The sharp rise in the cost of living has put pressure on the finances of millions of families. This could impact the health and wellbeing of children and adults, particularly those living in deprived areas and from minoritised groups.
Recent government reports and an independent review of children’s social care have accepted the importance of socio-economic factors as a driver of child safeguarding interventions. However, policies that address risks to children by improving material and socio-economic circumstances are rare, and their impact is not often evaluated.
This research, led by Kingston University in collaboration with NCB, Policy in Practice and the University of Sussex will use linked social care and benefits data to examine :
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The dynamic effects of changes in household income and the cost-of-living on financial precarity and child welfare provision.
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The impact of the 2020-21 Universal Credit uplift on financial precarity, referrals to children’s social care, and subsequent interventions.
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Investigate stakeholders’ experiences of the relationship between financial precarity and child welfare, and their views about the ethical use of data to improve policy and service response.
The research is being carried out in collaboration with six English local authorities from 2024 to late 2025 with funding from the Nuffield Foundation.
Outputs from the project will be directed at:
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Local authority social workers and managers in children’s social care
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Relevant networks and associations
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Policy makers in government departments, charities and third sector organisations
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Organisations representing potential and actual services users.
Recruitment for online focus groups now open
NCB and the University of Sussex are recruiting young people (aged 13 to 25) and parents/carers to take part in online focus groups in Summer 2024 and Spring 2025. We are seeking those with experience of living in a family accessing universal credit (or one of the benefits replaced) and who have had a social worker. Please click here for more information and to sign up.
NCB family member, Research in Practice, will also be working with the University of Sussex undertaking focus groups with professionals and service managers.