Child poverty in the Scottish Borders has fallen to its lowest level in more than ten years, according to the latest annual progress report on work to support children, young people and families.
The report, ‘Scottish Borders Child Poverty Update 2025/26’, shows that child poverty in the Scottish Borders currently stands at 15.0%. While this represents important progress, the rate remains slightly higher than the Scottish average and seven wards continue to have a higher percentage of children under 16 living in relative low-income families, after housing costs, than Scotland overall.
The figures show that progress is being made, but that continued targeted, partnership-led action with NHS Borders, Community Planning Partners and the partnership Child Poverty Group is needed to reduce poverty and inequality further across the region.
Place-based Support
During 2025/26, partners focused on practical, place-based support designed to reach families where and when they need help most. This has included community clothing provision, financial inclusion advice, employability support, family support, early years interventions and targeted work in communities experiencing higher levels of need. Examples highlighted in the report include vocational pathways at Hawick High School, the Adopt and Adapt programme, Berwickshire Swap and The Clothes Loop, Baby Bank provision, health visiting and midwifery support, and the Child Poverty Accelerator Fund.
Through the Adopt and Adapt programme, Berwickshire Swap has supported around 300 families, with projects expected to reach up to 2,500 individuals as they continue to develop. Community events have also supported clothing access for 723 children across 14 events in seven towns and villages.
The Child Poverty Accelerator Fund has delivered 922 client contacts, generated £456,262 in total financial gain, supported 193 referrals to other organisations and provided 57 financial capability advice discussions with individuals.
The report also notes increasing trust and confidence in services as advisers became more visible within communities, helping people seek advice earlier and access support in a more familiar and less formal setting.
Councillor Robin Tatler, Scottish Borders Council Executive Member for Public Safety and Resilience
“It is encouraging to see child poverty in the Scottish Borders fall to its lowest level in more than a decade, although still higher than the Scottish average. The slight decrease reflects the impact of sustained national and local action, and the commitment of partners working together across our communities.
“However, we know that many families continue to face significant pressures – which are currently predicted to increase in the coming months. That is why our focus remains on practical, targeted support that is shaped around local need and delivered in partnership with communities. I would urge anyone who is struggling to make ends meet to contact our team on 0300 100 1800.
“The progress made during 2025/26 shows what can be achieved when services work together in a joined-up and place-based way. Our priority now is to build on that work in 2026/27, strengthen early intervention and make sure families can access the right support at the right time.”
Claire McElroy, Head of Health Improvement at NHS Borders
“NHS Borders welcomes the publication of the Scottish Borders Child Poverty Report 2025/26 and remains committed to working with partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and families across the region.
“The report highlights both the progress being made and the challenges that remain. Child poverty has a significant impact on health, wellbeing, education and long-term life chances, making it a key public health priority.
“Reducing child poverty requires a whole-system approach. We will continue to strengthen prevention, improve access to support and work with partners to address the root causes of poverty, building on the progress made so far.”
During 2025/26, partners also delivered a range of activity focused on reducing child poverty and supporting families facing financial pressure. This included expanding vocational learning opportunities for young people, investing £70,000 through the Adopt and Adapt programme, strengthening community-based clothing and baby bank provision, embedding financial wellbeing conversations through health visiting and midwifery pathways, and delivering targeted income maximisation support through the Child Poverty Accelerator Fund. This work has helped families access essential items including financial advice, employability support and early intervention services in ways that are practical, local and designed to reduce stigma.
Schools-led Approach
A schools-led approach across the region is helping tackle child poverty and improve outcomes for children and young people. Working together in local clusters, schools and partners are providing a mix of practical support and skills-based programmes. These range from cooking and nutrition sessions to financial awareness, employability skills and extra help with reading. Families are also receiving support with essentials such as food, clothing and transport.
At Hawick High School, initiatives like enhanced transition support are helping young people build confidence and develop important life skills before leaving school. Schools are also linking closely with partners to create vocational pathways and work-based learning opportunities, while offering support to families.This joined-up approach is helping improve attendance, well-being and young people’s readiness for work. The results are already being seen, with 97% of school leavers entering positive destinations in 2024/25 and the poverty-related attainment gap continuing to close.
In 2026/27, we, along with our partners will continue to focus on targeted support for families, including school breakfast clubs, employability support, No One Left Behind activity, locality planning in areas such as Burnfoot, Bannerfield and Langlee, and further work to improve early intervention through pre-birth, maternity, parenting and family support services.
Partners will also strengthen work on health inequalities and develop clearer performance measures and reporting, including monitoring reductions in the proportion of children living in low-income households, uptake of financial support, engagement with employability and family support services, and progress against Community Planning Partnership indicators.
This partnership approach will help ensure that progress remains measurable, evidence-led and focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families across the Scottish Borders.
More information about cost of living support and finanacial assistance is available online. The Child Poverty Update 2025/26 report is available to read online.