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Westminster: Biggest overhaul in a generation to children’s social care

The UK Government will today embark on major reform to end years of neglect of the children’s social care support system – breaking the cycle of late intervention and helping keep families together wherever possible so every child has the opportunity to thrive.

A wide range of new reform measures will be set out in Parliament to deliver better outcomes and a more secure life for children across the country. The government will empower social workers, and all those that work with children, to take action against children’s placements providers that deliver subpar standards of care at sky-high costs to councils and focus the system on early intervention.

It comes as local government spending on looked after children has ballooned from £3.1 billion in 2009/10 to £7 billion in 2022/23, with social workers all too often burdened by heavy caseloads, struggling to deliver the help that children and families need before problems escalate.

Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “Our care system has suffered from years of drift and neglect. It’s bankrupting councils, letting families down, and above all, leaving too many children feeling forgotten, powerless and invisible.

“We want to break down the barriers to opportunity and end the cycle of crisis through ambitious reforms to give vulnerable children the best life chances – because none of us thrive until all of us do.

“We will crack down on care providers making excessive profit, tackle unregistered and unsafe provision and ensure earlier intervention to keep families together and help children to thrive.”

One of the most entrenched challenges facing children and social workers is some private providers, that are siphoning off money that should be going towards vulnerable children, making excessive profits or running unregistered homes that don’t meet the right standards of care.

According to analysis by the Local Government Association, there are now over 1,500 children in placements each costing the equivalent of over £0.5 million every year, while the largest 15 private providers make an average of 23 per cent profit.

New rules will require key placements providers – those that provide homes for the most children – to share their finances with the government, allowing profiteering to be challenged. Increasing financial transparency will ensure the providers that have the biggest impact on the market don’t unexpectedly go under and leave children without a home.

There will also be a “backstop” law to put a limit on the profit providers can make, that the government will introduce if providers do not voluntarily put an end to profiteering.

Not-for-profit providers and those backed by social investment are being called on to come forward to set up homes to strengthen the system.

To protect quality and safety in children’s homes, Ofsted will also be given new powers to issue civil fines to providers, working more quickly to deter unscrupulous behaviour than with existing criminal powers.

More widely, the government is beginning the process of rebalancing the whole children’s social care system in favour of early intervention, giving every family the legal right to be involved in decisions made about children entering the care system.

Further plans for funding for children’s social care including investment in preventative services, are set to be laid out in the coming weeks in the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “It is positive to see the Government building on recent progress following the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and pursuing an approach rooted in what we know works for children and their families.

“We are particularly pleased to see an ongoing focus on early help and family networks, and a strong commitment to tackling profiteering and other problems in the market for children’s social care placements.

“Moving forward, progress will be limited by the significant funding and workforce challenges within children’s social care, councils and amongst partners more widely.

“It is vital that the Government uses the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure that all those working to keep children safe and to help them thrive have the resources they need to do that well.”

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “Every child deserves to grow up safe, happy, healthy and engaged in their communities and in their education. With this Bill we have an opportunity to repair how we treat childhood in this country.

“Children are paying the price of a broken social care system that allows profits over protection. They are enduring things no child should ever have to: living in isolation in illegal children’s homes, often at enormous cost, deprived of their liberty without due process, often surrounded by security guards instead of receiving love and care.

“Children in the social care system today are living week to week in limbo. They need action without delay, not plans or strategies, so I welcome the urgency with which this government is setting out plans to tackle some of the most entrenched challenges. There must be no limits on our ambition for these children and I will look forward to working closely with ministers to push for radical reform.”

Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector said: “These new powers will allow Ofsted to do more to make sure all children’s homes are safe and nurturing places, and to combat illegal and poor-quality homes quickly and effectively.

“We welcome these reforms and stand ready to deliver the Government’s new asks as soon as possible.”

Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said: “We are pleased to see the government taking this next step towards reforming the children’s social care market, in line with our recommendations.

“Our market study found multiple concerns – including a shortage of appropriate places – which need to be tackled to ensure vulnerable children and young people are getting the homes they need. We will continue to work with the government to make sure the plan delivers longstanding improvements.”

