Seven community‑based projects across Scotland will share £5.8 million to expand whole family support, scale up efforts to tackle child poverty and improve early child development, Scottish First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The First Minister revealed the funding during a speech in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, where he set out the Scottish Government’s strengthened commitment to eradicating child poverty and making it easier for families to access the right support at the right time.
The investment forms part of £50 million allocated through the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding (WFWF) for 2026/27, building on £148 million already invested since 2022.
The seven grant recipients will use the funding to:
- Provide targeted support for families experiencing financial hardship
- Improve early years development and family wellbeing
- Scale successful whole family support models to reach more households
- Strengthen collaboration across local services, charities and community organisations
The announcement comes ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government’s refreshed Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, due on Thursday, which will outline further actions to meet Scotland’s statutory child poverty targets. The Government has repeatedly highlighted the role of the Scottish Child Payment and whole family support programmes in preventing hardship and helping families stay together through financial strain, relationship stress and trauma.
In his speech, Scottish First Minister John Swinney said:
“Eradicating child poverty is my top priority and as a result of our bold action, child poverty rates are lower in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.
“No child should have to worry about essentials such as food or a warm home because of circumstances beyond their control. While child poverty has reduced, even one young person growing up in poverty is one too many.
“My government is focused on building a support system that is seamless and tailored, that responds flexibly and quickly to people’s needs – and offers the right support at the right time.
“A total of £5.8 million in Whole Family Wellbeing funding will be directed to seven projects that exemplify the type of transformational support required for families across Scotland.
“I am proud that the experiences of children and families are at the heart of our forthcoming Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, which will be set out in Parliament this Thursday. We are charting a path to work in harmony with charities and the third sector so that systems come together as one, providing a brighter future for children across the country.”
The Whole Family Wellbeing Funding programme aims to transform how Scotland supports children, parents and carers by:
- Embedding prevention and early intervention
- Strengthening family‑centred support
- Reducing the need for acute or crisis services
- Empowering community organisations to lead place‑based solutions
- Supporting local partnerships between councils, health boards, schools and the voluntary sector
The £5.8 million announced today is expected to help scale projects that are already demonstrating strong impact in their local areas.
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