Sustain's survey to local frontline health professionals and community organisations reveals a grim picture of rising food insecurity among families with no recourse to public funds while support services struggle to meet the level of need. Respondents overwhelmingly support extending Healthy Start Scheme to families with NRPF to ensure a nutritional safety net at the start of life.
From September to October 2023 Sustain ran a survey to local frontline health professionals and community support workers to understand the experiences of families on low incomes with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) in accessing nutritious food in pregnancy, and for their babies and young children. It also explored NRPF families' experiences accessing Healthy Start Scheme payments where they are eligible.
The survey captured:
- types of community-level services being offered to low income/no income NRPF families to access nutritious food
- impacts of the cost-of-living crisis and immigration system on NRPF families’ ability to access nutritious food for their young children and in pregnancy
- impacts on frontline health and community services in trying to meet level of need among NRPF families
- experiences of community services in supporting NRPF families to access Healthy Start payments where they are eligible
- general views of frontline workers in expanding Healthy Start to all low income families with children under the age of 4, regardless of immigration status.
Survey findings: Food insecurity among families with no recourse to public funds
8pp - 2023 | 137Kb
Published 20 Nov 2023
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
