Shared reading has lifelong benefits that every child should experience.
But our research shows that children whose parents or carers like reading themselves are more likely to develop a love of reading.
That’s why it’s so important we support all families to enjoy stories together!
Scotland can speed up progress to keep its promise to care-experienced children by addressing the unequal provision of “family group decision making” according to authors of a new report from Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity.
Family Group Decision Making in Scotland found that while a majority of professionals who offer these services (60%) identified improving outcomes for children, including keeping children out of care, as a key strength, a third of local authorities have no family group decision making provision. Where services are in place provision is patchy, with an average of only two family group decision making coordinator posts per local authority.
Children First’s research included an online survey of children’s services professionals across Scotland, a review of how family group decision making fits with Scottish law and policy and learning from other countries about the impact of the approach. The research identifies a strong commitment from a range of professionals to family group decision making but says the impact for children is limited by an unclear legislative and policy framework and a lack of sustainable funding.
Earlier this year, the Promise Oversight Board warned that the Scottish Government’s ambition to make sure care-experienced children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected by 2030 is at risk of being missed.
At the time, the Oversight Board called for family group decision making to be consistently available across the country, saying: “there is a need to ensure it is available to everyone who would benefit from it wherever they live in Scotland, and that it is sustainably funded.”
Linda Jardine, Director of Children and Families at Children First, said: “If, for any reason, you were unable to care for your own children, you would want them to have the opportunity to be cared for safely by loving members of your wider family or a close friend. Yet too many children in Scotland are still going into care without that chance being fully explored through family group decision making.
“Our research shows there is a clear place for family group decision making within Scotland’s care and protection system and a strong commitment from a range of professionals to helping children and families benefit from it. But weaknesses in legislation, policy and funding arrangements create barriers which stop children that need family group decision making from accessing it. With the clock ticking closer to 2030 it’s time to seize this untapped opportunity to make faster progress towards keeping the Promise.
“The forthcoming Promise Bill is a key vehicle for the Scottish Government to clarify the place of family group decision making in legislation by ensuring it is consistently offered before compulsory interventions, such as children’s hearings.”
Read the full report Family Group Decision Making in Scotland.
As the mental health crisis rages throughout our nation, the Scottish Government continues to fail to address the crucial role of occupational therapy for our forgotten citizens (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP).
As Scotland contends with an escalating mental health crisis, it is heartbreaking to see the Scottish Government neglect the crucial role of occupational therapy in supporting our citizens. This oversight leaves countless individuals without the essential care they need to overcome their challenges and lead fulfilling lives. We must urgently address this gap and ensure that occupational therapy receives the recognition and support it deserves.
The shortage of occupational therapists in Edinburgh and across Scotland is truly distasteful. These professionals play a crucial role in helping individuals overcome physical, emotional, and social challenges, allowing them to achieve their full potential. The growing demand for occupational therapy services highlights the need for increased support and investment in this vital field.
Occupational therapists are essential in enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities, mental health issues, and other barriers to daily living. Their work improves individual well being and strengthens our community by encouraging independence and resilience.
In Edinburgh, the need for occupational therapists is particularly severe. According to the Scottish Health Survey, more than 1 in 3 people in Scotland are affected by mental health problems each year. Furthermore, in a report conducted by the Scottish Action for Mental Health, over 50,000 people were admitted to hospital with mental health conditions in 2023/24.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for more occupational therapists to provide timely and effective care. The impact of occupational therapy extends beyond individual patients. By helping people regain their independence and participate in daily activities, occupational therapists contribute to the overall health and well-being of our community.
Occupational therapists operate in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and community centres, providing support to individuals of all ages. In Edinburgh, iThrive’s mental health and wellbeing strategy emphasises the importance of supporting and promoting mental health in addition to addressing mental illness.
Occupational therapists are at the forefront of these efforts, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Despite the critical role of occupational therapists, there is a significant shortage of these professionals in Scotland. The Mental Health Inpatient Census 2022 revealed that there were 2,959 mental health, addiction, and learning disability inpatients in NHS Scotland at the time of the census.
This represents an 11% decrease compared with the 2019 Census and a 24% decrease since the first Census in 2014. The number of available beds for mental health, addiction, and learning disability patients has also been consistently decreasing, with a 12% decrease in available beds from the 2019 Census. These trends highlight the growing need for occupational therapists to provide essential care and support to those in need.
In a recent conversation with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, I heard about the ongoing shortage of occupational therapists having far-reaching consequences. It leads to longer waiting times for patients, reduced access to services, and increased pressure on existing healthcare providers.
This delay in care can have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of young people, making it even more critical to address the shortage of occupational therapists. We also discussed the need to expand the therapy workforce and improve early intervention, supporting people to be economically active.
To address this urgent need, we must prioritise the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
This requires increased investment in education and training programmes to ensure that we have enough qualified professionals to meet the growing demand. Additionally, we must provide competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain skilled occupational therapists. By investing in these professionals, we are investing in the future of our community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Furthermore, we must raise awareness about the importance of occupational therapy and the critical role these professionals play in our healthcare system. Public campaigns and early educational initiatives can help to highlight the value of occupational therapy and encourage more individuals to pursue careers in this field. Through promoting the benefits of occupational therapy, we can help to build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
The need for occupational therapists in Edinburgh and Scotland is urgent and cannot be ignored. Here, we must value the life-changing power of occupational therapy. Let us work together to address this critical issue and build a healthier and more inclusive future for all.
Everyone is invited to the LifeCare Spring Fair this Saturday 26 April, 1030-1330.
Come along to our fully accessible community hub on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge to enjoy a wander around our stalls, indulge in some delicious home baking, pick up some new plants or raffle tickets and help support our charity!
FREE Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund
Teas, coffees and morning rolls will be available from our cafe.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has laid the ‘The Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2025’ which increases the Scottish Government’s borrowing limits to a cumulative total of £3 billion for capital and £629 million for resource.
The Scottish Government’s borrowing limits (both annual and cumulative) are uprated annually in line with inflation, as set out in the Fiscal Framework. As the cumulative limits are legislated for under the Scotland Act 1998, secondary legislation is required to make the annual changes. The annual limits are non-legislative so no legislative change is required to amend these.
Speaking after laying the Order, Mr Murray said: “I’m very pleased to have laid this Scotland Act Order which increases the Scottish Government’s cumulative borrowing limits to a total of £3.6 billion.
“The Autumn Budget provided an additional £4.9 billion for the Scottish Government, ending austerity. These borrowing powers are on top of the Scottish Government’s record funding settlement of £47.7 billion this financial year.
“We have reset the relationship with the Scottish Government, and this order is a key part of our commitment to maintain the devolution settlement.”
The Order will take effect on 30 June 2025. There will be a debate in the House of Commons before then.
The 2023 Fiscal Framework Agreement between the Scottish and UK Governments sets out the Scottish Government’s funding arrangements, including budget management tools such as borrowing powers.
Officials in both the UK Government and the Scottish Government worked together to deliver the Order, as they do with all Scotland Act Orders.
First Minister @JohnSwinney will represent Scotland at the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis.
The First Minister will travel to Rome to attend the funeral alongside heads of state and government from around the world.
