Family Action not only works directly with families facing hardship, poverty and exclusion, we are committed to using our experience as a frontline service provider to campaign for change that will benefit other families in similar situations.
Family Action’s policy and campaigns unit works to influence policy and practice to improve the lives of vulnerable families. Drawing on the experiences and expertise of our staff, as well as the thousands of families who use our services, we respond to government consultations, initiatives and legislation, often working with other charities to make our voice stronger. We also:
This section of the website contains more information on our policy and campaigning work including a selection of policy briefings and consultation responses. New research and briefing papers will be added to these pages as they are developed.
Select inquiry into Sure StartThe Select Committee on Children Schools and Families is currently holding an inquiry into children’s centres and associated services, to which Family Action has been giving evidence. Read the Family Action submission and those of other organisations.
Domestic AbuseIn recent years domestic violence has been the subject of considerable research and Government policy but despite this there has been little recognition of the financial impact of leaving a violent partner. In 2008 Family Action, working together with Gingerbread, set out to address this by undertaking a research project among women who had experienced domestic violence to examine these issues in more depth. The research reveals the extent to which financial abuse is an aspect of domestic violence and finds that domestic violence has long term effects on women’s financial position including debt, poverty, financial capability and problems with accessing paid work.
Download our new report on the Financial Impact of Domestic Abuse.
Read more about the services we provide for families affected by domestic abuse.
The Poverty PremiumIt has long been recognised that people experiencing poverty face a range of social penalties – including stigma, exclusion and low status; but there has been little acknowledgement of the financial penalties that exist, and result in poor families paying more for a range of basic essentials. This report examines the financial penalties borne by low income families and outlines seven steps to eradicate the poverty premium.
Our latest report illustrates the ‘Christmas Poverty Premium’ that poor families face at this time of year. You can read the report here.
Download a copy of the Poverty Premium.
Reform of the Social FundFamily Action is campaigning for reform of the Social Fund. We want to see a more flexible and accessible Social Fund that is available when needed for families on low incomes, and which can help prevent the increasing spirals of debt which exacerbate financial and social exclusion. Read more about our work on this here.
End Child PovertyFamily Action is a founder member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, a coalition of organisations including charities, faith groups, trades unions and public sector bodies campaigning to ensure that the goal of eradicating child poverty becomes a reality. Visit the End Child Poverty website to find out more: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
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