Four in 10 parents in South West struggling to access support for under-fives
A report has shown almost 50% of parents say they feel lonely or isolated
Last updated 23rd Aug 2022
A report has shown four in 10 parents in the South West are struggling to access essential support for their children under the age of five.
The study, by the UK Charity Action for Children, has found almost a quarter are missing out entirely on what they call 'vital 'lifeline' parenting support' for children ages zero to five.
Figures also show 40% are more likely to have problems accessing early years support in comparison to high income families and they fear this will worsen with other financial pressures on families with the rising cost of living.
The charity is calling for the Government to prioritise support for parents looking after children in their Levelling Up agenda.
Rossanna Trudgian, head of campaigns and public affairs at Action for Children, said: “Every child deserves a chance at having the best start in life.
"That’s why we’re worried that disadvantaged children are being blocked from accessing the services that allow them to catch up and level up for when they start school".
The charity are urging the next Prime Minister to ensure every family has access to key early years services in their local area as a core part of the ‘levelling up’ agenda. They say this can be done with sustained investment for parenting support.
63% of the region’s parents told the charity as a part of their study that they want more high-quality support available to help with their parenting.
Rossanna continued: “We know from our own frontline services that helping families as early as possible is more effective in the long-run so investing in high quality child support and parenting programmes in every community should be a core part of the ‘levelling-up’ agenda.
“We urge the next Prime Minister to take urgent action to deliver a long-term plan for early years services with sustained investment in parenting support to ensure every child in the South West and across the country gets the foundations they need to thrive.”
Action for Children found the main barrier for over 25% of families accessing support was that services were not available in their local areas, with nearly one third of parents in the South West agreeing this is the case.
The call for the government is for more early years services, including non-childcare programmes to support education and development like toddler and baby groups and parenting programmes, to be accessible no matter where you live.
Christine Cottle, children services manager for Action for Children South West, said: "Support for parents and their under fives should be a right and not an extra because we want these children as our next generation to go into school, to access education and to be on a level playing field with their peers.
"Almost fifty percent of parents are feeling isolated and lonely and don't forget this is coming off the back of two years worth of Covid and lockdowns and babies born in lockdowns who are now two. Parents are finding it really difficult to handle children's behaviour.
"Every child deserves the best support in life and we're just worried that the less advantaged children are being blocked from accessing services which will allow them to catch up, level up for when they start school, flourish and thrive".