Sparkbrook Children’s Zone profiled in Birmingham Mail

Sparkbrook Children’s Zone, a pioneering service we deliver in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Hospital and a local Primary Care Network of nine GP surgeries, was recently featured in a special report produced by the Birmingham Mail.

The Birmingham Mail, one of the most-read regional newspapers in the UK, has produced an in-depth investigation into the alarming growth in child poverty in the city.

The paper claims that no fewer than 46% of children living in Birmingham are impoverished - up from 27% in 2015. These figures represent more than twice the national average with Birmingham having the third highest child poverty rate in the UK.

The report offers a deep dive into how spending cuts, stagnating wages and the housing crisis have impacted communities with insights provided by both case studies and detailed data analysis.

Whilst being frank about the challenges, the report is also hopeful offering solutions to the child poverty crisis in Birmingham such as:

• An end to the two child benefit cap
• The appointment of Child Poverty Tsar for the city
• Create an ‘aid bank’ for baby and child essentials
• Create a permanent Household Support Fund and give out more discretionary housing grants
• Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
• Free travel for teens and job seekers
• Invest in children’s and youth services

The Birmingham Mail investigation also recommends that more child health and wellbeing hubs should be established in the city’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The paper says that the “value of the hub at Sparkbrook Children’s Zone should be replicated in every deprived community in the city. “

Dr Caroline Wolhuter, Head of Innovation, Impact and Early Help Lead within our Community Involvement and Investment Team said: “Sparkbrook Children’s Zone is funded by NHS England to address health inequalities in children and young people. 

“This is a unique early intervention service offering families integrated health and social care in one place. Together our children’s doctors, nurse and family support team offer three clinics a week to children under 16 and their families.

“I would like to thank Birmingham Mail for their excellent reporting on the increase in child poverty. This massive piece of work shines a light onto the bleak operating environment we are in but also the inspiring work taking place in Birmingham."

Find out more about Sparkbrook Children’s Zone here.

You can read Birmingham Mail report in to Child Poverty here.