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Policy reports

We help decision-makers think about the needs of children and young people. Search our reports for research and recommendations on the important issues

Young girl looking in empty fridge with sister

Paying the price of child poverty

4.5 million children are now paying the price of poverty in the UK. Without sustained policy action, a further 400,000 children will be pulled into poverty by the end of the decade.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 19 March 2025
Natalia and Chloe sit at a kitchen table with Action for Children worker Kirsty

Family support and child poverty

This short briefing explores how family support services can contribute to the Child Poverty Strategy.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 31 January 2025
Young male looking seriously at his reflection in the mirror

“I don’t want to go down that road”: The harms inflicted on criminally exploited children

In March 2024 we published the findings of the Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children. This piece of follow-up research examines the harms caused to exploited children and offers safeguarding recommendations.

Sharon Maciver - Director of Criminal Exploitation, and Martha Hampson - Senior Policy Advisor 31 October 2024
Worried looking mum holding son and looking out the window

Sick and tired: A look at the hardships and work prospects of sick and disabled parents relying on incapacity benefits

Read the latest in our series of reports that explores the barriers to employment faced by low-income families with children.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 23 October 2024
Children in care AFC_136

A Place to Call Home: Understanding what makes a good home for children in care across the UK

Every child in the care system deserves a safe, loving home. In this report, we uncover what constitutes high quality care and what step governments can take to help more children in care.

09 September 2024
Father holding son looking into distance

Parenting after separation: Insights from Parent Talk 2023-24

Our parenting support platform, Parent Talk, has seen a large increase in parents looking for support for issues relating to parenting and relationships. Our latest report takes a closer look to find out what parents are struggling with.

Daisy Elliott - Senior Policy Advisor 13 August 2024
Boy looking into the camera with a worried face covered by a blanket

Policy briefing: Tackling child poverty

The government has committed to a new child poverty strategy. These are our immediate policy options to tackle child poverty and barriers to work.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 31 July 2024
CATT

Action for Children's calls for our next government

We’re campaigning for the next government to make children’s lives safer, happier, and healthier.

11 June 2024
Boy in uniform neutral expression

Above and beyond: How teachers fill gaps in the system to keep children learning

More children are struggling at school because of increased pressures outside school. Our report presents teachers’ experiences of supporting these children.

Daisy Elliott - Senior Policy Advisor 25 April 2024
Boy carrying teddy approaching house

Our response to the Education Committee’s inquiry into children’s social care

In November 2023, the Education Committee in Parliament launched an inquiry into children’s social care. This is our response to the questions raised and what we believe needs to be considered.

Jessica Ford - Senior Policy Advisor 27 March 2024
Criminal exploitation of children - report cover image

The Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children

Tens of thousands of children and young people are at risk of being exploited across the UK – groomed, coerced and threatened into a life of violence, criminalisation and abuse.

21 March 2024
tired mother leans against kitchen wall, while rocking child to sleep

Why are 300,000 families in full-time work still in poverty?

As part of our ‘Barriers to Work’ series of publications, this briefing takes a deep dive into some of the key characteristics of these families.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 22 February 2024
Alice, a sad young girl stands at the window while looking into camera

Child poverty and barriers to work

Our latest publication in our ‘Barriers to Work’ series on child poverty includes new estimates of the number of children in poverty whose families have potential barriers to work. For the first time, we also provide estimates for the nations and regions

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 22 February 2024
Young boy seated looking at his father with a straight face

Returning home from care: improving support for family reunification

Working with the NSPCC, our report looks at children returning home from care, and the importance of properly supporting reunifying families.

Jessica Ford - Senior Policy Advisor 17 January 2024
Boy looking into the camera holding a teddy bear

Going without: Almost one in five children growing up deprived of the basics

Action for Children, working with the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), has analysed UK government data on children growing up in material deprivation.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 11 December 2023
Mother and child holding hands

Breaking through the barriers

Our latest report highlights how we can build better systems to overcome barriers to work and opportunity, guarantee security, and uphold dignity.

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 02 November 2023
Teacher and young girl sitting on the ground reading a book together.jpg

School refusal: Insights from Parent Talk

Our latest report finds out what parents and carers are struggling with in relation to school refusal and anxiety

Joe Lane - Head of Policy and Research 24 October 2023
Sad daughter being comforted by her dad

A cost of children crisis?

New Action for Children analysis shows that by almost every financial measure families with children are among the hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis

Scott Compton - Senior Policy Advisor 18 October 2023
Mother and son laughing together in a garden

The well worn path

New analysis from a coalition of leading children’s charities shows years of funding cuts have left council budgets buckling under soaring Children’s Social Care costs

13 September 2023
Teen school mates walking in the street with big smiles on their faces.jpg

The Educational Outcomes of Children Referred to Children's Social Care

The latest report in our Revolving Door series reveals wide school attainment gaps for children with a social care referral

Sam Atwell - Senior Policy Advisor 22 August 2023