More than a third of low income families struggle to access support
By Rachel Lawler
A new report from Action for Children shows that more than a third of low income families are struggling to access early years support. According to a survey conducted by the charity, parents with a low income are 40% more likely to have difficulty accessing early support compared to high income families.
The survey found that 42% of parents with children under five had struggled to, or been unable to access support services in the past five years. Almost a quarter had been completely unable to access at least one service, with Black, Asian and minority ethnic parents, younger parents and fathers more likely to have faced difficulty accessing services.
The charity has called on the next Prime Minister to ensure that all families have access to early years services in their local area as part of the 鈥榣evelling up鈥 plans.
The survey also found that 66% of parents wanted more support, with the rising cost of living already taking a toll as those who were not in walking distance of services cited the cost of petrol or public transport as their biggest barrier.
Rossanna Trudgian, head of campaigns and public affairs at Action for Children, said: 鈥淓very child deserves a chance at having the best start in life, that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e worried that disadvantaged children are being denied access to the services that allow them to catch up and level up for when they start school.
鈥淲e urge the next Prime Minister to take urgent action to deliver a long-term plan for early years services with sustained investment in parenting support to ensure every child gets the foundations they need to thrive.鈥
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Alliance, added: 鈥淣ow more than ever, amid rocketing energy prices and soaring inflation, children and their families need support. For all the government rhetoric on 鈥榗losing the gap鈥, 鈥榠mproving life chances鈥 and 鈥榣evelling up鈥, words alone are not enough to change the outlook for low-income families. If ministers are genuinely committed to ensuring that children and families are able to access the early support they need, they must invest in the services that deliver this.
鈥淎ll families, regardless of their background or circumstances should be able to access high-quality support and early education 鈥 and there is a wealth of research that shows just how significant an impact these services can have on children鈥檚 futures. But without proper funding, this is an impossible task. How much worse does the situation need to get for the government to sit up, listen and take action?鈥