The race relations act is a statutory service and it was set up to combat discrimination and make it ‘unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the grounds or race colour nationality ethnic or national origin.’ (www.cre.gov.uk) the act applies in jobs, training, housing, education and in the provision of goods, facilities and services. The act also controls the offensive materials which are found in newspapers, magazines and on television.
A voluntary service which helps families deal with racism is the citizen’s advice bureau; they offer free and confidential advice which is offered by independent people. The citizen’s advice bureau does also offer advice about other issues and not just about racism.
POVERTY
Lack of money is often experienced by families they are considered to be living in poverty if their income is less than half the ‘national average weekly wage which is £411’ (www.statistics.gov.uk) so if a family earns £205.50p or under then they are classed as living in poverty. The causes of poverty can be linked to unemployment, one parent families, black or other minority groups, sick or incapacitated, elderly or low paid jobs. Poverty can affect every area of a family’s life as they may not have the money for a balanced diet, adequate housing, transport, household equipment, leisure activities or toys. Poverty can cause stress, anxiety, unhappiness and can lead to poor physical and mental health. Due to the inability to go out, entertain others, inability to go on holiday.
The government has set up a statutory service the Social Security Act 1986 which is a safety net for people who are living in poverty; social security benefit is paid out to people living in poverty, on low income. Social security benefit is available to all who has contributed towards National Insurance through employment. The social security benefit is means tested which means that once you earn under a certain level of income you are entitled to claim.
Loan companies are a private service which offer a way out of people’s poverty by lending them money. The problem with loan companies are that the money loaned to the family has to be paid back and sometimes with lots of interest put on the top. This means that whilst the loan pulls the family out of poverty for a short period it could put the family back in the same situation again and just add to a debt problem.
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is a voluntary service which will help deal with poverty among children and their families. The CPAG ‘work to ensure that those on low income get their full entitlement of welfare benefits’ (www.cpag.org.uk). They also campaign to improve benefits and politics for low income families in order to eradicate poverty.
HOMELESSNESS
There is a national shortage of accommodation at affordable prices. This was due to the conservative government in 1980’s to let council tenants buy their houses. Although the council has a legal duty to accommodate homeless families the shortage of homes mean that an increasing number of families are placed in bed and breakfast hotels which are unsuitable for families. Living in cramped conditions can cause family relationships to collapse between adults and children. Parents who are under the stress of these conditions may have little or no energy to provide more than the basic needs for their children. Good standards of hygiene and nutritious food are often difficult to maintain as there may be little or no cooking facilities. Cramped conditions of a bed sit or bed and breakfasts provide little space for children to play which can lead to them being under stimulated and having little access to exercise. Although the opportunity for day care can be of great value to children living in a bed and breakfast as they can explore the space provided, get exercise, socialise and have the room to develop new skills.
Shelters statistics
90’000 homeless house holds are in temporary accommodation and 500’000 households are living in crowded housing.
Mango is a private service which provides 1000 beds for homeless people and families in London. They provide specialist workers to meet the needs of the families which help them to set up a home of their own and also provide a training program to help homeless people to find jobs so they can support themselves and their families.
Shelter is a national organisation working to improve lives of homeless and badly housed people and families. They provide professional and independent advice to over 100,000 people a year. Its 3 aims are to
- ‘Prevent and alleviate homelessness’ (ww.shelter.org.uk) by providing information and advice for people with housing problems,
- Campaign for lasting changes to housing policies,
and to
- provide new solutions for homelessness and bad housing
The government and local authorities provide a statutory service which help homeless people, by providing suitable accommodation for people who are homeless and they have also set up the Homeless Act 2000 which requires local authorities to assist in helping people who are homeless through no fault of their own and to help people who are at most risk which includes under 18’s elderly and families with children.
UN Convention of the rights of the child
The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is a piece of legislation that applies to all children under the age of 18. Children are entitled to have human rights like food, health care, a safe home and protection from abuse. Children are a special case because they cannot stand up for themselves. They need a ‘special set of rights’ which take into account of their vulnerability, so that adults take care of them properly. It spells out the basic rights of the children everywhere in the world, which are:-
- to survival,
- right to be with their family,
- free education,
- Free health care,
- not be used as cheap workers or soldiers,
- disabled children have the right to special care and training,
- live in adequate housing,
- have enough food and clean water,
- develop to their full potential,
- to be protected from harm, abuse and not to be exploited,
- to be able to participate fully in family and social life,
- to express and have their views taken into account on all matters that affect them
- to play, rest and enjoy leisure.
These important rights were signed by almost every country in the world.
Bibliography
Internet
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
www.cpag.org.uk
www.cre.gov.uk
www.hmso.gov.uk
www.jrf.org.uk
www.mungos.org
www.shelter.org.uk
Craig Donnellan (2004)
Dealing with Homelessness volume 79, Great Britain MWL Print group LTD
Craig Donnellan (1998)
Poverty volume 9, City Print LTD Milton Keynes
Pamela Minett (1994)
Child Care and Development third edition, Great Britain Butler and Tanner LTD London
Tina Bruce and Carolyn Meggitt (1996)
Child Care and Education, Hodder and Stoughton
