Meet Dionne: Edinburgh’s GIRFEC ambassador!

Seventeen year old Dionne McFarlane is a leading light in the Scottish Government’s GIRFEC initiative. The local girl is in her final year at St Augustine’s High School but she’s also pretty busy delivering presentations and facilitating workshops around children and young people’s issues. Dionne’s been called Edinburgh’s GIRFEC ambassador. What’s GIRFEC? Read on …

GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) is a consistent way for people to work with all children and young people. It’s the bedrock for all children’s services and can also be used by practitioners in adult services who work with parents or carers.

The approach helps practitioners focus on what makes a positive difference for children and young people – and how they can act to deliver these improvements. Getting it right for every child is being threaded through all existing policy, practice, strategy and legislation affecting children, young people and their families.

For children and their families GIRFEC means:

They understand what is happening and why
They have been listened to carefully and their wishes have been heard and understood
They will feel confident about the help they are getting
They are appropriately involved in discussions and decisions that affect them
They can rely on appropriate help being available as soon as possible
They will have experienced a more streamlined and co-ordinated response from practitioners

For professionals working with children GIRFEC means:

Putting the child or young person at the centre and developing a shared understanding within and across agencies

Using common tools, language and processes, considering the child or young person as a whole, and promoting closer working where necessary with other practitioners

Providing leadership and strategic support to implement the changes in culture, systems and practice required within and across agencies to implement Getting it right for every child

Planning for the transition as staff in agencies move from the current working processes to the new child-centred processes

The GIRFEC approach is based on solid foundations: there are ten core components and a set of values and principles which bring meaning and relevance at a practice level to single-agency, multi-agency and inter-agency working across the whole of children’s services. They can be applied in any setting and circumstance where people are working with children and young people.

The core components are:

A focus on improving outcomes for children, young people and their families based on a shared understanding of wellbeing

A common approach to the proportionate sharing of information where appropriate

An integral role for children, young people and families in assessment, planning and intervention

A co-ordinated and unified approach to identifying concerns, assessing needs, and agreeing actions and outcomes, based on the wellbeing Indicators

Streamlined planning, assessment and decision-making processes that lead to the right help at the right time

Consistent high standards of co-operation, joint working and communication where more than one agency needs to be involved, locally and across Scotland

A Named Person for every child and young person, and a Lead Professional (where necessary) to co-ordinate and monitor multi-agency activity

Maximising the skilled workforce within universal services to address needs and risks as early as possible

A confident and competent workforce across all services for children, young people and their families

The capacity, proportionately and appropriately, to share demographic, assessment, and planning information within and across agency boundaries.

That all sounds pretty complicated – how did a 17 year old girl from Crewe get involved in delivering the GIRFEC message?

“It might sound complicated, but it’s not really”, Dionne said. “It’s really just about making sure the support for the child is always there. IS the child safe? Is the child healthy? It’s about the whole wellbeing of the child – this is about emotional, not educational, support”.

Dionne first got involved almost two years ago, when Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, wanted to find out what wellbeing means to Scotland’s young people. Ms Campbell invited young people to send in either a written piece or a drawing about what wellbeing meant to them.

There were over 300 entries from young people aged between 11 and 15.

“I read up about it and thought that this was something I would be interested in. I entered – my choice of subject was ‘bereavement’ – and I thought that was that. I was busy with other things and had pretty much forgotten all about it when the Scottish Government got in touch to say I was one of twelve winners”.

You can find Dionne’s entry here

http://www.wellbeingforyoungscots.org/about/winners/dionne

Dionne was the only young person from Edinburgh to be invited to Victoria Quay to participate in workshops with the Scottish Government to produce all the information on the www.wellbeingforyoungscots.org/ website. The idea is to tell other young people more about wellbeing and what the Scottish Government is doing to try and make Scotland the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up.

Since then, our Dionne’s been in constant demand – speaking at conferences, helping to formulate policy and delivering presentations all over the country. As a seventeen year old schoolgirl, isn’t it all too demanding? What about exams?

“I’m in sixth year and I have exams and I also have college interviews lined up but everything is okay; I’m able to manage fine. The school is very supportive and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it. I really do love it and it’s a fascinating subject – the work I’ve done with GIRFEC has made me think seriously about a career in social work”.

