenditure has increased, because a member of the household has one or more protected characteristics. These are

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation.

Income maximisation for pregnant women and families with children

The reports must also include details of income maximisation measures taken in the area of the local authority during the reporting year to provide pregnant women and families with children with 

• information, advice and assistance about eligibility for financial support
• assistance to apply for financial support. 

You can find out more about how to provide this support in our financial inclusion referral pathways section.