Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Research, data and evaluation
• Digital and technology
• Child Poverty Index
• Quantitative tool
• Child poverty

Aim

The aim of the Scottish Borders Child Poverty Index is to use a range of data to provide schools and other partners with a more detailed understanding of child poverty in local communities.

Summary

The Scottish Borders Child Poverty Index (SB CPI) is a quantitative tool used as a proxy for understanding the level of child poverty within the Scottish Borders. The index gives an indication of the level of child poverty in an area (data zone) based on a combination of two components: proportion of children in low-income families and proportion of pupils in receipt of school clothing grant. The SB CPI was also created to work alongside the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. SIMD provides a way of looking at deprivation in an area, covering the whole population and does not specifically reflect child poverty. The data monitors fluctuations in child poverty and provides context for council services.

What difference does it make?

There is now a greater understanding of the number of children living in poverty and the level of poverty they are experiencing in the Scottish Borders. Data on child poverty in the area has been made known to council services which has informed decision-making. For instance, the Council now knows where Pupil Equity Funding should be distributed. Data has also revealed that child poverty persists, even in affluent areas.

Key take-aways

• Quantitative data on child poverty is needed to accurately inform council decision-making and support.
• Child poverty exists throughout councils, even in affluent areas.
• Previously used data, such as the number of free school meals distributed, are not always reliable indicators of child poverty.

 

Organisations

Scottish Borders Council

Location

Scottish Borders (throughout)

The project started in 2017, and was revised in November 2023.

Contact