While spreading the GIRFEC message Dionne has met many high-profile public figures. Who has impressed her most?

“Aileen Campbell (above, with Dionne) was really nice. She is very enthusiastic about the work we are doing and she is also passionate about her brief. I think her attitude rubs off on other people too. She’s just had a second baby so she’s on maternity leave just now. If I had to choose just one person I would have to say Sue Bruce, who is the city council’s Chief Executive. She was really down to earth and showed genuine interest in the work I’ve been doing. She was very easy to talk to”.

And a final message to young people?

“If I could only get out one message, it would be to reassure young people that you don’t have to go through difficult things on your own – whatever problems you are facing there are people to help you. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness – that’s the most important message I would like to get out”.

Preparing and delivering presentations, speech-writing, participating in workshops, then there’s the school studies and college interviews … it’s a schedule that might floor some people, but not Dionne – Edinburgh’s very own GIRFEC ambassador!

For more information on GIRFEC go to:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright

One Scot in eleven now living in poverty

Having a job is no guarantee of escape from poverty – half of children living in extreme poverty were in households where at least one adult was in full time employment

More than half a million people in Scotland are living in severe or extreme poverty , according to the latest data published today. Scotland’s poorest people lived on less than half the average income in 2012/13, according to a new government report.

Around 510,000 people, including 100,000 children and 80,000 pensioners, are living in severe poverty – households with an income under £11,500. A further 230,000 were classed as living in extreme poverty, which means the household had an income of lower than £9200.

A household is defined as living in relative poverty with an income below 60 per cent of the UK median income. Severe poverty is defined as living with an income lower than £11,500, or 50 per cent of UK median income, while extreme poverty is defined as lower than £9,200, 40 per cent of UK median income.

The scale of the country’s poverty levels has been exposed in the Scottish Government’s Severe Poverty in Scotland report, which shows working age adults and children are more likely to live in severe poverty than pensioners, particularly after housing costs.

Commenting on Severe Poverty in Scotland, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: “It’s a disgrace that so many people live in such severe or extreme poverty, but it’s an unfortunate and inevitable result of the UK Government’s failed austerity agenda and welfare cuts that are slashing incomes for some of our poorest households.

“With employment increasing and unemployment down, Scotland is outperforming the rest of the UK, yet the statistics show that a job is no longer any guarantee against severe or extreme poverty.

“That’s why we opposed cutting in-work tax credits and why the Scottish Government and its agencies are paying the living wage, encouraging other employers to follow suit.

“We have put tackling poverty and inequality at the heart of Government, through policies like the council tax freeze, free prescriptions, expanding childcare provision, while we are mitigating the worst of the welfare cuts, by replacing income lost through the bedroom tax or council tax benefits cuts.

“That action is making a real difference and we will continue to make the argument for a fairer welfare system.”

The statistics also make clear that being in a job is not a guarantee against poverty. Being in employment does significantly reduce the risk of poverty, but 44% of working age adults in extreme poverty lived in households where at least one adult was in employment, as did 60% of children – half of children living in extreme poverty were in households where at least one adult was in full time employment.

In 2012/13, around 10% of working age adults and 10% of children were living in severe poverty, as were 8% of pensioners.

After housing costs, 16% of working age adults, 15% of children and 6% of pensioners in Scotland are living in severe poverty.

Over the last decade, while the rate of relative poverty has fallen, a greater proportion of households in poverty were in severe or extreme low income in 2012/13.

SCDC asks: is your group as effective as it could be?

Are citizens and community groups as effective as they could be? This is the question that is being asked by the Fred Edwards Trust and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC).

We want to find out if activists have access to the information, tools and skills they need, not just to tackle the issues that matter to them, but to challenge and address the root causes as well.

We would like to know to what extent citizens and community groups who are working on issues of social, economic and environmental justice find the space to help them critically analyse the policies, decisions and systems that affect them.

Our aim in doing this is to find out if more needs to be done to support active and effective citizenship in Scotland. We would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to respond to the questions in the link below.

Take the survey here

This survey will close on Friday 20 March 2015

NEPAF: How is it for you?

Hello all,

The North Edinburgh Physical Activity Forum (NEPAF) is nearly two years old already! PCHP has been leading NEPAF since it began in June 2013 and we are really keen to evaluate its usefulness.

