Children and young people living in poverty: COVID-19 needs and policy implications

This project addresses the UK's serious knowledge gap in understanding the needs of children and young people (CYP) aged 5-18 living in poverty in the context of Covid19. A North East(NE) regional analysis is required urgently to inform policy decisions being taken quickly without real understanding of lived experiences of poverty. This project will enable policy to consider how best to address children's social, emotional, physical and educational needs. This project that puts CYP's voice at its centre is co-designed and co-delivered by researchers from Newcastle University's Centre for Learning and Teaching and the charity Children North East (CNE). The long-standing reputation CNE has built upon by providing support during lockdown will ensure high engagement by families in the research, and an extensive reach through networks will enable policymakers to make timely use of findings. CYP will be invited to communicate experiences and needs in a format of their choice (writing, picture, photo) and we anticipate a sample of 1500. 500 CYP will be consulted in more depth (face to face/online interviews/focus groups). Twenty interviews with organisations working with CYP will triangulate findings. We will investigate and compare organisational response to CYP living in poverty. Case studies of practice and policy change will be shared nationally as good practice examples. Our regional and national networks will ensure quick and effective dissemination of findings. Outputs from the project include two academic articles, three research reports, two linked policy workshops/webinars, a policy brief, a series of short comics, and an animated video.