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October 2023 - Education

72% of school staff believe there has been an increase in ‘hygiene poverty’ issues in their schools: A recent poll has found that 72% of school staff have seen an increase in ‘hygiene poverty’ issues in their schools, with more children being likely to arrive at school with dirty clothes and unbrushed teeth.

The poll was conducted for The Hygiene Bank Charity and for cleaning brand Smol, who define ‘hygiene poverty’ as “people caught between being able to heat their home, pay their bills, buy food or keep clean”. 

The research surveyed 500 school staff across the UK who have said they were aware of pupils experiencing hygiene poverty.

Further findings highlighted that dirty uniforms/PE kits, unwashed hair and uncleaned teeth were the most common indicators of hygiene poverty being present in a school. A small percentage of the staff who took part revealed that they had personally washed uniforms for children at home and handed out washing detergents to parents who needed them.

Findings also revealed that 53% of school staff said pupils were isolated or left out by fellow students in their classes. Additionally, half of the school staff interviewed said they had seen a negative impact on the children’s mental health due to hygiene poverty issues. Worst of all, over a quarter (26%) of school staff surveyed said they have seen an increase in children being absent because of hygiene poverty.

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