Moray’s Children’s Services Planning Partnership is developing an innovative new programme to support families with very young children, helping parents build connections, access support earlier, and maximise household income.
The local programme has secured £102,000 from the national Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund following a successful joint bid from Moray Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and Moray Council.
The two-year programme will be delivered by local partners across early years, employability and community health services. It responds to local data showing child poverty in Moray has worsened relative to other areas of Scotland. Almost two-thirds (63.6%) of children living in poverty are concentrated in urban communities, while children in single-parent households are disproportionately affected.
The focus will be on families living in communities between Elgin and Fochabers who have children aged around 18 months. Partners identified a gap in structured support between routine health visitor contacts for this age group, leading to missed opportunities to connect families with guidance, services and income-maximisation support.
Families will be invited to welcoming social gatherings before being offered structured sessions covering practical advice on child development, cost-of-living support, and pathways into employability support. Parents will also have opportunities to take part in confidence-building groups and progress into the existing Peep learning and parenting programme for two and three-year-olds.
Dennis Robertson, Chair of Moray Integration Joint Board which governs the work of Moray HSCP, said: “We’re delighted this funding award recognises both the challenges facing families locally and the strength of partnership working across Moray.
“This programme is about bringing existing services together around families, listening to parents’ lived experience, and offering support at the right time. By helping parents build confidence, strengthen networks and maximise income, we can improve outcomes for children and help them thrive.”
Moray Council Leader Cllr Kathleen Robertson said: “The council, health and social care partnership and our partner organisations are committed to doing everything we can to tackle child poverty.
“This programme is designed to help families feel more connected, improve financial stability and create better outcomes for children in their early years. By providing support at the right time, we can help give children the best possible start in life while also supporting parents to build confidence and access new opportunities.”
Launching in autumn 2026, the programme includes a dedicated keyworker post to coordinate support and help families navigate services. A lived-experience advisory panel of parents will also help design and shape sessions to ensure support reflects the real needs of local families.
Expected outcomes include stronger social connections, increased participation in employability support, better financial stability for families, and improved developmental outcomes for participating children, with 70% expected to meet key developmental milestones by age three.
The Moray project is one of 21 initiatives across Scotland supported through the latest round of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, which helps develop and build on local projects aiming to reduce child poverty.
Moray Children’s Services Planning Partnership works closely with Moray Pathways (Local Employability Partnership) and community planning partners to tackle child poverty and provide targeted support and resources to families, helping them overcome barriers to education, training and employment. Partners also work to ensure children have access to essentials such as food, clothing and safe housing, which are vital to wellbeing, healthy development and long-term life chances.
The next Moray Children’s Services Plan for 2026–2029 is currently in development. Views from children, young people and adults have been gathered through surveys and engagement events to ensure future priorities reflect the lived experience of local families.
The emerging shared vision for the plan is that: “In Moray, every child and young person grows up feeling loved, safe, heard and valued. They are confident in their rights and supported to thrive in families and communities where they feel a strong sense of belonging.”
