Rita Waters, NYAS Group CEO, said: “While we welcome today’s announcement, children and families living in, or at risk of, poverty cannot wait any longer for change. While strategies are positive and reassuring to see, they cannot have real or transformative impact unless accompanied by immediate action and policy that is translated into person-centred, meaningful and equally accessible practice across the UK. We hope the government recognises this immediate urgency in their delivery approach.”
NYAS has welcomed the publication of the Child Poverty Strategy for the UK. Child poverty is one of the greatest threats to the rights of children and young people; it prevents children and young people from accessing opportunities and having their best start to life. From our advocacy provision and services across England and Wales, we have seen firsthand how poverty impacts millions of children and families, so we are pleased to see the government's commitment to lift 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030.
We know that there is a distinctive link between poverty and the care system, both as a reason for children entering care, and care leavers leaving the system only to face poverty as they enter adulthood. As the government delivers this strategy, more attention must be given to addressing the interconnection between poverty and the care system to ensure that care does not become respite from poverty, nor does any young person leave care to enter poverty.
NYAS will always be on the side of the child, and we are ready to work with the sector, and UK and Welsh Government, to truly end child poverty across the UK.
If you are a young person in or leaving care and need advice or support our free Helpline is here to help. Call us on 0808 808 1001.
