Day: January 24, 2019

Improving Personal and Social Education

Consent education to be part of updated teaching resources.

New resources to address sexual harassment and updated consent education guidance have been recommended as part of a review of Personal and Social Education (PSE).

The PSE recommendations will ensure schools and teachers have the resources and support needed to ensure a more consistent approach in responding to the issues young people face today.

Updated guidance for schools to strengthen the delivery of age and stage appropriate consent education will be taken forward and new resources to address the issue of sexual harassment, both in schools and online, will be developed.

The review also recommends updating guidance on mental health support available to pupils and staff and says schools should engage with pupils in the design and delivery of PSE classes.

Speaking at Queen Anne’s High School in Dunfermline, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Personal and Social Education is critical to giving young people the knowledge, skills and resilience to navigate the various stages of their lives and reach their full potential.

“Pupils have told us that PSE needs to be more relevant, empathetic and informative and must reflect the issues facing young people today. Updated consent education will be stage and age appropriate, will involve young people in the design and delivery of classes and will deliver more consistent teaching at all levels.

“The recommendations will also ensure a high standard of learning and support in mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and will give pupils greater access to mental health support.”

An implementation group, jointly chaired by Cosla and the Scottish Government, will take forward the review’s recommendations.

COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “COSLA welcomes the publication of this report and the recommendations it contains – we look forward to working with Scottish Government, Education Scotland, teaching unions, representative third sector organisations and others, to ensure these are implemented appropriately.

“Personal and Social Education is an important element of the work schools across Scotland are involved in everyday to ensure that children and young people develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need now and in the future for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.”

Find out more on the review of PSE and read in full the recommendations report.

 

Young Start Lottery success for Stepping Stones

Young Scots have a million reasons to celebrate today as a £1 million cash boost wings its way to 16 projects run for, and by, young people. And among them is North Edinburgh’s Stepping Stones! Continue reading Young Start Lottery success for Stepping Stones

P1 testing: Heed the evidence, say Greens

Risk of Results Data Being ‘Invalidated’

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called on the Scottish Government to listen to the experts, after the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee heard a number of concerns regarding the Scottish National Standardised Assessments at its session yesterday.

In response to a question from Mr Greer, Professor Lindsay Paterson confirmed that the differential in the age of Primary one pupils being tested – between four and six – ‘invalidates’ the use of this data beyond the level of the individual pupil, particularly given the shortage of staff who have sufficient statistical experience within local councils.

On the issue of these staff having been cut from councils over recent years, Dr Keir Bloomer of the Royal Society of Edinburgh said: “Local authorities have a declining capacity to offer support to schools.”

The committee also heard from Professor Louise Hayward that the test are extremely narrow, and do not yield a wide range of information.

Ross Greer said: “The already thin evidence base for the government’s Primary One tests is falling apart under the most basic of scrutiny.

“There is a huge difference between a four and a half year old child taking this test at the start of the school year and another pupil who takes it late in the year, by which point they could be six years old.

“Professor Paterson was clear that this significant difference and an inability to control for it when using the data, for example at school level, would simply invalidate it.

“An evidence-led approach in the first place would have avoided so many of these problems but the SNP ploughed on without one. It’s time that they listen to experts, to teachers and to parents, like any responsible government should.”

Police Scotland supports UK wide anti-terror campaign

Police Scotland is highlighting the important role communities play in the fight against terrorism by supporting a UK-wide public information campaign.

The head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, believes that the public are playing a crucial role in helping police and the security services disrupt terrorist activity, with more than 22% of all reports from the public producing intelligence which is helpful to police.

Counter Terrorism Policing has launched a new public information film which will be shown in UK cinemas and across police social media accounts.

The sequel to last year’s ‘Communities Defeat Terrorism’ campaign will feature a new 60-second film based on real-life foiled plots, which will show examples of terrorist-related suspicious activity and behaviour, as well as attack planning methodology.

Airing across 120 cinemas nationwide, including 16 in Scotland, for the next eight weeks, the film will encourage people to report suspicious behaviour and activity through the Government Action Counters Terrorism website and the confidential hotline – 0800 789 321.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, Police Scotland’s lead for specialist crime and intel, said: “Tackling terrorism and domestic extremism is a national priority for Police Scotland and we will continue to work with our partners to protect our communities.

“We should never be complacent and the UK threat level remains at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.

“I hope this campaign reinforces how important it is for communities to act if they see anything suspicious in their area.

“The video asks people to stop and think if they see unusual behaviour and trust your instincts. The unusual behaviour could be part of a bigger picture so it’s crucial people feel confident enough to report this to police. Let us decide how important it is and never think it could be a waste of our time.”

 

Data analysed by Counter Terrorism Policing indicates that the public are consistently providing information which is relevant to police.

If you are still unsure about how or what to report to police then please visit Counter Terrorism Policing for more information on how you can help.

Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations (ACSO), Neil Basu, the UK’s most senior counter terrorism officer, said, “Thankfully, we did not see the horrors of 2017 repeated last year, but we should not be complacent enough to think the terrorist threat has diminished.

“Counter Terrorism Policing officers are currently running more than 700 live investigations nationwide, while crucial intelligence from the public has helped police and the security services prevent 18 terror attacks in just under two years.

“We have been emphasising for some time that communities defeat terrorism, and the fact that more and more reports from the public provide information that is useful to our officers demonstrates this.