Other key measures set to be announced today include:

New powers for Ofsted to investigate multiple homes being run by the same company, acting on the recommendations made in response to the vile abuse uncovered at the Hesley group of children’s homes.
Delivery of the manifesto commitment to introduce a consistent child identifier, making sure information can be shared between professionals so they can intervene before issues escalate.
The requirement for every council to have ‘multi-agency’ child safeguarding teams, involving children’s schools and teachers, stopping children from falling through the cracks.
The requirement for all local authorities to offer the Staying Close programme – a package of support which enables care leavers to find and keep accommodation, alongside access to practical and emotional help, up to the age of 21, ending the cliff-edge of support many experience at 18. 
A new duty on parents where if their child is subject to a child protection enquiry, or on a child protection plan, they will need local authority consent to home educate that child.

The government will continue to work closely with the sector and local authorities as these changes are introduced to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children and young people, and their families.

Space to Grow: Children First launches free emotional health and wellbeing support for children

Children in Edinburgh and Glasgow can now access free face-to-face emotional health and wellbeing support from Children First thanks to funding from BBC Children in Need, in partnership with The Children’s Society and MACS Supporting Children and Young People.

Glasgow and Edinburgh are two of 13 areas chosen to host the new Space to grow programme, which aims to support around 6,000 children aged 8 to 13 over the next two years across the UK.

From November, Children First will be able to extend its existing services and reach in Scotland’s two largest cities, working with schools and other local partners to help even more children.

The service isn’t just for children. Parents, carers, and school staff will also receive resources to help them talk about tough topics with youngsters. Parents and carers across Scotland will also be able to access help for any young person they are worried about via Children First’s support line on 08000 28 22 33.

Space to grow specifically targets children who are often underrepresented in emotional health services, including those from the global majority, young carers, and LGBTQ+ youth. Alongside direct support, the programme will build an evidence base to advocate for improvements in emotional health and wellbeing services.

Debbie Noble, assistant director at Children First, said: “At Children First we’re passionate about protecting Scotland’s children. So, we’re delighted to be working with BBC Children in Need, the Children’s Society and MACS through the Space to grow partnership to give thousands of children hope and a brighter future.

“Any adult in Scotland who is worried about a child’s emotional health and wellbeing can call our support line, 365 days a year for help and advice, or contact us via our website – www.childrenfirst.org.uk.”

Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “We’re thrilled to launch Space to grow and support so many children before they reach crisis point.

“The £1 million from Children in Need lets us reach children who often miss out on early help. We look forward to seeing thousands more children happier, healthier, and thriving by the end of the programme.”

Dr Alex George said: “I was honoured to meet with the brilliant team at The Children’s Society back in May to present them with the BBC Children in Need A Million & Me Award.

“It has been a pleasure to follow their journey since and see them make great strides in the early intervention approach to mental health in such a short amount of time.

“I look forward to seeing their continued impact in the space with the launch of the programme, inspiring safe and regular conversations around mental and emotional wellbeing”.

Scotland has highest rate of accidental death in the UK, warns new report

People are more likely to die due to an accident in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK – the rate of accidental death is up 57% over the last decade
Fatalities on Scottish roads are 46% higher than the UK
Accidents cost the UK £12 billion every year – £6 billion in NHS medical care and £5.9 billion in lost working days
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’, which reveals new data into rising accident numbers and calls on the Government to implement a National Accident Prevention Strategy to save lives, boost the economy and free up capacity in the NHS

Scotland is home to the highest rate of accidental death in the UK – currently 56% higher than the UK’s overall rate of accidental death and 67% higher than the rate in England, meaning people are far more likely to die in an accident in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK according to a new report* launched by RoSPA, ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’.

As well as the tragic human loss, preventable accidents cost the UK a massive £12 billion every year due to lost working days and medical care. RoSPA is calling on the Government to implement a National Accident Prevention Strategy to save lives, boost the economy and free up capacity in the NHS.

RoSPA’s new report reveals that the rate of accidental death in Scotland has risen by 57% in the last decade and accidents now take over 2,500 lives each year.

This increase in the number of accidental deaths in Scotland can be seen across almost every type of accident.

Despite positive steps such as the successes of Water Safety Scotland and the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance, the recent abolition of Home Safety Scotland shows that the Government is still not taking a sufficiently robust approach to the nation’s alarming rise in accident rates.

