The West of England’s new Child Poverty Partnership Board met for the first time recently, bringing together organisations from across the region to turn shared ambition into regional action on tackling child poverty.
Members of the board discussed the ambitions set out in the Child Poverty Action Plan to pull every lever available to the combined authority and regional partners in four priority areas: reducing the cost of living for families, supporting children to grow, learn and thrive, connecting young people to opportunities and services, and pioneering new approaches for children and families.
The board, which is made up of key stakeholders from across education, the voluntary sector, local government, health and police, will meet quarterly to track the progress and delivery of the Child Poverty Action Plan. They will also explore investment opportunities and new funding sources; consider shared data and evidence; and provide a clear forum for partners to raise issues that the Mayor can champion with government.