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Nearly 1 million children faced destitution in the UK in 2022..

(430 Posts)
CvD66 Wed 25-Oct-23 11:10:37

..so this is the day the Prime Minister celebrates one year in office by scrapping the cap on bankers' bonuses!
The Joseph Rowntree foundation has found 3.8 m people in the UK are facing destitution. This figure is up 61% in one year and has doubled in the last five years. Destitution is defined as having very low income or having to go without basic supplies.
When is this government going to turn away from their banker friends and face the tragedy their constituents are facing?

ronib Thu 26-Oct-23 12:35:30

Www2 I didn’t think that Sure Start gave 8 days support to all new parents?
I have noticed that the very quick turnaround from delivery of a first baby to going home without established feeding can have an adverse effect on any new mother. And if the delivery has been long or difficult, the Nhs doesn’t always recognise maternal psychological distress.
I don’t know if the divorce rate in Holland is the same as here but I can have a look.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:41:50

😄 no but it did give long term and professional support to families in difficulties or where there was poor parenting.

I have no doubt that Holland, as well as giving the sort of support that used to be common place in the U.K. immediately after birth, also has long term plan for pre-primary school children and parents.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:42:51

Sure Start - Babies were accepted at 6 weeks I think.

silverlining48 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:47:09

Sure start was a brilliant scheme which was non judgemental and made a big difference tomsmy struggling families. As had been said trashed by the tories,

ronib Thu 26-Oct-23 12:48:51

Well the beauty of the Dutch system is that all mothers can access support and six weeks is a long time to wait when in crisis. Help given in the first 8 days makes much better sense.
I am surprised that Angela Rayner isn’t looking into this type of intervention or perhaps she is?

Whitewavemark2 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:51:40

My DiL managed one - which was a hub for the nursery, parenting classes and help together with a dedicated social worker who i assume picked up the more difficult cases.

It was so well thought of that, middle class parent applied for nursery places.

Tories sold it off. All it is now is an expensive nursery. My DIL left, and had entirely different career now.

Galaxy Thu 26-Oct-23 12:52:21

Sure start also needed decades to make fundamental changes to childrens lives, it wasnt magic and needed to be given a chance to make mistakes, refine support etc. You are often unpicking issues across many generations, people want easy solutions unfortunately.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:57:01

ronib

Well the beauty of the Dutch system is that all mothers can access support and six weeks is a long time to wait when in crisis. Help given in the first 8 days makes much better sense.
I am surprised that Angela Rayner isn’t looking into this type of intervention or perhaps she is?

But you see, we used to have that sort of help in the U.K. - as far as we are concerned the Dutch are reinventing the wheel. After giving birth to my children, I was visited by the local midwife for 10 days I think and after there were weekly meetings in the local health centre, where mums could get advice, help and support if necessary. If mums failed to turn up at the weekly meetings, the nurse knew enough about her mums to know who might be in difficulties etc, and pay them a visit or speak to them in the road etc.

Trashed by the Tories.

ronib Thu 26-Oct-23 13:20:51

Wwwm2 the Dutch system gives much more hands on care to include help with household chores as well as breastfeeding advice. A full 8 hours in house. It must be very reassuring for new mothers especially if needing to recuperate from the birth. Goes beyond the UK’s provision, Tory or Labour.

growstuff Thu 26-Oct-23 13:23:36

ronib

Wwwm2 the Dutch system gives much more hands on care to include help with household chores as well as breastfeeding advice. A full 8 hours in house. It must be very reassuring for new mothers especially if needing to recuperate from the birth. Goes beyond the UK’s provision, Tory or Labour.

Sorry, but having somebody in the house for 8 hours was the absolute last thing I wanted/needed after giving birth (and I had two c sections).

Luckygirl3 Thu 26-Oct-23 13:26:42

Where are the government policies to narrow the wealth gap in the UK, to ensure health equality, education equality and safeguard the well-being of the poor?

growstuff Thu 26-Oct-23 13:27:42

Whitewavemark2

😄 no but it did give long term and professional support to families in difficulties or where there was poor parenting.

I have no doubt that Holland, as well as giving the sort of support that used to be common place in the U.K. immediately after birth, also has long term plan for pre-primary school children and parents.

You seem to be blaming poor parenting for children being destitute. In my experience, that isn't always the case. Families and children become destitute for all sorts of reasons long after the children are born, despite the best efforts of parents (or parent).

ronib Thu 26-Oct-23 13:43:42

Growstuff just because you had support after two C sections, doesn’t mean all families do. It could be up to individuals to decide on support packages?
I was told too that mothers in Holland go back to work after maternity leave of three months so perhaps the Uk is kinder in that sense?

