Poverty & Bullying: Report on the 8th Annual Child and Family Poverty Survey 2024

You can read the report here

Poverty related bullying is prevalent:  

Questions about poverty related bullying were first included by Children in Wales in their 2022 Annual Child and Family Poverty Survey. Two years on, the report has found that the narrative from children and young people has not changed – with poverty related bullying being raised as prevalent. 

As in previous surveys, children and young people repeatedly raised issues around poverty related bullying, both in and out of school. Whilst this question did not specifically mention the school environment or education, children and young people did comment that poverty affected their education, experiences and life chances. 

Other children continue to report experiencing or witnessing poverty related bullying, with some sharing the direct impact this has had on them, their mental health and their school attendance.

When asked to comment on their choices, the majority of children and young people, regardless of their choices, commented on poverty related bullying in school and the impact this has on mental health. They noted not wanting to go to school because of this and cited the lack of correct school uniform or being unable to afford school trips as the major cause of poverty related bullying. These issues are further explored in subsequent sections of this report.

Issues around school uniform can cause bullying

The study found that the overwhelming majority of children and young people referred to issues around school uniform as the greatest cause of bullying, as 79% report that uniforms still have to include badges and logos, despite the greater costs than non-branded items of clothing.

As in previous years, school uniform was identified as being the most difficult cost to manage. As shown in the children and young people’s responses in this report, the impact of incorrect uniform usually resulted in bullying from their peers and various forms of punishment from the school, including detention and/or isolation.

The survey asked children and young people what happens if they don’t wear the correct uniform. The most common response to this was being bullied and/or punished. Punishments linked to poverty related issues such as uniforms were also likely to increase the severity or frequency of bullying, for example detention, being sent home, isolation and green cards.

Poverty related bullying and attendance

The study found that poor mental health was heavily interlinked with poverty. Practitioners stated that routes out of poverty were usually ‘blocked’ by poor mental health. For example, parents were often unable to work, engage with or seek support because of their mental health; children and young people regularly had poor attendance at school, because of the stress of school costs and bullying, frequently leading to low educational attainment.

Poverty related bullying increases sense of isolation/mental health problems: 

The study found that children and young people noted being sad, isolated and lonely at school and regularly commented on being bullied by peers or ‘picked on’ by teachers. They were upset that poverty did affect their learning and access to opportunities or simply ‘joining in’, for example through school trips and other activities.

They also reported that poverty related bullying led to lower self-esteem, not being accepted in school, having no-one to talk to about it, being less likely to want to take part in education and activities and not wanting to go to school at all.

Impact on parents and carers:

In the study, parents were asked about meeting the costs of children’s educational needs. They revealed that they prioritise their children’s needs, but this comes at a significant personal cost. 22% of respondents said that they are making sacrifices to ensure that their children have necessities such as food, clothing, and educational resources. Parents frequently put their children’s needs above their own. 

They don’t want their children to be bullied by their peers because of their financial circumstances. They are skipping meals and going without necessities. In many cases, they turn to family members for support, asking for financial help. This can mean getting into debt to cover expenses, all to shield their children from their financial struggles. 

What children think is needed to stop poverty related bullying: 

Children and young people were asked what should be done to stop poverty related bullying in school. Unsurprisingly, many of the measures suggested related to the issues they had raised, but predominantly focused on the need for school to take actions. These included; reducing school uniform costs; reducing school trip costs; educating the whole school, including teachers about the causes and impact of poverty; creating a better understanding and culture of empathy within the school; stringently following through on anti-bullying policies in school; and better, non-stigmatising practice by teachers and staff.  

Throughout their responses, children and young people repeatedly noted the need for respect, understanding and both emotional and practical support for children and their families living in poverty or on low incomes.  

Our Call to Action

The relationship between poverty and bullying is complex and multifaceted. To address this issue, we need to understand the specific mechanisms at play and develop targeted interventions. This requires collaboration with young people, educators, policymakers, and our member organisations. Our aim should be to create inclusive environments where all children, regardless of their economic background, feel safe, supported, and valued.

At the Anti-Bullying Alliance, we are committed to undertaking this crucial work. By raising awareness and driving change, we can help prevent bullying and support the wellbeing of all children. Let's start talking about bullying and poverty and work together to create a brighter future for every child.

Children in receipt of Free School Meals

National Children's Bureau's report on Poverty and children’s personal and social relationships