Child poverty: evidence in policy making

Child poverty evidence in policy infographic

Research evidence provides insights across the three key child poverty themes. The infographic summarises specific pieces of analytical evidence and shows how these are connected with one or more of the themes.

The infographic is a mind-map structured like a hub-and-spoke model. In the centre is a node representing the main overarching concept of Evidence Rooted in Experience.

On either side of this are nodes for two key policy examples: Scottish Child Payment and Two-Child Limit Payment. These are surrounded by boxes summarising specific pieces of analytical evidence.

Arrows are included to show how each piece of analytical evidence links with one or more of the three nodes in the centre, showing how research underpins policy.

The evidence boxes are as follows:

Priority family focus reports

Arrows connect to all three central nodes.

• Linked to the three drivers of child poverty: income from employment, social security & cost of living
• Each family type faces unique barriers that intersect
• Shows which targeted policies work best for each group
• Example: increased flexibility in childcare and increased wellbeing are recommended for families with a child under one

ACF and EAC evaluation

One arrow connects to the central node Evidence Rooted in Experience.

• Access to Childcare Fund and Early Adopter Communities
• Shows the projects are successfully providing accessible & affordable childcare

Early learning and childcare evaluation

One arrow connects to the central node Evidence Rooted in Experience.

• Evidence that the expansion helped parents into work and improved children’s wellbeing
• Importance of ongoing monitoring of changes to and developments of key policies

Impact modelling reports

Arrows connect to all three central nodes.

• Using microsimulation models to estimate impact of policies
• Shows Scottish Child Payment to be the most effective in reducing child poverty rates
• Shows two-child limit negatively impacts child poverty rates

Decomposition analysis

Arrows connect to the Evidence Rooted in Experience node and the Two-Child Limit Payment node.

• Larger families saw an increase in poverty rates while smaller families saw a decrease
• Contributing to evidence that the two-child limit has a negative impact

Pathfinder evaluation

One arrow connects to the central node Evidence Rooted in Experience.  

• Early evidence that partnerships are delivering positive outcomes
• Place-based, person-centred initiatives are helping families across priority groups

Gender focus report

One arrow connects to the central node Evidence Rooted in Experience.

• Found that women’s poverty is linked to child poverty
• Women more likely to be doing unpaid care work
• Policies need to target gender inequality to help child poverty

SCP interim evaluations

Arrows connect to the Evidence Rooted in Experience node and the Scottish Child Payment node.

• Shows Scottish Child Payment contributes most to reducing child poverty
• Research led to increase in the payment amount and eligibility

SCP and labour market study

One arrow connects to the Scottish Child Payment node.

• Scottish Child Payment at current level has not been negatively affecting labour market outcomes at scale
• Other positive impacts: societal benefits and wellbeing