Sefton Council welcomes new school uniform affordability laws

Sefton Council has welcomed new laws designed to make school uniforms more affordable for families, which support its ongoing work with to reduce classroom poverty.

Under the new regulations announced by the Government yesterday, the number of branded uniform items that schools can require will be limited to no more than three. Secondary schools will be allowed a fourth item if it is a tie.

Sefton Council has been working closely with schools across the borough to understand and tackle the impact of poverty on children's education. This includes encouraging schools to consider the affordability of uniforms, promoting access to pre-loved uniform schemes and supporting wider action to remove barriers that can affect attendance, learning and wellbeing.

Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing said:
"We know that many families are facing financial pressures and that the cost of school uniforms can be a real concern, especially where there is more than one child in the household.

"These new laws are a positive step because they recognise that every pound matters to families. No child should feel different or miss out because of the cost of their uniform.

"In Sefton, we are committed to tackling poverty in all its forms. By working with schools and communities, we are helping to reduce costs where possible and make sure children can focus on learning, not on the financial challenges facing their families."

The changes are part of the Government’s wider efforts to make sure the cost of attending school does not place unnecessary pressure on families.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Seton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:
"Education should be accessible to every child and young person. When school costs are kept down, it helps remove barriers to pupils’ attendance, participation and achievement.

"Schools across Sefton are already doing fantastic work to support families, including introducing more flexible uniform options, and these national changes will build on that progress. Limiting expensive branded uniform requirements will give parents more choice and help ensure that school uniforms remain practical, affordable and inclusive.

"We look forward to continuing our work with schools to create environments where every child feels they belong and can reach their full potential."

Sefton families wanting advice, guidance and support can find it all in one place from the Sefton Family Life Toolkit, atwww.seftonfamilylife.com/

Launched in April, the portalbrings together a wide range of information for parents, carers, children and young people.Covering everything from early years support and health services to education, SEND, and parenting advice, the toolkit represents a significant step forward in improving accessibility and connectivity across services in Sefton.

Sefton Council has also been working alongside headteachers, governors and local partners to support measures that reduce the cost of the school day The aim is to ensure no child feels left out because of the cost of going to school. Twenty-five schools have now taken part in the Poverty Proofing the School Day© programme. Thisinvolvesschoolsworking with families and pupils to identify and remove everyday costs that can create barriers.

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. Schools are also helping parents plan ahead for costs such as trips and uniforms, reducing financial pressure.

Leaders from 11 of Sefton’s Early Years’ settings have also taken part in training to help reduce financial pressures on parents and carers.Among the issues that arose during the training was the growing levels of in-work poverty and the impact of rising living costs.

Producing a year-round calendar of planned events was one idea suggested. This would give parents and carers the chance to prepare ahead and come up with affordable ideas.

More Sefton schools are already signed up for the training and Early Years providers in Sefton can register their interest in future poverty awareness and training opportunities by contacting Bev Colford in Sefton’s Early Years service at Beverley.colford@sefton.gov.ukor on 07773 096500.

People can find Sefton's Child Poverty Strategy here atwww.sefton.gov.uk/Child-Poverty