	Number of accidental deaths in 2022	% rise in accidental death rates, 2013 to 2022	Rate of accidental deaths per 100,000 people
UK-wide	21,336	42% increase	32 deaths
England	16,765	40% increase	29 deaths
Scotland	2,677	57% increase	49 deaths
Wales	1,206	41% increase	39 deaths
Northern Ireland	688	56% increase	36 deaths

Highest likelihood of fatality on Scottish roads

People are almost twice as likely (46%) to have a fatal transport-related accident in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. This substantially higher fatality rate in Scotland exists across car users, pedestrians and motorcyclists – with people in cars 166% more likely to be killed in an accident driving in Scotland than they are elsewhere in the UK. Pedestrians are 96% more likely to be killed in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK and motorcyclists are 51% more likely to be killed in an accident on Scottish roads than in the rest of the country.

Other types of accidental deaths highest in Scotland

Tragically, Scotland isn’t just home to the highest rates of fatal road accidents – its non-transport fatal accident rate is also more than twice (57%) as high as the rest of the UK. Death from accidental poisoning is 139% higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK. There has been a sharp spike in drug-related deaths in Scotland since the early 2010s, which has one of the highest rates of drug deaths in the developed world, although this has begun to fall in recent years.

Death from accidental drowning is 59% higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK. This is partly due to ease of access to inland water, which creates more opportunities for drowning but is also compounded by lower water temperatures, making the risk of cold-water shock higher.

Death from exposure to smoke, fire or flames is 42% higher than the rest of the UK. This rate reflects the higher rate of dwelling fires in Scotland, which has been falling for several years but remains much higher than England and Wales.

Death from accidental fall accounts for 42% of all accidental deaths in Scotland, so the fact that they are almost twice (45%) as likely in Scotland than the rest of the UK is significant. The reasons for this aren’t recorded, but it could be due to rugged terrain and wetter conditions, and potentially higher proportions of people living in flats or apartments.

Cause of accidental death	Rate in Scotland compared to the UK as a whole	Rate in Wales compared to the UK as a whole	Rate in Northern Ireland compared to the UK as a whole
All types of accidental deaths	56% higher	22% higher	14% higher
Transport-related	46% higher	18% higher	34% higher
Transport accident – car occupants	166% higher	5% higher	88% higher
Transport accident – pedestrians	96% higher	35% lower	142% higher
Transport accident – motorcyclists	51% higher	78% higher	20% higher
Non-transport related	57% higher	22% higher	13% higher
Poisoning	139% higher	6% higher	10% lower
Drowning	59% higher	10% lower	71% higher
Exposure to smoke, fire or flames	42% higher	34% higher	18% higher
Falls	45% higher	24% higher	37% higher

Falls are the most common cause of accidental death in Scotland

RoSPA’s data reveals that like the UK as a whole, falls are the most common cause of accidental death in Scotland (42%), followed by poisonings (40%).

Most common cause of accidental death in 2022 (UK wide)	Most common cause of accidental death in 2022 (Scotland)
1.Falls – 46%	Falls – 42%
2.Poisonings – 26%	Poisonings – 40%
3.Other – 13%	Road traffic / transport – 7%
4.Road traffic / transport – 7%	Other – 5%
5.Threats to breathing e.g. choking and suffocating – 3%	Threats to breathing e.g. choking and suffocating – 2%
6. Drowning – 1%	Drowning – 1%

Accidents cost the UK almost £12 billion every year

As well as personal pain and injury, accidents put a huge strain on the NHS, costing at least £6 billion annually in NHS medical care – not including ambulance callouts, surgery or long-term treatment.

Across the UK accidents led to around 5.2 million bed days, costing the NHS an estimated £5.4 billion last year. In addition, accidents resulted in around 7 million Accident & Emergency (A&E) visits across the UK last year, costing a further £613 million, bringing the total cost of accidents to the NHS to at least £6 billion annually.

Accident-related injuries are also a drain on the economy and prevent people from working. The combined cost to UK businesses is £5.9 billion, due to lost output and indirect management costs.

Ten times more working days lost due to accidents than strikes

Across the UK in 2022/23 7.7 million working days were lost by those who were unable to work after an accident as they’d been admitted to hospital, or by their carers who took time off work to be with them. A further 21 million working days were lost by those who had to attend A&E after an accident. In total in 2022/23 accidents led to almost 29 million lost working days across the UK – 10 times more than were lost due to strikes (2.7 million lost working days) in the same year.

