Council chiefs have outlined a raft of initiatives in a bid to target increasing child poverty in West Dunbartonshire.
The different sources of assistance are detailed in the Local Child Poverty Report, which every council in Scotland produces annually.
This year’s document details the challenges faced in the area, as well as providing practical signposts for support so families who need help can access it quickly and easily.
Last week, the Lennox Herald reported how almost 450 more children in West Dunbartonshire have been plunged into poverty.
Figures by End Child Poverty in 2018/19 show 27.4 per ent of children were living in impoverished households – compared to 24.6 percent four years earlier.
Councillor Diane Docherty, convener of housing and communities, said: “Poverty is the reality of life for too many children and we are committed to changing this for as many in West Dunbartonshire as we can.
“This report is more than a list of good intentions, it is a working document for individuals and organisations seeking to improve the quality of life for families in West Dunbartonshire.
“The expectation is that by providing this as a key reference document we will raise awareness of available services and their aims and actions, we will provide contact details and links to further information and we will encourage partnership working between these services. Working together we can make a real difference.”
The report highlights a number of ways in which parents, children and carers can access support to either prevent or move out of poverty including the Working 4 Parents initiative. The scheme helps parents with financial awareness, debt management, benefit maximisation and fuel and food poverty initiatives.
Another initiative, the Oot Scoot and Aboot programme works to address barriers from fully participating in community and social life by supporting them with personal and social development.
The council also operates a social benefit programme which ensures any projects undertaken by contractors in the area must include a scheme to benefit the local community.
