Child Poverty Dashboard
CASE STUDY
A Data-Driven Approach to Tackling Inequality
Glasgow City Council’s Child Poverty Dashboard represents a significant shift in how local authorities can use data to inform social policy and service delivery. Developed by the Centre for Civic Innovation (CCI), the dashboard was created in response to the persistent and deeply rooted issue of child poverty in the city.
The dashboard is designed to provide a clear, accessible view of child poverty across Glasgow’s 23 wards, 136 intermediate zones, and 746 data zones. These geographic layers allow users to explore poverty data at varying levels of granularity, offering insights into where support is most needed. The tool draws on Council Tax Reduction data and other local indicators to map out the prevalence of poverty, with a particular focus on priority groups identified by the Scottish Government. These include lone-parent households, families with a disabled member, large families, and households with a mother under the age of 25.
What sets the dashboard apart is its functionality. Users can filter data by employment status, housing tenure, and age group, enabling a nuanced understanding of the different dimensions of poverty. This level of detail is intended to support council officers, service designers, and community organizations in making informed decisions about where and how to allocate resources. The dashboard is not just a static reporting tool - it is a dynamic platform with regularly updated data, that can be continually used to inform decision making.
The dashboard is being used in the Council’s Child Poverty Programme, aiding in the identification of “booster wards”, areas with the highest levels of child poverty, such as Calton, Govan, and Southside Central. These wards serve as testing grounds for new approaches under the Demonstration of Change model, where local officers work with community partners and residents to co-design interventions.
The development of the dashboard also reflects a broader cultural shift within the council towards data transparency and collaborative governance. By making the tool publicly accessible, the council invites scrutiny, feedback, and participation from a wide range of stakeholders. This openness is essential for building trust and ensuring that anti-poverty efforts are responsive to the lived experiences of families across the city.
Natalie Phillips, Sustainable Communities Development Manager, Clyde Gateway – “I think that the dashboard has gave us some very useful insights in terms of the make-up of families that they are keeping a data profile of that we weren't necessarily focused in on. I would probably say that the most telling piece of information that we've received from the dashboard is that 49% of the families in Calton Ward have children of multiple educational stages, which means that they're finishing education at different times. That is really pinpointing to us that that's a significant barrier to families who are trying to progress into sustainable employment...” “I would say that gives us the detail to really target and focus a wraparound approach to that issue. Whether or not that's play schemes that align with the statutory child care offer - looking at after-school child care provision that we can then utilise to try and target and focus an approach that will help those parents access general opportunities and to progress towards a sustainable job without worrying about the child care barriers that those multiple age families are currently facing.”
Glasgow’s Child Poverty Dashboard is a practical example of how local government can harness data to address complex social issues. The tool provides a foundation for more informed, targeted, and accountable action and as the city continues to refine its approach, the dashboard can aide in helping the Council make effective decisions to reduce child poverty and support families in need.