“Despite this increasing support, I know some people are still reluctant to speak to us. To them I say, reporting your concerns to us won’t ruin lives, but it might save them.

“Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan and that creates opportunities for police and the security services to discover and stop these attacks before they happen.

“But we need your help to exploit these opportunities, so if you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and act by reporting it in confidence by phone or online.

“That could be someone buying or storing chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons, or receiving deliveries for unusual items, it could be someone embracing extremist ideology, or searching for such material online.

“This new film has been made to try and help people understand recent terrorist attack-planning methods.”

Funding Cuts: Greenspace Trust forced to end community gardens support

Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspace Trust is another high-profile casualty of the EIJB Health & Social Care grants process: 

We have an important announcement in regards to our community garden activities. As part of the recent Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board funding round we have unfortunately missed out on securing ongoing funding to continue the community garden programme. 

Over the last 8 years, the Community Garden Development officers have been involved in the set up and establishment of over 40 community gardens in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The input from the Officers has been instrumental for offering support, signposting volunteers, and helping build the confidence of the people running the gardens

After eight years we will be saying good bye to the role of Community Garden Development Officers here at ELGT. While this is a sad time for us, we want to reflect on the brilliant work by the people who have been involved in making Edinburgh a greener and happier place to be.

Some success stories that we have been particularly proud to be a part of are:

  • African and Caribbean Christian Fellowship at Carlton Hill -Developed a unique community space next to the Nelson Monument
  • Cairn Housing Association at Madelvic Square, Granton – Roof garden created for the residents enabling them to socialise outdoors
  • Ravencroft Teen+ in Gilmerton-Worked with cared for teenages to encourage them to be outdoors more.
  • Whinpark Medical Centre – Created a garden for people within the community
  • Drylaw Young Persons Centre – Encourage young people to learn about food and how to cook it.
  • North Edinburgh Dementia Care, Seagrove Centre-Ran fun sessions to help them enjoy being outside
  • Penumbra in Gilmore Place-Encouraged social interact with people recovering from poor mental health
  • The Action Group at Leith Links -Helping people with learning difficulties to live independently by developing their skills.
  • Pilton Equalities Project: Developed an outdoor space for them to socialise (below).

Over the years we have had lots of very positive feedback:

“I just want to say a big thank you for all your support with the project, it’s been really enjoyable (and educational)” – Ryan , Drylaw Young Persons Centre

“Very helpful with members, getting everyone involved and doing it in a fun manner!, Members has a great time planting, encouraged them to be social and reminisce about their Gardening Days. Great Activity!” – Seagrove Centre.

‘I found the gardening sessions very therapeutic’ – The Action Group.

We will still have the online community gardening map on our website, for people to find their nearest community garden, but the change will be that they need to contact the garden directly.

This will be the same for potential volunteers as there will be no one at ELGT who is responsible for matching up volunteers with gardens.

We will also direct people to Social Farm and Garden who have great resources on their website for people who wish to start up their own community garden, the link is here

We are in the process of seeking funding elsewhere to enable the work to continue but if anyone has any suggested sources that could be suitable then please get in touch through info through info@elgt.org.uk

Donate Online here
Donate by text:
To give £10 Text ELGT01 £10 to 70070
To give £4 Text ELGT01 £4 to 70070

 

Emergency funding to tackle food insecurity

£500k for food distribution services around the country

An additional £500,000 will be awarded to the charity FareShare to step up redistribution of surplus food for people struggling to afford to eat.

The funding, which doubles investment in FareShare over the next two years, will help the charity mitigate against the potential consequences of Brexit on food supply for people in need.

The funding is in addition to the Scottish Government’s £3.5 million Fair Food Fund, established to tackle food insecurity.

Communities Cabinet Secretary Aileen Campbell visited Crookston Community Food Project in Glasgow today to meet with staff, volunteers and members of the community.

She said: “In a country as prosperous as ours, everyone should have access to affordable, nutritious food. Our further investment in FareShare and community groups like Crookston ensures we reach more of the people who need help the most.

“This extra funding will further help those who have been badly hit by the UK Government’s cuts, which mean that welfare spending will be reduced in Scotland by £3.7 billion in 2020/21.

“We are also taking this step to insure ourselves against the economic damage of a possible exit from the EU. It is shocking that we have to do so, but the deal proposed by the UK Government would make people poorer and undo much of the great progress we have made as a nation to tackle inequalities and poverty.

“Regardless of the Brexit outcome, we will continue our plans to tackle food insecurity.  Scotland is the only country in the UK to routinely monitor food insecurity using the UN’s recommended measure and we are continuing to address the underlying causes.”

The Fair Food Fund aims to ensure that everyone can feed themselves and their families and reduce reliance on emergency food provision. In 2018-19 the fund was increased from £1 million to £1.5 million, and will be £3.5 million in 2019-20.

FareShare is a UK-wide charity which redistributes surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, to frontline charities and community groups.

 

 

Politicians urge Santander branch closures rethink

Santander bank has confirmed that it is to close 140 branches across the UK. Three branches in Lothian are to close: Morningside Road and Leith Walk in Edinburgh and George Street in Bathgate. Continue reading Politicians urge Santander branch closures rethink

Save Leith Walk setback as report recommends Drum proposals

The community campaign working to save historic sandstone buildings on Leith Walk is calling on councillors to represent the wishes of the community and vote against the demolition and proposed development when they meet next week. Continue reading Save Leith Walk setback as report recommends Drum proposals