The Family Finances Key Workers Approach was created in response to the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017. The act set a statutory duty to reduce the proportion of children living in child poverty by 2030. The delivery of the project is underpinned by the approach set out in the Scottish Government’s third child poverty delivery plan ‘Bringing Hope, Building Futures: Tackling child poverty delivery plan 2026- 2031’.
At a local level the project contributes to outcomes set out in Glasgow City Council’s Child Poverty Action plan.
Effective engagement is key to the success of the Family Finances team. Key Workers are adept at using a diverse mix of engagement methods, from traditional face to face engagement at places and spaces the parents attend such as the school gates and local community hubs and events, to linking effectively with neighbourhood organisations and the use of digital channels for promotion and engagement.
One of the project’s key strengths is its ability to understand and respond to what matters most to the families it supports. A recent example of this was the ‘Back to School’ events delivered in partnership with primary schools in Govanhill. The events provided a range of free back-to-school essentials, including school uniforms, haircuts, and food, all made possible through donated goods and services.
The events also featured activity stalls that provided advice on important topics including ‘good toothbrushing’ with free dental hygiene products.
Parents received hands-on support to apply for free school meals, school clothing grants and employability advice from services partners. Translators were also on hand, as the families are mainly minority ethnic with a high percentage who do not speak English as their first language.
The events were a fantastic success, with over 240 families attending, and 92 new registrations for the Key Workers.
Over 1,200 items of school clothing were distributed, and 72 children received free haircuts. The impact of these initiatives has been significant.
Headteachers from both schools reported a noticeable increase in attendance on the first day of term, alongside a record number of children arriving in full school uniform. While this support may seem simple, it has had a meaningful effect, helping families ensure their children start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Beyond the figures set out below, the project has had a life changing impact on our participants but also our communities – by increasing household income removal of employment barriers, reduction of mental stress and better health and wellbeing, increased attainment of the children of the parents we support – evidence by individual case studies, closer partnership working, community cohesion – as evidenced by the support provided by local business to the return to school event.
Of the 598 parents supported in 2025-26:
•74% were BME
•52% were lone parents (RISE ON LAST QUARTER)
•21 % had a disability.
•19% had a child in the household with a disability. (RISE ON LAST QUARTER)
•10% had a child under the age of 25.
•13% has a child under the age of 1 (mostly SMCA and dads)
•23% had 3+ children.
• Paths to sustainable delivery and/or potential to scale (10 points)
The programme is funded by Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government – highlighted as good practice by both funders and used as part of a promotional campaign by the Scottish Government, the Key Worker approach aligns to Glasgow’s Just Transition and Glasgow
Futures Skills and Employability programme as well as making a significant contribution to the city’s Child Poverty Action Plan outcomes.
Costs are kept to a minimum by delivering in Glasgow Life neighbourhood libraries and local partner venues and levers support from existing city and local grassroots organisations. By combining employability and financial capability and taking a whole family approach, the programme addresses root causes and not just temporary solutions.
