Tackling child poverty skills package: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Consultation/feedback directly from children and young people

Children and young people were consulted directly as part of the engagement process for the final tackling child poverty delivery plan. Details on this consultation are included in the relevant, broader CRWIA. ³

4. Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed

No specific gaps in evidence have been identified which may prevent determination of impact.

The Scottish Government intends to carefully monitor the progress of delivery across all three skills initiatives to progress impact. Further feedback will be provided through the RISE steering group, including from colleges and expert stakeholders.

No negative impacts have been identified at this stage, though the Scottish Government will continue to monitor and review this as the initiatives are implemented and will take action to improve and mitigate any impacts identified.

5. Analysis of Evidence

A separate Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been carried out for assessment of the package's impact in relation to protected characteristics.

The evidence analysed demonstrates that child poverty in Scotland remains persistent, with around one in four children affected, while the majority of children in poverty live in working households. This clearly indicates that low pay, limited progression opportunities, and insecure employment are key drivers of poverty. Consequently, interventions focused on improving skills, access to training, and progression within work are likely to positively contribute in addressing the underlying causes of child poverty by raising incomes and enabling individuals to find more secure employment. The proposal’s focus on helping parents enter, sustain and progress in employment is therefore well aligned with the evidence on what is needed to increase household incomes.

The evidence also demonstrates that poverty is concentrated among specific family groups, and that many families experience multiple and overlapping disadvantages. This underlines the importance of targeting support towards those most at risk, and of addressing structural barriers such as childcare and labour market inequalities. The inclusion of childcare and travel support within the Colleges RISE programme directly responds to evidence that such barriers can prevent participation in education and training, particularly for low-income parents within the six priority family groups.

While there is limited evidence linking skills interventions to reductions in child poverty, there is stronger and more consistent evidence that education, training, and lifelong learning lead to improved employment outcomes, including higher earnings, better job quality, and increased opportunities for progression. Evaluation evidence from the Individual Training Account scheme ¹⁴ showed that funded training enables people (particularly those on low incomes) to access better-paying roles and develop their careers. This suggests that the measures within the proposal, including TAF and the new FWDF, are likely to contribute to increasing parental income over time, which is a key mechanism for reducing child poverty.

The evidence on the long-term impacts of child poverty indicates that growing up in low-income households is associated with poorer outcomes in adulthood, including lower earnings and a greater likelihood of insecure employment. There is also some evidence of intergenerational impacts, where parental engagement in learning can support improved outcomes for children, reinforcing positive attitudes towards education and future aspirations. These reinforce the importance of tackling poverty early and addressing its root causes. By supporting parents to build skills and improve their employment prospects, the proposal is expected to contribute to longer-term improvements in children’s life chances, even if the impacts may not be immediate.

Overall, the evidence suggests that the proposal is targeted at key drivers of poverty and inequality, and is likely to have a positive impact on children’s wellbeing, particularly through improving household income and reducing barriers to opportunity.

6. What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment?

No specific changes have been required as a result of this assessment.

7. Conclusion

As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights?

Positive

If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland.

The Colleges RISE, TAF and new FWDF skills package will target the six priority families at highest risk of child poverty, working to mitigate the discrimination they often face (UNCRC 2).

The package aims to increase families’ earned incomes by strengthening parents’ employment opportunities through aligned skills and employability support, working in partnership with employers to support fair work, and expanding the availability of the key services of childcare and transport (UNCRC 18). This will also help families and children to have an adequate standard of living (UNCRC 27).

If a negative impact has been identified please describe it below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?

Not applicable.

Mitigation Record

Not applicable. Issue or risk identified and relevant UNCRC requirement

N/A – no negative impacts have been identified.

Action Taken/ To Be Taken

N/A

Date action to be taken or was taken

N/A

As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland?

Safe: Yes

Healthy: Yes

Achieving: Yes

Nurtured: Yes

Active: Yes

Respected: Not Applicable

Responsible: Not Applicable

Included: Yes

If yes, please provide an explanation below:

The tackling child poverty skills package is expected to have a positive impact on “Achieving” as equipping parents/carers with the skills they need to enter and sustain higher skilled/paid employment is likely to positively impact children’s future educational attainment and employment prospects. It will also positively impact on “Included” as successfully tackling child poverty enables children to fully participate in society; on “Safe” and “Nurtured”, as reduced poverty can lessen financial stress, housing insecurity and deprivation; and on “Healthy”, as increased household income will help the wider wellbeing of children and the family as a whole.

The policy may contribute positively to the “Active” wellbeing indicator. Parenting Across Scotland – Facts and Figures 2024: Play and leisure notes that children from low income families were less likely to attend activities than those from wealthier backgrounds (33% and 12% respectively).^[20] Cost pressure of children’s hobbies is also cited in Parents Across Scotland New Parenting Evidence Review 2025-26. Increased household incomes could help remove some of the associated cost barriers families face, giving children greater access to sports and leisure activities.^[21]

The delivery of new and expanded upskilling/retraining opportunities to low-income parents and carers could also have a positive impact on Article 27 (right to adequate standard of living), as a result primary caregivers may be in a better position to help their children realise those rights.

How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights?

This CRWIA will be published on the gov.scot website to be accessed by anyone wishing to read it. However, a child-friendly version has not been developed as these initiatives target adult learners.