Education and early years professionals across Sefton are being encouraged to sign up for free accredited training to help ensure no child is disadvantaged by poverty.

Accredited

The Accredited Poverty Awareness Training is being delivered online through Children North East's nationally recognised Poverty Proofing programme. It is available free of charge to school staff, early years professionals and anyone involved in educating or supporting children and families.

There are two upcoming sessions from which colleagues can choose:

• Wednesday 18th November 6pm-7pm
  
  
• Wednesday 25th November 3.30pm- 4.30pm 
  
  

Deeper understanding

The Level 1 accredited course will help participants develop a deeper understanding of poverty and the impact it can have on children, young people and their families.

The training draws on learning from schools and early years settings that have already been "Poverty Proofed". It explores practical ways to reduce stigma, improve participation and remove barriers to learning and development.

Inclusion and equality of opportunity

The session also supports wider work around disadvantage, inclusion and equality of opportunity. And it helps settings ensure that all children can access the opportunities available to them, regardless of family income.

During the one-hour online course, participants will explore:

• What poverty is and the different ways it can affect families
• The causes and consequences of poverty
• The impact of poverty on children's educational outcomes
• How school and early years policies and practices can unintentionally create barriers for children experiencing poverty
• Learning and good practice from Poverty Proofed schools

Reducing stigma and improving inclusion

The online training is aimed at all Sefton school staff and early years colleagues as well as anyone who works with or supports children and families. It will encourage informed discussion about how settings can better support children and families while reducing stigma and improving inclusion.

Those interested are encouraged to book their place on one of the sessions early and join the growing number of professionals taking action to ensure that no child misses out because of poverty.

Potential

Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow and achieve their potential, regardless of their family's circumstances.

“We know that poverty can create barriers for children and young people, but by better understanding those challenges we can work together to remove them.

"This training offers practical insight and ideas that can make a real difference in schools and early years settings across Sefton. I would encourage teachers, support staff, early years practitioners and anyone working with children and families to sign up.”

Ensure no child is disadvantaged 

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said: "This training is a chance to join the growing number of people in Sefton taking action to ensure no child is disadvantaged by poverty.

“Together, we can help create learning environments where every child feels included, supported and able to thrive."

Over 30 Sefton schools have now taken part in the Poverty Proofing the School Day© and workshop programme.  Poverty Proofing the School Day© involves schools working with families and pupils to identify and remove everyday costs that can create barriers. Additionally, leaders from 11 of Sefton’s Early Years’ settings recently took part in training to help reduce financial pressures on parents and carers.

Initiative is making a difference

In Sefton, the initiative is already making a difference, with schools introducing more flexible uniform options and helping children access trips and activities, Reducing costs in this way can help cut the stress or embarrassment to pupils and ways for families to ask for help have also been put in place.

The programme is built on the simple idea that no part of the school day should make a child feel different because of their family’s financial situation.