Before we consider the viability of solutions to a problem, we have to understand its severity.
Buttle UK’s State of Child Poverty 2023 report suggests that the trauma caused by, or resulting in, poverty is increasing. This was measured by asking respondents about adverse childhood experiences (or ACEs) in the home, with the most severe:
- Mental illness (present in 70% of the households)
- Domestic violence (in 64% of the households)
- Neglect (in 55% of the households)
- Parental separation (in 69% of the households)
- Verbal abuse (in 65% of the households).
These figures show that the strain of making ends meet leads to a surge in relationship breakdowns, fraying the lifelines that families rely on for support. Poverty-related stress can also drive families towards destructive coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, as suggested by the prevalence of alcohol abuse in 45% of homes and drug use in 42%.
Children within these homes bear witness to their parents’ struggles, enduring stress and anxiety that impacts their own wellbeing. The ripple effects of witnessing parents and caregivers wrestle with untreated mental illness are profound, often perpetuating their children’s own struggles with mental health.
The report also notes an increase in behavioural issues among children and young people, surging from 53% in 2020 to 65% in 2023. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence plague many children living in poverty, hindering their attendance at school. Those who do attend often face bullying, stemming from ill-fitting or unwashed clothing, further eroding their self-worth.
In the face of insurmountable pressure, these vulnerable children and young people find themselves increasingly isolated. Yet, amidst this challenging landscape, a beacon of hope remains clear: the critical role of support services accessed by these households. Families are turning to local authorities, charities, and social services for advice, financial assistance, and emotional support in droves, according to the report. Yet it’s also clear that support services are overwhelmed, leaving families to work it out lone or, worse, not work it out at all.
Buttle UK’s three solutions to reduce the impact of poverty on children are:
- Support the removal of the two-child limit (restricting support in universal credit and tax credits to two children in a family), which could significantly increase household income and help lift a quarter of a million children out of poverty.
- Endorse the Essentials Guarantee to ensure that Universal Credit adequately covers essential expenses like food and utilities, excluding rent and council tax.
- Advocate for the appointment of a dedicated Cabinet Minister for Children and Young People to lead an England-wide Child Poverty Strategy, including a thorough review of state support to address the complex interplay between poverty, inequality, and lifelong impacts.
Kids Matter’s parenting programmes likely fall into the third solution – part of a strategy that not only reviews state support but gets behind the voluntary sector as a resource to help reduce the impact of poverty on children. This would be undoubtedly great but, when families are in crisis, there is no time to wait for decision makers to reform policy.
Our programmes are free, friendly groups, run in local community settings, for families facing disadvantages. By focusing on parental wellbeing and confidence, and equipping parents with the tools to build strong relationships, our programmes aim to give every child in need the chance to thrive in life.
It is essential to the wellbeing of children and families facing disadvantages that we come alongside them early on, so that they can build resilience in spite of the pressures of poverty. If you would like to find out more about Kids Matter, or want to talk about partnering with us, then we’d love to hear from you. Email us at info@kidsmatter.org.uk