RoSPA is calling for the Government to create a National Accident Prevention Strategy to save lives, boost the economy and free up capacity in the NHS.

Read RoSPA’s full report, ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’.

Steve Cole, Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs Director at RoSPA, said: “Scotland is facing an accident crisis. It has the worst rates of accidental death than anywhere else in the UK.

“Scots are substantially more likely to suffer a serious accident today than they were 20 years ago. We must take action now to stop further preventable deaths and serious injuries – accidents are avoidable and do not need to happen.

“Even those who have never been involved in an accident are still suffering, as increasing numbers of accidents are choking the UK economy and engulfing the NHS – taking up bed space, money, time and resources that could be directed to other serious illnesses.

“Our new report revealing the growing numbers and types of fatal and life-changing accidents across the UK unveils a new public health scandal. By implementing a National Accident Prevention Strategy to sit across government departments problems can be tackled at their core, with a joined-up approach to cover all types of accidents – whether they happen at home, on the road, at work or in public.

“For too long we have accepted the economic and social consequences of accidents, and we’re still paying the price. We are calling for a National Accident Prevention Strategy to make Scotland a safer place to live.”

Dan Evans, Chief Executive at Speedy Hire, said: “We take health and safety extremely seriously, and it is a source of immense pride that we have been recognised for our excellence in keeping colleagues and customers safe.

“For us, colleague safety doesn’t begin and end at the workplace door, which is why at Speedy Hire we take a ‘whole person, whole life’ approach. This has never been more important to do so, as RoSPA’s report reveals people are far more likely to suffer a serious accident at home than they are at work.

“Both the cost of accidents to peoples’ personal lives and to businesses is far too high, so we must act now to keep people safe and support economic growth.”

Dr. James Broun, Research Manager at RoSPA and author of ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’, said: “Our major review of all accident data uncovers the full scale and true cost of accidents for the very first time. This data is unique; it looks at all types of accidents across the UK, as well as individually across all four nations.

“Accidents aren’t currently monitored or recorded to the same extent as other health issues, but the findings are alarming. Accident rates across the UK, as well as within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – are rising steeply. We’ve brought together this data to reveal the reality of this crisis and to impress upon the Government that action must be taken to reverse rising accident figures.”

RoSPA are calling for the Government to seize the initiative and create a National Accident Prevention Strategy – a first for the UK. And, because it’s impossible to arrest a crisis like this without a plan, RoSPA propose that the National Accident Prevention Strategy is the specific responsibility of an individual minister without a portfolio. This would enable the minister to treat accident prevention holistically, with the authority to attend the Cabinet and the ability to convene cross-departmental committees.

The National Accident Prevention Strategy must:

Take a joined-up approach which cuts across departments and provides strategic leadership to guide policy making at national level

Empower individual departments or agencies to craft and implement more detailed policies

Propose ambitious and evidence-led but realistic policy interventions to reduce accident rates

Cover the core sectors directly affecting the UK economy: home, work, product, leisure and transport

Be forward-facing to address emerging challenges, like the climate crisis, the rise of AI and the UK’s ageing population

Address inequalities like deprivation, age, ethnicity and region

Take a four-nations approach to data sharing and collaboration

Strengthen Government’s data collection and publishing processes relating to accidents

Home Secretary to announce major policing reforms

A new Home Office unit to monitor performance of police forces will be announced by the Home Secretary this week

A dedicated government unit to improve performance across policing and make our streets safer will be announced by the Home Secretary this week.

In a speech at the annual conference hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association for Police and Crime Commissioners on Tuesday, Yvette Cooper will outline the new unit as part of a roadmap for major reform that will create a new partnership between the Home Office and police.

To ensure communities can have confidence in their local police force, the unit will harness national data to monitor performance and direct improvements, building on the existing work of the College of Policing, policing inspectorate (HMICFRS), NPCC and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

For the first time in over a decade, a dedicated Home Office unit will be introduced to directly monitor police performance, including in high-priority areas such as tackling violence against women and girls, knife crime and improving neighbourhood policing.

