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Core aim 6: children have a safe home and community which supports physical and emotional wellbeing. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) articles 9, 11,16 ,23, 33 19, 20, 25, 27, 32 – 35, 37 & 40) requires that the State Party (or Government) ensures children are properly cared for inside and outside the home. Children must be able to move freely in their communities and be protected from violence, abuse and neglect, as well as having their religion, culture and language respected. Children’s rights need to be recognised by parents and the wider community as a way of supporting children and encouraging their physical and emotional development.
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Article 27 of the UNCRC states that: “Children have a right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and mental needs”. Bad housing damages children’s wellbeing and magnifies other aspects of poverty. The condition of a child’s home can cause ill health, lower educational attainment and contribute to behavioural problems. Child poverty is linked to experiences of overcrowded housing conditions, homelessness, temporary accommodation and neighbourhoods that suffer social exclusion and these can impact negatively on children’s wellbeing.
Role of local government and partners
Local authorities have a duty to promote well being. To achieve this it is necessary to work in partnership to reduce child poverty. Local action driven forward by the local community safety plans, children and young people’s plans and health, social care and wellbeing plans can help reduce child poverty and its damaging impacts. This core aim includes increasing the affordable housing (to rent or buy), improving financial inclusion to reduce arrears, targeting worklessness within social housing, improving benefits administration, tackling fuel poverty and reducing childhood accidents in the home and community.
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