nap conf summary 0707

Working Together to Reduce Poverty and Inequality University of Warwick6th July 2007: 

Working Together to Reduce Poverty and Inequality University of Warwick 6th July 2007 Summing up HUGH FRAZER National University of Ireland, Maynooth

General comments: 

General comments Congratulations well prepared by both government and NGOs worked very hard and very productively in short time impressive level of cross departmental participation very rich content an important step forward Learning through experience courage of people sharing personal experience care and passion for other people’s problems conference a good way for policy makers to learn from experience of those experiencing poverty opportunity for government departments to gain experience Reinforced the importance of: Listening being open and non defensive Dialogue complexity of some problems

Poverty in the UK: 

Poverty in the UK Progress over 10 years e.g. improved support for adult disabled to participate - some regeneration projects (Tower Hamlets) - some local strategic partnerships (Reading partnership) – support for children with special needs - improved child care - minimum wage – community training/employment initiatives (Action Community Employment in Northern Ireland) – health visitors (Glasgow) – Community First and Good Way project (Wales) Poverty still a harsh reality for too many personal testimonies link to inequality “It isn’t acceptable in the 21st century and in modern day Britain” Lack of awareness and understanding effective communication Ethnic minorities, refugees and asylum seekers discrimination

Recurring themes: overall approach: 

Recurring themes: overall approach Holistic – comprehensive - joined up approach (supporting families - regenerating communities - tackling crime- education – support in work – benefits and work) both policy development and delivery Prevention balance universal and targeted early intervention Rights Ethnic minorities, refugees and asylum seekers discrimination

Recurring themes: empowerment - partnership - participation: 

Recurring themes: empowerment - partnership - participation Empowering people and communities importance of community involvement (e.g. in tackling crime; in community regeneration; evaluate across 4 nations) Effective consultation resource it consult with all & don’t ignore hard to reach (LGAs) Importance of partnership involves trust and information sharing Importance of community and voluntary organisations long term sustainable funding for community groups more recognition of value of voluntary work to the individual and the community

Recurring themes:better delivery: 

Recurring themes: better delivery The gap between policy and reality - intention and delivery Benefits and entitlements Information gaps Respect value people avoid stigmatising (families, children in school) training and retaining staff (police, social services, teachers) Flexible and tailored approach Choice Urban – rural differences Learn from good practice

Families: 

Families Prevention and early intervention Don’t only focus on families with multiple needs – also those on the margin More proactive social services and better information More family conference centres Whole family approach Support for men Support for refugee and asylum seeker families Home - school links engage parents more in education More resources for home link workers More support to families when children or adolescents are leaving care Need for Social Exclusion Task Force to look at how different communities represented in bottom 2-3% Housing critical Reassess how housing benefit administered Regulate private landlords and information to their tenants (also relevant to community regeneration) Mortgage support More social housing and ring fence money from sales Better repairs

Communities: 

Communities Mixed communities approach Varied views - Need to guarantee participation - Monitor Very varied experiences Learn from successful regeneration Well paid quality work but also a comprehensive approach Good Services (transport, education, health, social services) Resources needed to increase quality and availability of housing stock (incl. social housing) Enable people to achieve their aspirations Involve planners so comprehensive approach Regulate landlords: stop exploitation – esp. refugees/asylum seekers Places for communities to get together and kids to hang out Places for pensioners – counter isolation

Crime and policing: 

Crime and policing Link with poverty and deprivation Anti-social behaviour is a symptom of poverty Prevention and opportunity Danger of tarring young people Support not criminalise young people More youth work and facilities Don’t forget the well-behaved poor kids More education use people who have had drug or alcohol problems in schools More education and skills development in prisons More engagement Adopt a cop Police on the street but trained for “softer” approach Closer social services and police cooperation Treat causes not symptoms Activities for children – especially 14-18s – that build self esteem and support parents Whole package of measures – whole community approach Community police and community support officers make a difference (but don’t clock off at 5 or 10)

Education and Skills: 

Education and Skills “do I have to be bad to get something” Ask the mums about primary school and the kids about secondary Detention of children whose parents are newcomers, asylum seekers refugees more discretion to schools to support these children Additional costs leading to exclusion or self exclusion Education is free but . . . . . . . . (e.g. trainers – school trips – uniform – food for home economics) compulsory contingency fund for parents – uniform grants Avoid stigma (e.g. school meals) More after-school activities and in holidays Poverty awareness training for teachers Importance of lifelong learning

Benefits & Work: 

Benefits & Work Problem of low rates – base support on average earnings Importance of voluntary work can be more meaningful than a bad job don’t force people into poor jobs Help people into work not harrass them into work Incentives to work – make work pay Poor delivery processes too slow (seasonal and casual workers), cumbersome and complex one form/single claim system to avoid delays more flexibility more inter-agency cooperation more staff training use community organisations more to support people Allow asylum seekers to work Specific schemes Disability Living Allowance and how it relates to other benefits Disregard carers allowance as income – “care for the carers” Reduction in child maintenance grants (£1,000-£250) Child benefit rates too low Make lone parent fathers pay Publicise that Child Support Agency payments are not means tested

Support in Work: 

Support in Work Inadequate information about tax credits and ropy system continuing fall out from over payments improve and simplify forms give examples people can relate to share training and information across departments involve community groups HMRC come out of offices train disabled staff to support people with disabilities through the system use libraries and job centre plus more continuity of staff and build relationships More information about elements for disabled people working part-time and single people Unrealistic tax credit assessments tax credits look at gross and should take into account what people actually have to spend greater flexibility and “tailoring” of system single under-25s with no child can’t access tax credit child care element not taken into account for large families Fraud is focussed on too much Counter exploitation enforce minimum wage informal work - make employers responsible

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Better communication Value of the European dimension Mutual learning (two-way) PROGRESS Model for other countries EAPN Repeat the event