New data-led approach to help Moray’s most vulnerable families
Moray Council is set to introduce an innovative new system designed to identify and support vulnerable households before they reach crisis point.
Funded through £140,000 of Scottish Government Adopt and Adapt funding, the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) will bring together data already held by the council to help target support to families experiencing financial hardship, debt and other complex challenges.
Relative child poverty in Moray is 15.1%, a rise of 0.2% from 2023/24 and above the Scotland rate of 14.8%. Moray is now placed at 11/32 (1 being highest) of Scotland’s Local Authorities and is one of only nine local authorities that have shown increases since 2023/24.
The new system will help council services identify households most at risk, ensure people receive the benefits and support they are entitled to, and enable earlier intervention through a coordinated whole-family approach. The initiative supports Moray Council’s priority to tackle poverty and inequality and will play a key role in efforts to reduce child poverty across the area.
LIFT will also help the council better understand local need, measure the impact of interventions and identify residents who may be missing out on financial support, grants or benefits.
Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “Too often families only come to our attention when they are already facing significant difficulties. This new approach will help us identify those who may be struggling much earlier and offer support before problems escalate.
“By making better use of data we already hold, we can target help where it is needed most, connect families with the right services and ensure they receive all the support they are entitled to.
“Reducing poverty and inequality remains one of Moray Council’s key priorities. The introduction of LIFT will strengthen our ability to support vulnerable households, improve outcomes for children and young people, and help build a fairer Moray for everyone.”