Developing a local child poverty action report: guidance

LCPAR statutory requirements

The Act requires Local Authorities and Health Boards to jointly prepare a LCPAR, “as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each reporting year” (i.e. after 31 March).

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 requires that Local Child Poverty Acton Reports must include the following:

Measures taken

• describe any measures taken in the area of the local authority during the reporting year by the local authority and health board for the purpose of contributing to meeting the child poverty targets

Proposed measures

• describe any measures that the local authority/health board proposes to take for the purpose of contributing to meeting the targets

Income maximisation

• describe any income maximisation measures taken in the area of the local authority during the reporting year to provide pregnant women and families with children with information/advice/assistance about eligibility for financial support and assistance to apply for financial support

Protected characteristics

• describe any measures taken during the reporting year, or which are proposed to be taken, in the area in relation to children living in households whose income is adversely affected, or whose expenditure is increased, because a member of the household has one or more protected characteristics

Beyond the statutory requirements set out above, the content, process and structure of local child poverty action reporting are at the discretion of local authorities and health boards.

Purpose of LCPARs

Aims and objectives of LCPARs include:

• to provide evidence of local progress on child poverty
• to identify and share good practice
• to identify potential areas for development/improvement
• to inform development of future work/priorities at local and national level
• to promote partnership working and awareness of child poverty strategy at local level