Officer time spent on the frontline will be monitored as part of the intelligence drive, drawing on local police data. Police response times will also be standardised and measured, a key issue for the public that is currently not consistently monitored and managed. Through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, the government is committed to ensuring officers are spending more time being visible and accessible in our communities, and minimising administrative tasks.

The Home Office will use police-recorded data on child sexual abuse to help forces understand and tackle the hidden harms in their areas. This will support forces in identifying how they can do more to build victim confidence, draw offending out of the shadows and bring perpetrators to justice.

There will also be a focus on police standards, with data on misconduct, vetting and disciplinary procedures collected, monitored and acted on to ensure forces are rooting out those who are not fit to serve and help restore the public’s trust in their local officers.

With a more comprehensive picture of how policing is delivering for its communities, the Home Secretary will take a more hands-on approach to driving improvements, working with policing partners to ensure that the appropriate support, and where necessary, direct intervention is being identified and delivered.

The new performance unit will complement the current system, with PCCs taking on a renewed focus on strengthening local policing and preventing crime in their areas.

In her speech, the Home Secretary is expected to say: “This is a critical juncture for the future of policing. And if as a country we are to remain equipped to fight the fast-changing challenges of today and tomorrow, then we know policing must evolve.

“We have a huge opportunity ahead of us to reset the relationship between government and the police, to regain the trust and support of the people we all serve and to reinvigorate the best of British policing.

“Strong and consistent performance is critical to commanding public confidence. I truly believe that working together we can mobilise behind this mission – and deliver a fairer, safer country for all.”

The Home Secretary is expected to set out her vision for policing, and how this focus on data and performance is just part of an ambitious programme to bring the founding principles of policing by consent and preventing crime to the 21st Century.

The need for reform has the backing of police leaders, with the government committed to working with them to bring the change needed to reconnect policing with the communities they serve.

It builds on a government manifesto commitment to give the policing inspectorate (HMICFRS) greater powers to intervene in failing forces and on the important work that they, the College of Policing and PCCs are doing to boost standards and drive improvement.

Over 6 million children face going to bed cold this winter

Research reveals over 6 million British children could be facing cold bedtimes this winter, with half of parents (49%) worried their children will be cold at home when temperatures drop.

The new data indicated that almost a quarter of Brits (24%) cannot keep their house warm when it’s cold, no matter what they try.

As a result, a third of parents (32%) admit they’ve had to put their children to bed in a cold room and a further 39% worry the temperature of their house is bad for their family’s health on cold days.

The research, conducted by the home heating experts at SpeedComfort, reveals the scale of British homes’ cold crisis, with many homes falling short of recommended healthy temperatures.

On average, Brits anticipate the temperatures inside their homes will drop to 12.8°C this winter. This is five degrees colder than the recommended healthy temperature for adults to live and sleep in (18°C) and three degrees colder than the minimum safe temperature for infants to sleep in (16°C), according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The impact of this on families across the UK is significant. According to the NHS, consistently being cold can have a detrimental impact on you and your family’s physical health.

The latest findings support this. 43% claim being cold at home causes them physical discomfort, over a quarter (28%) say they’re ill more often when it’s cold, and 41% report feeling down when they’re cold.

In addition to affecting families, the research found that cold temperatures are set to have a big impact on the UK’s most vulnerable citizens, with older people most likely to be cold at home this winter (37%).

This is concerning, given that they are more susceptible to the mental and physical effects of the cold. Half of over 65s say the cold causes discomfort and almost the same proportion (49%) state it makes them feel low (8% higher than the average Brit).

Wouter Heuterman, CEO of SpeedComfort, comments: “With the cost of living crisis continuing to affect so many families across the UK, it’s heartbreaking to see that so many people are worried about keeping their families safe and warm at home this winter.

“The cold has a huge impact on how we feel both physically and emotionally. For families with children and vulnerable people, the impact of cold temperatures is even further exacerbated.

“So, if you’re worried about the health of your family this winter, it’s well worth considering alternative ways of keeping your home warm when temperatures drop. To help with this, we’ve created a guide for staying warm without increasing energy usage this winter.”

Find out how to stay warm on a budget this winter.

It’s Book Week Scotland!

18th – 24th NOVEMBER

The line-up for Book Week Scotland 2024 has been revealed, themed around ‘hope’. From 18–24 November, the annual celebration of books and reading, will see events spanning arts, poetry and photography to music, food, nature and languages, as well as a new free book, Scotland’s Stories: Hope.

