Children First
Why we’re working together
Households with children have a high prevalence of fuel poverty. National Energy Action estimates that 6 million UK children were living in fuel poverty in 2025.
The impact of this is significant on the development and wellbeing of children. Fuel poverty impacts children’s growth and development, and there are wider physical and mental health implications of living in a cold home for both children and their parents.
It’s estimated that 21% of children in Scotland are living in poverty, according to 2026 Scottish Government data. As Scotland’s national children’s charity, Children First has a proven track record of protecting children and their families from harm and supporting them to recover from trauma and abuse.
We’ve been partnering with the charity since 2024, providing energy-related support to families as part of the charity’s holistic approach to supporting Scottish families to prevent them from reaching crisis. .
In April 2026, we launched a new programme to expand vital energy safeguarding and holistic family support across Scotland. We’re integrating specialist energy advice into Children First’s existing support service, which means families can access help through multiple channels including the national support line, webchat, email, text and video calls.
Together with Children First, we’re working to minimise the health and wellbeing impact on children and families who are living in fuel poverty across Scotland and ensure they have the required energy safeguards in place to maintain a safe and warm home.
What we’re achieving together
- Upskilling the Children First team to identify and support families in energy crisis
- Co-designing new training for our frontline engineers to help them recognise struggling families
- Providing personal energy efficiency and income maximisation advice
- Promoting the Priority Services Register and helping families sign up for the free service
- Raising awareness of carbon monoxide safety and providing free CO alarms where needed
- Providing emergency support to families in energy crisis
- Connecting families to our Safe & Warm community partners for specialist support
How to get involved
Accessing the Keeping Children Safe and Warm service
As one of our Safe & Warm community partners, you can refer families in Scotland to the Children First financial wellbeing team by calling the Children First support line on 08000 28 22 33 or emailing supportline@childrenfirst.org.uk.
You can also talk to their specialist team if you are concerned about a child or would like advice and support about parenting
If you live in Scotland and think you may benefit from this service, you can get in touch through the charity’s website.
Becoming a Children First partner
You can find out more about working with Children First by emailing communications@childrenfirst.org.uk.