It would be very helpful if you could take 10 minutes to answer the following questions and get them back to me by Wednesday 18 March. We will bring the responses together to discuss at the next NEPAF meeting in April.

1. Is NEPAF helpful, and if so how?

2. What has the impact of the forum been for you and/or your group/organisation?

3. Who have made connections with?

4. Have you done anything differently?

5. Have you started any new pieces of work as a result?

6. Do you have more information, access to more resources?

7. How often would you like to attend?

8. When is the best times/days for you to attend?

9. Do you think NEPAF should (Please tick as appropriate)

– Respond to consultations from local or national government

– Hold networking meetings

– Have meetings with speakers

– Influence decision makers (have a collective voice locally and nationally)

– Plan and deliver events together

Thank you very much for your time – we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting,

Lianne Pipskyj

Development Worker – Physical Activity, Pilton Community Health Project

Telephone: 0131 551 1671

liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk

www.pchp.org.uk

Adult literacies in Scotland review

In 2010, the Scottish Government set out plans to improve the literacies capabilities of Scotland’s adults over a 10 year period called ‘Adult Literacies in Scotland 2020: Strategic Guidance’(ALIS 2020).

“By 2020 Scotland’s society and economy will be stronger because more of its adults are able to read, write and use numbers effectively in order to handle information, communicate with others, express ideas and opinions, make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners.”

On behalf of the ALIS 2020 Strategic Implementation Group, Education Scotland are launching a review of progress in adult literacies over the last five years as well as identifying on-going priorities and challenges for the next five years. We are keen to seek the views of individuals and organisations.

The online survey can be accessed here, the closing date for responses is Thursday 30th April 2015. A pdf list of questions contained within the survey is available to support organisations who wish to undertake discussion activities with partners, volunteers or staff.

For more information, please visit the CLD section of the Education Scotland website or contact the CLD team

Dr Owl’s eggstra-special holiday health tips

Eggstra special seasonal health advice (sorry!) …

Dr Owl – the memorable and wise character from a national health campaign – takes to the skies across Scotland again today urging people to take a few simple steps to look after their health this Easter.

Dr Owl was joined by five-year-old Freya Cowie from Dunblane and seven-year-old Jack Ozen from South Queensferry at the New Hopetoun Garden Centre to launch this year’s Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign. The campaign, which is run by NHS 24 on behalf of NHS Scotland, is reminding people that by making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines, knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.

This year many GP surgeries across Scotland will close for four days from Good Friday (3 April) to Easter Monday (6 April), before re-opening on Tuesday 7 April.

After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland’s health services. NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Easter falls slightly earlier this year and as such, there are still many common illnesses circulating within communities. The Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign wants to remind people of the small steps they can take to ensure illness doesn’t ruin their Easter.

“Being prepared by having enough repeat medication to cover you and having some simple home remedies available can make all the difference if illness strikes. It is also important to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions over the Easter break, so please order and collect in good time. We would also remind people of the wide range of health information available at NHS inform.”

Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs and nurses are working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland to see patients with conditions that need urgent attention over the holiday period and cannot wait until the surgeries reopen on Tuesday.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

TRIM March minutes

Our March 2015 Minutes can be found on our website here

Regards
Secretary
Tenants & Residents In Muirhouse (TRIM)

Website – http://muirhouseresidents.co.uk
Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/trimgroup
Also on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MuirhouseTRIM

Sparta seeks new space

Sparta Boxing Club is a voluntary organisation working with young people. They are currently based at Baileyfield and are in desperate need of new premises to rent in the Edinburgh area. They need around 100sqm of lockable space that they can access evenings and weekends. Any help / ideas much appreciated.

Please contact George Forsyth on 07734 814 478 or email george.forsyth@castlerockedinvar.co.uk

Scotland will eventually leave UK, research suggests

Political engagement is highest in Scotland – but few people believe they can make a difference

Most people in the UK now believe Scotland will become an independent country and eventually leave the UK, according to new research from the University of Edinburgh.

The findings are taken from a survey of more than 7000 voters across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland which asked people about a range of constitutional issues.

The majority of people surveyed across the four nations believe that Scotland will eventually leave the UK – 69 per cent in Scotland; 59 per cent in England; 54 per cent in Wales; and 59 per cent in Northern Ireland.