Joseann Thu 26-Oct-23 14:34:41

I think there are 3 main reasons for child destitution as it is being referred to.
1. Being raised in a low income family
2. Living in poor housing
3. Several children, 5 or more, living in a one parent family
None of these on their own is totally responsible for deprivation, and on their own could be overcome, but added together en masse they are disastrous as has been proven to be the case. I would guesstimate that maybe 4 in every classroom are in this category.
I agree with the poster who said there needs to be for more support.

Joseann Thu 26-Oct-23 14:35:36

*far not for

GrannyGravy13 Thu 26-Oct-23 14:42:57

Whitewavemark2 I have just done a quick online search regarding Sure Start Centres, one in three have been closed not all of them.

There are definitely some in Essex, some under the heading of Family Centres.

Joseann Thu 26-Oct-23 14:47:49

Yes, there are Children's Centres in Redbridge where DD2 lives.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 26-Oct-23 15:03:57

growstuff

Whitewavemark2

😄 no but it did give long term and professional support to families in difficulties or where there was poor parenting.

I have no doubt that Holland, as well as giving the sort of support that used to be common place in the U.K. immediately after birth, also has long term plan for pre-primary school children and parents.

You seem to be blaming poor parenting for children being destitute. In my experience, that isn't always the case. Families and children become destitute for all sorts of reasons long after the children are born, despite the best efforts of parents (or parent).

No that is wrong. I was looking at the wider issue. Poor parenting covered both wealthy and poor parents. Indeed stats show that there is a similar level in all income levels.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 26-Oct-23 15:05:20

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2 I have just done a quick online search regarding Sure Start Centres, one in three have been closed not all of them.

There are definitely some in Essex, some under the heading of Family Centres.

Oh yes - but my point is that they were neither extended nor developed. The concept stopped with Cameron.

ronib Thu 26-Oct-23 15:07:19

Joseann interesting that you have not considered the impact of mental illness on family life. Not just you of course … but the majority of politicians who speak around the subject. Also impact of being a child Carer …..

GrannyGravy13 Thu 26-Oct-23 15:13:29

Whitewavemark2

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2 I have just done a quick online search regarding Sure Start Centres, one in three have been closed not all of them.

There are definitely some in Essex, some under the heading of Family Centres.

Oh yes - but my point is that they were neither extended nor developed. The concept stopped with Cameron.

It varies from area to area, the centre closest to me starts from pre-natal care, has a nursery attached along with being next to the local primary school.

Not sure who mentioned midwives visiting once mums and new babies are released from hospital, they still do in this area up to date 10, along with regular visits from Health Visitor. During Covid the Health Visitors rang and would only visit if there were any problems.

It seems that there needs to be more information given out at GP’s when women first find out they are pregnant. The services are around but not every new mum is aware of them, and in all probability those who could benefit the most are not accessing them.

Joseann Thu 26-Oct-23 15:17:06

Quite probably ronib but 1 - 3 are what I consider the main social disadvantages, without underestimating other factors. 4 ,5, and 6 could undoubtedly move on to additional hardships. I'm no politician, but starting in a practical order would be my plan.

Galaxy Thu 26-Oct-23 15:36:05

I think I agree Joseann. And people who object to the third being mentioned tend to be doing so from the safety of a two parent household. It's an absolute disaster for women and children.

growstuff Thu 26-Oct-23 15:41:12

Whitewavemark2

growstuff

Whitewavemark2

😄 no but it did give long term and professional support to families in difficulties or where there was poor parenting.

I have no doubt that Holland, as well as giving the sort of support that used to be common place in the U.K. immediately after birth, also has long term plan for pre-primary school children and parents.

You seem to be blaming poor parenting for children being destitute. In my experience, that isn't always the case. Families and children become destitute for all sorts of reasons long after the children are born, despite the best efforts of parents (or parent).

No that is wrong. I was looking at the wider issue. Poor parenting covered both wealthy and poor parents. Indeed stats show that there is a similar level in all income levels.

But in many cases deprivation isn't caused by poor parenting - it's caused by lack of money. Parents could go to any number of parenting classes, but it wouldn't improve the state of their bank accounts.

growstuff Thu 26-Oct-23 15:42:32

Joseann

Yes, there are Children's Centres in Redbridge where DD2 lives.

Redbridge isn't in Essex any more.