A whole host of authors and artists will feature including illustrator Johanna Basford, Jackie Kay, Jenny Colgan, Rachelle Atalla, Axel Scheffler, artist Julie Brook, Linda Cracknell, musician Duncan Chisholm and a cartoonist drawalong with Mollie Ray.

The Book Week Scotland 2024 programme has been launched during Libraries Week, underlining the important role libraries play in our communities and during Book Week Scotland itself. Run by Scottish Book Trust, and now in its 13th year, Book Week Scotland is supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Launching Book Week Scotland, Johanna Basford commented: “I am so excited to be part of Book Week Scotland this year! Books are magical and I love that with the turn of a page, you can be whisked away on an adventure or find yourself in a whole new world.

I’m so looking forward to being part of this huge, nationwide celebration of books and helping to spread a few smiles!”

Book Week Scotland 2024 programme highlights:

65,000 free copies of Scotland’s Stories: Hope will be distributed all over Scotland
New and exclusive Jenny Colgan story serialisation: Readers can subscribe to a brand new piece of writing by best-selling author Jenny Colgan. Sign up for free daily instalments to be delivered directly to your inbox throughout Book Week.
Landscapes of Hope and Inspiration, featuring three of Scotland’s best artists – visual artist Julie Brook, writer Linda Cracknell and composer and musician Duncan Chisholm: In conversation, chaired by Scottish Book Trust’s CEO Marc Lambert, the trio will explore their relationships to the landscapes that nurture, inform and animate their work and discuss how making art in Scotland’s rich and varied landscapes enables them find hope for the future. Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket Gallery, 7-8.30pm Monday 18 November
Pleasures of Reading with Jackie Kay: the former Makar will share books that have played an important role in her life and Dr Sarah McGeown, University of Edinburgh, will share fascinating research on the benefits of reading for pleasure. Portobello Bookshop, Wednesday 20 November, plus a further event at Bishopbriggs Library, Tuesday 19 November.
Society of Authors Drawalong with Mollie Ray: Friday 22 November
Johanna Basford: known for her intricate hand-drawn art and international colouring book success, the ‘queen of colouring’ will host an event at The Duncan Rice Library, Sunday 24 November.
Interactive Reading Map: make sure you add what you’re reading during Book Week, and discover what others are reading. We’ll share our findings on what Scotland is reading right now, later in the year.

In schools:

Authors Live with Axel Scheffler: This event will be broadcast live to schools across the UK, offering an unforgettable experience with the illustrator behind The Gruffalo. Tuesday 19 November.
Universal book gifting for young school children: Every P1, P2, and P3 child in Scotland will receive a specially curated book bag filled with books and activities, thanks to Bookbug (P1) and Read, Write, Count (P2 & P3).

Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council said: “Scotland has a rich cultural heritage; we are recognised across the globe as the home of some of the world’s finest writers. 

“SLIC is delighted to partner with Book Week Scotland allowing us to celebrate the power of reading, connecting people to writers and resources and with a brilliant programme of events lined up in libraries across the country, there’s something for everyone.

“Visiting your local library opens countless opportunities to rediscover all that local libraries have to offer.”

Alan Bett, Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: “Once again Book Week Scotland announces a fantastic list of literary events taking place across the country, for all ages and interests.

“The programme includes some of Scotland’s most recognised and respected writers such as Jackie Kay and the hugely popular novelist Jenny Colgan, alongside exciting new voices like Rachelle Atalla. Book Week Scotland is a true celebration of reading, which makes this year’s positive theme of hope entirely relevant.”

Marc Lambert, CEO Scottish Book Trust, commented: “We are excited to share the programme for Book Week Scotland 2024, featuring a wonderful range of authors and artists. This year’s theme for Book Week Scotland also shines a light on libraries who are themselves beacons of hope.

“Book Week Scotland continues to operate on a limited budget due to funding cuts, and we are, as ever, incredibly grateful to our partners including the Scottish Library and Information Council, library services, independent bookshops, schools and the many other community partners we collaborate with to make Book Week Scotland happen. A love of reading brings much pleasure, many benefits, and indeed hope, to individuals and the communities they live in.”

