KEY CHANGE WORKSHOPIncome Maximisation

Early Years Collaborative: Learning Session 4

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES• Build a common understanding of the operational definition

of this key change area.• Present emerging learning in this key change area, including

both evidence base and new learning that will advance our knowledge in this area.

• Introduce concept and opportunity of a “Pioneer Site”• Discuss current or potential work within your CPP in this

area and generate themes across CPPs.• Brainstorm change ideas to bring for discussion with your

CPP colleagues during the end of day CPP Planning Session.• Have fun!

SOME IMPORTANT NOTES• All feedback will be gathered after the session

by the Early Years Collaborative team and made available on the Extranet.

• Our discussions today are about learning, not about performance, so sharing your challenges and failures can be just as important as sharing your wins and successes.

MEETING NORMS REFRESH• Suspend judgment as best you can.• Respect one another.• Seek to understand rather than persuade.• Invite and honour diverse opinions.• Speak what has personal heart and meaning.• Go for honesty without going on and on and

on.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION • One in four children were classed as being

‘persistently poor’ during their first four years of the their lives. (Growing up in Scotland (2010): The circumstances of persistently poor children

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/04/26095519/0 )

 • The ultimate aim of this key change is to break inter-

generational cycles of poverty, inequality and deprivation

 • Therefore, maximising incomes can bring some

families out of persistent poverty

Tackling Child Poverty

Structural changes in the environment

Reducing price barriers

Legislative controls

Fiscal policies

Income support

Intensive support to most

vulnerable

Starting young

Improving accessibility of services

Societal inequalities

Changes to Welfare Reform

• Introduction of universal credit

• Introduction of size criteria for tenants claiming housing benefit (aka

‘the bedroom tax’)

• A cap on benefits that can be received

• Changes to Disability Living Allowance

• Changes to child benefit

• Health in pregnancy grant abolished

• Changes to tax credits

Key Change – Income MaximisationChange areas for improvement:

• Welfare benefits maximisation

• Money and debt advice

• Financial capability and management support

• Awareness and provision of banking services

• Affordable credit

Resource: http://www.maternal-and-early-years.org.uk/supporting-community-planning-partnerships-in-maximising-income-for-pregnant-women-and-families-with-children-under-5-2

What are you trying to accomplish?

•During pregnancy: reduced stress, improved health, diet & wellbeing-positive pregnancies-improved infant health

•From birth to starting school-reduction in child poverty-child poverty has negative impact on child’s diet, health and development-improve chances of meeting developmental milestones at 27-30 months and at primary school

Income Maximisation in the Early Years

Five key change areas •Healthy Start Vouchers & vitamins

•Maternity Grant

•Benefits check

•Employment rights

•Childcare

Income Maximisation in the Early Years

BECOMING A “PIONEER SITE” IN THIS AREA• A Pioneer Site is an area (specific geographical

location, nursery, clinic, school, community centre etc.) that has:1. The local will and interest to work on this important issue with

their community.2. Leadership support to be the CPP’s Pioneer Site for this issue. 3. Adequate resourcing to do the work required for testing in this

area.4. Some existing work in this area.5. Willingness to share their data and learning with the

Collaborative, warts and all!

CURRENT WORK IN THIS TOPIC AREA • STEP ONE: With your table, reflect on what

you are doing within your CPP, or could do in this area:– Who are individuals and/or teams currently

working on in this area? What are they doing? Be as specific as possible.

– Be sure to generate as many ideas as you can and write each idea on a post-it note.

CURRENT WORK IN THIS TOPIC AREA

• STEP TWO: Reflect on your ideas and identify emerging themes from your table.– Write the 3-5 largest themes on post-it

notes and bring to the front of the room.– Facilitators will review all table themes to

find the top 5 themes from the room.

REPORT OUT

• What surprised you in your discussions?• Are there any immediate ideas you want

to take back to your home team given what you discussed?

THEMES FROM THE ROOM• PLEASE INSERT HERE (DURING SESSION):

– Top 5 emerging themes based upon facilitator themes from tables.

THEMES FROM THE ROOM

• With your table, review top 5 themes from the room on wall posters:– Discuss with your table where your specific

idea post-it notes might be placed within each of the 5 themes.

– Designate 1-2 people to place specific post-its on poster paper.

FINAL REFLECTIONS

• What are 5 change ideas you could work with in your community you can bring to your CPP planning meeting?

PARTING THOUGHTS

• We need Pioneer Sites!• Remember, a Pioneer Site has the will and

interest, the leadership support, some existing work in this area, resources (people) to adequately do the work, and a willingness to share their data and progress.

Do you think your CPP could be a Pioneer Site? Express interest with one of your facilitators and the EYC team will follow up to explore

this opportunity with you.

THANKS FOR A GREAT SESSION!