Haringey CABOur role in working to

combat Child Poverty in Haringey

Markos Chrysostomou

Why? 5th highest proportion of children in poverty in the UK.

9 out of 19 wards with Child Poverty levels of over 50%.

Responding to

the needs of the community.

How did we become involved? Previous outreach work through New Deal

for Communities. NRF funded Project - Reaping the

Benefits – outreach income maximisation project in 3 of the poorest wards.

Target groups included families. Delivered in partnership with LBH

Neighbourhood Management. 2 of the venues were Children’s Centres.

Building on Experience Financial outcomes from income maximisation work in

outreach settings were high. Need for targeted Benefit Take Up work confirmed. Targeting parents through working in Children’s Centres

increased access for parents in non stigmatising environments.

Having pressed for an anti poverty strategy the Haringey Child Poverty Action Group was set up to specifically address Child Poverty in Haringey.

Funding secured to research and develop initiatives to combat Child Poverty, including a pilot Children’s Centre advice service in a deprived area in the West of the borough.

Delivering Services Reaping the Benefits has run for nearly 4 years

but due to end January. Over £1.5 million in extra benefits and debt write offs gained.

Funding secured to provide a borough wide Children’s Centres Advice Project providing Benefits and Money advice to parents.

Project is funded for 6 months up to March 2011 and has to achieve outcomes of 200 families & £100k in extra benefits. The 1st month has already seen money gains and more than 50 families have accessed the service.

Added value includes training sessions and 2nd tier support to Children’s Centre staff.

Actively influencing Policy Membership of Haringey CPAG. Reporting on outcomes and trends. Contributing to the Child Poverty Needs

Assessment. Making recommendations for strategy

development. Working with Children’s Centre staff & Council

Officers to increase awareness of issues affecting parents.

Provision of information and training to increase front line support for parents.

Where from here? Reducing Child Poverty remains a priority. LAs have to involve the 3rd sector in strategy

development. Haringey has completed it’s needs

assessment. Bureaux in strong position to deliver

programmes. Our work with Haringey has been

recognised by the Child Poverty Unit & evidence from our work will be used in the submission to Frank Field.

Lessons Learned Effective preparation. Agree effective resource allocation. Effective promotion and engagement with

targeted communities. Review and Analysis throughout project life

cycle. Recognise, celebrate & communicate

success. Multi faceted monitoring & building on data

acquired to inform development of future projects.

Make recommendations and contribute to policy development.

The Importance of Partnership

“Both the Children’s Centres and CAB have a strong commitment to relieving child poverty within Haringey – neither party can achieve this alone. By working together we combine resources and expertise to provide a strong and effective service to the whole family. This is why Haringey Council is working together in partnership to deliver a borough wide Children’s Centre Advice Service.”

Annie Jordan – Working Families Information Officer, London Borough of Haringey.