Julie Brook, visual artist, commented: “Book Week Scotland and their work all through the year is a passionate advocate for making books and the world of books accessible to everyone of all ages.

“My hope is by bringing artists of other disciplines into the conversations we can open up new ways in which to approach reading.”

For more information on events, listings and how to get involved, visit:

bookweekscotland.com.

Follow the conversation with #BookWeekScotland on social media.

Rose Street Brewery is back open and better than ever!

The Rose Street Brewery, just a short stroll from Edinburgh Castle, officially reopened this Autumn following an extensive 3-week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look.

The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside. Changes include additional seating for guests including the installation of new booths for those that want a cozy and relaxed feel, an additional TV with high seating options for guests that want to watch the upcoming Autumn Tests at Murrayfield Stadium and some much needed awnings and heaters outside to keep guests dry and warm on those Dreich Scottish days.

Rose Street Brewery is renowned for brewing the famous beer, Auld Reekie, in the old Brewhouse upstairs (now the kitchen) from 1983-1994, with Rose Street itself being referred to as a drinking Oasis ever since.

The Rose Street Brewery is proud to be a part of these historical roots and continues to uphold this reputation today, welcoming guests from near and far to come and enjoy a drink in this historical landmark

Guests can tuck into all the pub classics, a chicken and ham pie, classic fish and chips and prime steak burgers, as well as a delectable range of Sunday roasts to delight discerning guests.

Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks’ menu, boasting a wide selection of craft beers, ciders and new to the menu – cocktails.

Speaking about the refurbishment, General Manager Derek Meechan at Rose Street Brewery said: “Rose Street Brewery is an historic part of Rose Street, and it is fantastic that we are having a major refresh of the premises before a very busy time of the year.

“The works that are being completed will make it more efficient and also more appealing to our guests than it is now, which is a major achievement. Myself and my team can’t wait to open, and welcome back our guests into the new and improved Rose Street Brewery.”

Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, a number of new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests.

For more information about Rose Street Brewery please visit Nicholson’s Pub in Edinburgh | Rose Street Brewery (nicholsonspubs.co.uk)

Edinburgh firm doubles donation target in 23-mile charity trek

Wealth management team raises thousands in Fife coastal path challenge

A LEADING wealth management firm has more than doubled its fundraising target after completing a 23-mile charity walk from Elie to St Andrews.

Tweed Wealth Management members walked the Fife coastal path and raised £4,852, smashing their fundraising target of £2,000.

The Edinburgh-based firm’s charity challenge was in aid of St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, which backs hundreds of carefully selected projects that make a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives.

Alison Welsh, Co-founder of Tweed Wealth Management, said: “Our annual charity challenge is a cornerstone of our company culture. It not only allows us to contribute to important causes but also strengthens the bonds within our team as we work together towards a common goal.

“The St James’s Place Charitable Foundation does such vital work, and being able to contribute to that in our own way is something I’m very proud of. The trek was challenging but the team powered through, and to see us smash our initial fundraising target is extremely rewarding.”

The St James’s Place Charitable Foundation is the charitable arm of the wealth management firm St James’s Place, and supports disadvantaged children, hospices, mental health initiatives, and cancer support charities across the UK and abroad.

Tweed Wealth Management has a longstanding tradition of supporting the foundation through its annual charity challenge which is a broader commitment to giving back to the community.

In previous years, the team has undertaken feats, including a hike to the summit of Beinn Alligin, and cycling around the island of Arran, raising substantial funds in the process. This year’s walk has proven to be equally successful, with the team raising thousands over its fundraising target.

Alison added: “Knowing the difference we could make gave us all the motivation to get our trainers on and make sure we seen it through. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to our challenge so far.”

To donate to Tweet Wealth Managements charity challenge, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/tweed-wealth-management-1721047509467

Craigroyston Primary School Christmas Fair and Market

FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 12.45 – 3pm

If you can help out, either by volunteering, or possibly contributing to our tombola/raffle, please get in touch with the Parent/Carer Council or hand your contribution in to the School Office.

Thank you

The Small Magician: Scottish Opera launches free vocal education resource

On Monday (18 November), Scottish Opera is launching a new, trauma-aware, inclusive, accessible vocal education resource, created by Education Artist in Residence, Lea Shaw, entitled The Small Magician, which enables participants to healthily challenge and build their vocal technique and knowledge from the comfort of their own home or chosen space.

