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Thu, 19 Mar 2026

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 School 'poverty policy officers' to help families

The two positions in South Tyneside will focus on school uniform and access to activities.

* South Tyneside Council has appointed two school poverty policy officers: Laura Turner and Lisa Murphy.
* They will work with families facing financial pressure, focusing on helping them manage costs related to the school day.
* Projects include: + Working with schools to create new uniform policies that reduce costs for families + Improving access to activities like riding a bike through initiatives such as bike donations to schools + Surveying parents and guardians to improve awareness of available financial support + Providing inclusive events, such as the recent World Book Day celebration at Toner Avenue Primary School in Hebburn
* The roles are funded by the government for an initial 12-month period.