The survey found that 15 per cent of Scots think the country will become independent within five years and 32 per cent believe it will happen within ten. Overall, more than two-thirds of Scots believe the country will eventually vote for independence.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government continues to believe independence is the best option for Scotland, and the survey finds most Scots think this is where the constitutional journey will take us.

“We also believe strongly that Scotland being taken out of the EU in a referendum in circumstances, where a majority of Scots had voted to stay in, would be massively damaging economically and have major constitutional implications.

“The referendum on independence was a wonderful experience of democratic engagement, bringing people into politics who in some cases had not been involved in decades, if at all.

“I therefore welcome the findings that political engagement in Scotland is higher than in the rest of the UK, particularly among young people and that there remains a strong appetite for debate over the constitution. Scots are significantly more likely to say that they will vote in the 2015 Westminster election.”

Despite the views on constitutional issues, those surveyed do not believe ‘ordinary people’ have a big influence on how the UK is run – politicians, political parties, businesses, trade unions and local councils are seen to hold greater influence on the running of the country.

Dr Jan Eichhorn, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science, said: “People across the UK show an appetite for discussions about how the country should be governed. However, it is worrying to see how little people think they can actually make a difference.”

Dr Daniel Kenealy said: “Despite Nicola Sturgeon’s call for an EU referendum veto by the four nations of the UK, and First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones’s support for the idea, it remains unpopular with people across the UK.”

A Labour spokesman said: “This poll shows that people are frustrated with the way that politics works, and they want to have a bigger say in how our country is run. Making our country work for working people is the best way to bring all parts of it together again.

“That is why Labour has committed to a constitutional convention, made up of people from all parts of the country and all walks of life, to change the way our country works.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said fears about the end of the Union were being heightened by the prospect of a pact at Westminster between Labour and the SNP in the event of a hung parliament.

The spokesman said: “With Labour flirting with the SNP in the hope it gets them into government, and the Lib Dems dead in the water it’s no surprise people fear the constitutional question isn’t yet over.”

Aid on the way to devastated Vanuatu

‘ I term it as a monster, a monster. After all the development that has taken place, all this development has been wiped out. My whole heart is for the people, the nation.’ – Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale

Britain has sent vital shelter and relief supplies to help people whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Pam, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has announced.

A Royal Air Force C-17 transport plane departed from RAF Brize Norton in the early hours of this morning (Monday 16 March) and will travel to the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley in Australia, where it will join the international relief effort.

The plane is carrying 1,640 shelter kits for use by families of five people and more than 1900 solar lanterns with inbuilt mobile phone chargers. These supplies will help to provide protection to some of the most vulnerable people affected by the cyclone, especially women and children.

A humanitarian expert from the Department for International Development has also been deployed to advise on distribution of the supplies and assist with field assessments as part of the international relief effort.

The C-17 and its crew will remain in Australia for several days to undertake further support flights between Australia and affected areas as required.

Justine Greening said:

“The terrible effects of Cyclone Pam are now clear and many people are in urgent need of relief.

The Royal Air Force’s swift and invaluable support will ensure victims of the cyclone get the help they need to start putting their lives back together.

Families’ homes have been destroyed and power supplies are down. Our emergency shelter kits and solar lanterns will help meet people’s basic needs and Britain stands ready to assist further.”

All commercial flights in and out of Port Vila have been grounded, with only military planes able to land.

On Saturday 14 March, following a request from the Government of Vanuatu,Britain made up to £1 million available to UN organisations and international aid agencies in the region. The UK will also send an additional £1 million through the UK’s Rapid Response Facility, which provides emergency support via pre-approved organisations in the event of a humanitarian disaster overseas.

Cyclone Pam, a category five tropical storm, struck Vanuatu, a remote Pacific island nation – and one of the world’s least developed countries – on Saturday local time.

Two hundred mile per hour winds and torrential rain has caused widespread destruction, particularly in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital. Communication networks have been severely disrupted by power outages and much of the infrastructure system across the archipelago has been destroyed.

Vanuatu’s President Baldwin Lonsdale said the the impact of the storm has been ‘devastating’. “I term it as a monster, a monster – it’s a setback for the government and for the people of Vanuatu,” he said. “After all the development that has taken place, all this development has been wiped out. My whole heart is for the people, the nation.”