Bringing Hope, Building Futures: Tackling child poverty delivery plan 2026-2031 – annex 2: Analysis of consultation and engagement

11. Conclusions

A range of organisations with varied knowledge and experiences responded to the call for evidence, and those with experiences of poverty or supporting families in poverty participated in wider engagement activities led by the Scottish Government and partner organisations. Respondents and attendees shared their views on the third Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, providing insight into approaches that have been helpful in the past and making suggestions on what could be included and improved in the next plan.

Overall, respondents were supportive of the four strategic themes explored in the engagement, with very few suggestions for other themes or criticism of the four themes being offered. However, many respondents caveated their support by suggesting changes to the themes or raising other issues or concerns that they felt should be considered. The most common suggestion was to split Theme 2 (Reducing the Cost of Living and Income Maximisation) into two separate themes.

Throughout the engagement, there was support for approaches, programmes and support services that have been implemented or funded by the Scottish Government, which were felt to have had a positive impact in tackling child poverty. The Scottish Child Payment was highlighted most frequently for the help it provides to families. However, a recurring theme was a call for more long-term, sustainable funding across these programmes to ensure they can continue to provide the necessary support and allow their eligibility criteria and reach to be extended.

The need to adopt holistic approaches to assisting families and tackling child poverty was frequently highlighted. This included calls for greater support for the mental wellbeing of both children and young people, as well as their families, and the use of whole-family approaches, which respondents thought would help break the generational cycle of poverty. Respondents repeatedly expressed the view that integrated and collaborative systems of support, such as community-based or multi-service hubs, data sharing across support providers, and collaboration between public and third-sector organisations, could improve services for children and young people experiencing poverty. Respondents also emphasised the importance of improved data collection, particularly in monitoring and evaluating the impacts of existing programmes and better understanding the needs of priority family groups and other groups at greater risk of poverty.

Children and young people highlighted the impacts of stigma related to their experiences of poverty and the impact it can have on their self-esteem and mental health. Engagement events with this group emphasised the positive outcomes associated with many existing programmes that provide resources for the school day, such as free school meal provision and uniform grants. Other policy areas, including transport, housing and the transition from education to employment, were all highlighted by children and young people as requiring action to help them and their families address the cost of living.

The call for evidence and engagement activity has enabled respondents to detail both the positive and negative impacts of existing approaches, and to suggest what else needs to be done in the next five years. Their views have helped to highlight key considerations for the Scottish Government when finalising the third and final Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.