A COALITION of charities, schools, businesses and family organisations have joined forces to warn that many Jersey families are at “breaking point” and to urge the Island’s newly elected politicians to rethink how support is provided.
The 13 organisations have signed an open letter to States Members arguing that many families are struggling with the combined pressures of housing costs, childcare and the rising cost of living, despite being in work.
The letter follows a cross-sector roundtable held in May, facilitated by Mentorhood Jersey, which brought together charities, educators, businesses and community organisations.
Signed by Mentorhood founder Denise Heavey on behalf of organisations including Caritas, Mind Jersey, Jersey Child Care Trust, Haute Vallée School, Brighter Futures and Freeda, the letter says the discussions painted a “clear and deeply concerning picture”.
It cites figures showing that around one in four children in Jersey live in relative low income, more than a third of households are struggling financially, and childcare can cost up to £2,000 per month per child.
The signatories argue that there has been a “failure of systems”, which now requires a “rethink” to prevent potentially harmful long-term economic and social impacts.
An executive summary of the roundtable meeting appended to the letter explains that families in Jersey “are increasingly experiencing hidden poverty despite working”.
This is the most worrying reality in Jersey, according to the letter, because people who are struggling are not just those “traditionally considered low income”, with working and middle-class families increasingly “falling between the cracks”, “above eligibility thresholds for support, but below what it actually costs to live” on the Island.
As a consequence, the signatories explain, these struggling families are becoming “increasingly invisible within our current system” and not gaining access to the support they need.
It warns that failing to address these issues will have “significant and long-term” effects on the Island’s economy if left unaddressed, including reduced workforce participation, increased pressure on public services, and poorer outcomes for children and widening inequality. “Strong economies depend on strong families,” the letter states.
While the public statement stops short of recommending specific policy changes, it instead calls on the new Assembly to enter into a “different kind of conversation” and work with the group on developing long-term solutions.
It does offer, however, a list of areas which, in the group’s view, require particular attention.
Who were the signatories?
The letter was signed by Mentorhood co-founder Denise Heavey, on behalf of:
- Denise Carroll – Milli’s Separated and Step Family
- Yvonnne Corbin – Caring Cooks
- Tanya Haynes – La Petite Ecole Group of day Nurseries
- Phil Horsley – Geomarine
- Stuart Hughes – Haute Vallée School
- Karen le Roy Harris & Anna Terry – Jersey Community Foundation
- Patrick Lynch – Caritas
- Lauren Maggs – Brighter Futures
- Paul Milbank & Tim Nash – Khora Partners
- Patricia Tumelty – Mind Jersey
- Fiona Vacher – Jersey Child Care Trust
- Kate Wright – Freeda
It also suggests structural changes such as classifying housing a essential infrastructure and defining what, exactly, a “minimum standard of family life” in Jersey really means.
All 13 signatory organisations say they are committed to working “constructively” with the new government on how a redesigned family support system will look and work – but they also say that the kind of reform the Island needs “will require bold and systemic change, not incremental changes”.
The letter argues that evidence from the UK and even Jersey has already shown that “early, integrated and family-centred support works” and notes that investing in schools and early-years public services should lead to “better outcomes for children, stronger families and reduced long-term public costs”.
Concluding, the signatories say that, while times are difficult for families, there is “reason for hope”, going on to point out that Jersey’s position as a small Island gives it a “unique opportunity” to build a new system “that is joined-up, accessible and built around real lives”.
During questions without notice in yesterday’s States sitting, Deputy Louise Doublet grilled Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham over his initial response to the contents of the letter.
Senator Farnham responded: “These are things that we need to address as a matter of urgency… and I, and the relevant government ministers, will be pleased to meet with all stakeholders, who can help us deliver the solutions we need.”
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