A SUMMIT to discuss child poverty took place at Devizes School on Tuesday, November 21, where 89 professionals from a variety of sectors and localities discussed child poverty in the country, and the work being done to help reduce it.

On Tuesday, November 21, The Wiltshire Child Poverty Summit, organised by Wiltshire Council and endorsed by the Wiltshire Safeguarding Board, provided an opportunity to update the community on the progress made in implementing Wiltshire’s Child Poverty Strategy and to discuss what else can be done going forward.

The strategy was developed in 2014 to narrow the educational attainment gap, provide support to vulnerable families with young children, and develop an inclusive economy.

Pauline Church, Wiltshire Council portfolio older for children’s safeguarding, and chair of the summit, said: “It was clear from the big attendance and discussions that people are passionate and committed about tackling this issue.

“There are pockets of deprivation in this county that we are determined to turn around, and we have a robust plan in place to help us.

“Change won’t happen overnight but we’ll continue to work together with our partners and ensure families get the support some desperately need.”

A significant part of the strategy has been to develop and communicate child poverty community area profiles, to allow communities to do more to tackle child poverty.

Children from Devizes School were also invited to discuss the issue, and during the summit, Dr Ceri Brown, from Bath University spoke about the educational binds of poverty.

As a result of the summit, there has already been pledges of actions people will be taking.