Information Technology

Information Technology Education and Learning Opportunities / Addysg

Income Poverty

Current Challenges What Can Be Done? Where To Go?

Working with others Schools alone are unable to tackle and overcome the effects of child poverty on education. Effective schools working in deprived areas develop creative methods of working with others.

Develop creative methods for the recruitment and retention of staff. Consider recruiting from the local community and ex pupils for all staff positions.

De Stigmatising Payment Methods Some free school meals and other payment methods stigmatise pupils making them more vulnerable to bullying.

Develop sensitive payment methods within school settings

Cashless Catering http://www.familyandparenting.org/item/1202 Denbighshire Cashless Catering

Information Technology A Safe Home and Community / Cartrefi a chymunedau diogel

Income Poverty

Current Challenges What Can Be Done? Where To Go?

Benefits Administration The performance of benefits administration is varied across Wales. There are concerns about the fragmented way in which the benefit is currently delivered and the administrative complexity and delays that result from this, which in turn often leave families and young people with rent arrears (and in the most extreme cases, threats of eviction) through no fault of their own. Landlords’ cashflows can also be affected which can prejudice their renting to Housing Benefit claimants. The way in which Housing Benefit is administered can also act as a barrier to people entering employment.

Continually review and develop practice Benefits administration performance report

Information Technology Income Maximisation / Employment / Heb fod dan anfantais o achos tlodi

Income Poverty

Current Challenges What Can Be Done? Where To Go?

Operating without a bank account can lead to significant costs leading to poor families having to pay a poverty premium.

Consider developing a multi agency approach (credit unions, voluntary sector, housing, health) to addressing financial inclusion for families and consider innovative approaches using the internet as a means of delivering accessibility to competitive rates/products.

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/toolkit.shtml http://www.nowletstalkmoney.com/gb/en/default.html http://www.basic-skills.co.uk/ouractivities/financialliteracy/ http://www.pfeg.org/ http://www.learnaboutmoney.org/index.php http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/

Information Technology Income Maximisation / Employment / Heb fod dan anfantais o achos tlodi

Income Poverty

Current Challenges What Can Be Done? Where To Go?

Research indicates that benefit take-up is an issue within Wales Official figures show 44% of couples with children are paying out much more than they need to in council tax. HMRC state that in 2005-2006, 60,000 families did not claim their entitlement to Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit which amounted to £80m of unclaimed Tax credits (central estimates)

Consider the feasibility of undertaking in work benefit-take up take up activities with working families on low incomes. Such activity should be multiagency involving experts from the voluntary sector.

http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=22235 http://www.entitledto.co.uk/default.aspx

Efficient benefits administration perform-ance can have a significant impact in tackling poverty and providing opportunity, whereas poor performance restricts opportunity and leaves people facing financial problems.

Ensure that the performance and efficiency of benefits administration regularly is reviewed and continually develop staff, working processes, partnerships and a performance culture. Re-evaluate practice in relation to interim payments when claims are delayed to ensure that claimants Review the Council’s approach to its benefits and family related grants with a view to creating a more streamlined, seamless service that links benefits administration, free school meal applications, school uniform grants etc.

DWP housing benefit advice for local authorities

Information Technology Education and Learning Opportunities / Addysg

Service Poverty

Current Challenges What Can Be Done? Where To Go?

Homework Policies Children from more advantaged backgrounds enjoy considerable out of school support in overcoming their problems that their disadvantaged peers do not receive. The latter are almost totally dependent on out-of-school homework clubs if they are to access such support.

Develop guidance on homework policies that take account of the difficult situation faced by children experiencing poverty and the support that can be made available to them.

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/atoz/h/homework/ Homework Policies

Information Technology Education and Learning Opportunities / Addysg

Service Poverty

Current Challenges What Can Be Done? Where To Go?

Smooth transitions Develop robust methods that track those at risk of becoming a NEET, deal swiftly with dropout and develop efficient coordinated youth support services.

TOOLKIT ALIGNING PROVISION Developing provision to meet PSA Targets for Attainment of Level 2 at 19 and Reducing the proportion of Young People who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)

Working with others Consider bringing in role models to show people from their own background that can be successful.

http://www.infed.org/biblio/role_model_education.htm http://www.teachers.tv/video/244

Improvement & Accountability Schools that successfully counter the disadvantages caused by child poverty possess excellent systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of the curriculum.

Review the current monitoring arrangements for educational inequality and ensure that good practice is adopted.

the extra mile: How schools succeed in raising aspira-tions in deprived areas

Basic Skills Low levels of basic skills in work hamper the ability of employees to progress and perpetuates in work poverty.

Prioritise basic skills within your own organisations and encourage all partners to sign up to "Basic skills employer pledge". Complete and implement the action plan.

Basic-skills-Wales: employer_pledge