In New South Wales, 13.8% of children under the age of 15 are experiencing poverty – a rate higher than any other mainland state. Almost 1 in 7 children live in households below the poverty line.
Children and young people who experience poverty and disadvantage are more likely to have health and behavioural problems, experience housing and food insecurity, and not achieve at school. These childhood experiences have an impact across the entire life course, shaping their employment prospects, their health outcomes and wellbeing.
There are many causes of poverty. Unemployment and underemployment, jobs shortages, poor health, disability, dysfunction within a family, as well as the effects of racism and other forms of discrimination, can all contribute.
But whatever causes a child to experience poverty, that child is not responsible.
Whatever causes a child to experience poverty, it shouldn’t determine their life chances.
The NCOSS 1 in 7 campaign outlines five steps the NSW Government could take to make a very real difference to the life chances of children and young people experiencing poverty and disadvantage.
- Invest an additional $25 million per year in the state-wide roll-out of a nurse-led home visiting program for vulnerable families during the first two years of a child’s life.
- Increase investment in early childhood education and care (ECEC) so that all children experience a quality early education from the age of three. As a first step, the NSW Government should increase funding from $193 per child to $600 per child, bringing NSW into line with other States.
- Invest $3.2 million in a Healthy Eating: Healthy Living Schools Fund to support schools in specific locations fund programs such as school breakfasts and other healthy food initiatives.
- Invest an additional $15 million per annum in activities and programs that ensure children and young people are connected to their families and communities.
- Ensure children, young people and their families can access affordable housing by investing an extra $711 million to increase social and affordable housing stock in NSW, reduce homelessness and properly maintain existing housing stock.
Get in touch with your local MP today and make it clear you support the NCOSS 1 in 7 campaign and want the NSW Government to take action to support children experiencing poverty in this state.