Anti-Poverty Week co-ordinator for the Financial and Consumer Rights Council, Carmel Stafford, said cost-of-living pressures meant many parents were struggling to pay for food, utilities and rent and often couldn't afford to send their children to school camps or buy uniforms and books.

"In our work in the community we've seen a lot of people living in poverty, on low incomes, on Centrelink payments. It means their kids often miss out on going to camps and other social events and the parents in turn feel bad about it," she said.

A report by the St Vincent de Paul Society and Victorian Council of Social Service shows prices for essential items like food, health care, education, housing and utilities, and transport costs have skyrocketed in recent years.

According to the relative price index report, low-income households are at risk of poverty because spending on essential items takes up most of the household income.

A forum hosted by the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services and the Financial and Consumer Rights Council on October 19 discussed ways to ensure students from poorer families did not feel excluded at school.

The forum, which coincided with Anti-Poverty Week (October 16-22), was aimed at raising awareness of the financial difficulties many parents face in Brimbank.

It also looked at ways financial counsellors could work with staff and struggling families.

"We want to encourage social inclusion in schools, and schools can ensure this happens by having second-hand uniform shops to make things cheaper for parents and making sure camps and other activities are not too expensive," Ms Stafford said.

The forum was attended by representatives of St Albans and Stevensville primary schools and Copperfield College.