The launch coincides with National Self-Care week, which runs from 18-24 November and isan annual awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations, with this year’s theme being ‘Mind & Body’.

Lea is an award-winning Black/BIPOC mezzo-soprano from Colorado, who lives and works in Scotland. A Scottish Opera Emerging and Associate Artist since 2021, she has performed in many recent Company productions including Ainadamar, Il trittico and Opera Highlights.

With The Small Magician, Lea aims to empower participants to embrace their voices (both singing and speaking) and practice, as part of a wider sense of well-being and an awareness of mental and physical health.

The guidance draws on classic pedagogy, scientific research, and Yoga and embodiment practices, and Lea has created a series of short videos, audio guides and workbooks covering breath-work, texture, diction, intonation, pattern, embodiment, and recovery which can be accessed for no charge on Scottish Opera’s website.

Designed to be a safe place to explore and foster curiosity, The Small Magician puts emphasis on engaging with the voice as a form of play, with every voice being valid.

The written resources are presented in PDF form so that they are easily accessible and printable if desired, whilst contents come in a digestible quantity of exercises, with the time needed to work through a session being flexible.

Lea also designed the resources using trauma aware and responsive principles, understanding that anyone coming to the project, either as a facilitator or as a participant, will have their own complex history. That history does not have to be shared with anyone to be valid, and the impacts they feel do not need to be justified.

Knowing this, the language of the project is open, encouraging, and positive, and there is a large emphasis placed on participants’ personal sovereignty, autonomy, and intuitive practice.

By being aware of all of this, The Small Magician can respond to the needs of participants by providing tools that can be of use, and by having a clear practice of open, non-judgemental communication, creating resources in direct response to these needs as they are shared.

Lea is currently working on more resources that are still in the research and development stage and will be added to The Small Magician in the near future, including workbooks for changing voices (transitioning voices, and for menopausal and menstruating people), lesson plans for teachers, warm-up books for choirs and in-person workshops.

Lea Shaw said: ‘I gave The Small Magician this title as it originated with the idea that working with the voice and its relationship with the brain and body is indeed, magical!

‘It has always been important to me to feel part of something bigger, and to make others feel welcome in whatever space I’m in, in whatever way I can. Working with my voice has given me so much: a passion to share with others, a home within myself, and a community that gives me confidence and context. I know how crucial it is to have a positive working relationship with your voice, both artistically and in life as a whole.

‘The Small Magician is my way of opening my practice outward, and creating a support net and toolbox for anyone who wants to explore their voice: those who are be right at the beginning of their vocal learning, those who want to engage with their voice in a holistic way, or those who may not know where to start.

‘While many desire to engage with voice-work, they may not always feel that it is accessible to them. This can be due to the cost of accessing lessons or resources, a fear of an unfamiliar person critiquing a very vulnerable part of themselves, other accessibility needs that are not considered, or because of the events that led them to feeling voiceless from the outset: harsh words from authority figures or friends, their right to personal autonomy and consent being denied.

‘Their wishes and needs being disregarded or ridiculed, or anything else. Because our voices are so linked to our internal landscape and our mental wellbeing, it is important to me that this project is as safe a space as possible in approach and method.

‘My wish is that you feel empowered to use your voice as an extension of your authentic self, and to revel in the small magic that makes you, and your voice, unique.’

Jane Davidson MBE, Director of Outreach and Education at Scottish Opera said: ‘Lea’s beautiful and empathetic programme aligns perfectly with a key objective that underpins much of the past 50 years of our work with schools and communities; namely, to encourage people of all ages to learn about the unique relationship between their voice and their sense of ‘self’.

‘We use the phrase ‘to have a voice’ in everyday conversation, but what does that really mean? Our voices are one of the most precious ways in which we can express ourselves – through the spoken word and through song, as individuals and as a group. Regular singing can ground us and help us to feel more at ease with ourselves, and others. Learning to use The Small Magician’s simple vocal, physical and mindfulness techniques is a wonderful way to help us negotiate the sometimes complex world we live in.’

More information about The Small Magician is available from 18 November at:

www.scottishopera.org.uk/the-small-magician/

To find out more about National Self Care Week visit: