Child and family poverty

The Derby Child and Family Poverty Strategy – Areas for Action – is a partnership strategy that was adopted by the Derby City and Neighbourhood Partnerships Leadership Board in June 2013. The strategy was endorsed by Council Cabinet in May, when it was agreed to embed the key areas for action into Council policy.

Workstreams for each Area for Action have been and will be devised by the Derby Child and Family Poverty Commission, which oversees delivery and monitors the impact on child and family poverty in the city. The Commission is chaired by Cllr Martin Rawson – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

Areas for Action

Short-term

Support employees of partner organisations who are living in poverty:

• adoption of Living Wage by partner organisations
• employee support schemes - development of bulk buying energy schemes.

Food and essential items banks:

• support for food banks
• basic training and awareness of food bank services within partner employees
• strategic coordination of food bank services across the city
• creating more donation networks in the city
• monitor supply and demand.

Medium-term

Doorstep/payday lending:

• challenging the marketing, promotion and positioning of payday lending companies to protect the vulnerable
• development and promotion of alternative forms of payday support.

Increasing the availability of affordable banking in the city:

• understanding the supply and demand of credit unions in the city
• review credit union development.

Improving the financial literacy of those in poverty:

• review of financial literacy support in the city.

Joining up of advice and support services in the city:

• review of information and advice provision in the city, including how services work together and could work better together.

Improved advice and support for private sector housing tenants.

Long-term

Breaking the cycle

• inspiring young people
• preparing young people for the world of work 
• opportunities for work experience and apprenticeships
• high quality employment for future generations.