Tag: Children and Families

Further investment to tackle child poverty in Scotland

Ensuring support is available where and when families need it

TEN charities will receive a share of a £20 million fund in 2026-27 to deliver wide ranging support to improve wellbeing, boost incomes, and help parents towards employment as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to eradicate child poverty.

The charities involved estimate that up to 35,000 families could benefit from the Scottish Government’s package of whole family support, spanning almost all of Scotland.

The beneficiaries include:  

  • Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom), which will expand its support into new areas of Scotland, such as Dundee, to pair parents of neurodivergent children with a Family Adviser to help boost incomes and improve children’s outcomes
  • Home Start Caithness which will bring together nine organisations to provide one-step gateway to financial and wellbeing support in the region
  • Borders Community Action who will work with 30 local charities under a new partnership to embed support in rural communities, where poverty can be harder to identify and the right support more difficult to access
  • Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector which will coordinate a new partnership between more than 30 local organisations to deliver help specific to the needs of communities across the city

In Dundee, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met with families of neurodivergent children to hear about the difference that effective support at point of need can make. Mindroom will use this funding to expand into new areas of Scotland.

Ms Somerville said: “We have made great strides in our ambitious mission to eradicate child poverty. Within the powers we have, we have boosted incomes while delivering a transformational cost of living support package.

“But we know that more needs to be done, which is why we are driving whole family support. This is about making sure that people can access the help they need easily, as simply as possible, and as quickly as possible.

“To remove barriers, we need to empower local charities and local people and bring them together with other services so that there are clear and easy ways to access the right support, in the right place and at the right time.

“I am proud that this ambitious programme, which we will deliver in partnership with charities across Scotland, does just that.”

CEO of Mindroom Alan Thornburrow said: “We see the benefits that whole family support brings to parents and children on a daily basis, so we are pleased to receive support from the Scottish Government to expand our services, including into Dundee.

“Neurodivergent children and their parents have historically found it challenging to access the right support, in the right place – but we are determined to be there for them, tailoring services to meet their individual circumstances, and giving children the best start in life in the process.

“This funding will help us do so on a larger scale, enabling us to reach more people in varied communities. We look forward to pressing ahead with this work.”

tackling-child-poverty-delivery-plan-2026-2031Download

Children and families – Cost of Living Support Scotland

Information on benefits – Social Security Scotland

The funding comes from the Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund, announced as part of the latest Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Bringing Hope,Building Futures, and, subject to confirmation during the annual Scottish budget process, it is expected to continue on an annual basis while the programme is in operation.

The 10 organisations that secured funding following a competitive application process are:

  • Community Enterprise in Scotland Ayrshire
  • Borders Community Action
  • Early Years Scotland
  • Citizens Advice Scotland
  • Capital City Partnership
  • Salvesen Mindroom Centre
  • Big Hearts Community Trust
  • Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector
  • Home Start Caithness
  • One Parent Families Scotland

Drylaw Harvest Festival

SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 11am – 2pm

Free Family Day Out at Drylaw Harvest Festival! 🌾

Looking for something to keep the little ones entertained? We’ve got plenty planned for a fun-filled afternoon at our Harvest Festival on Saturday 5th September, 11am–2pm.

Here’s just some of what you can look forward to:

🏰 Bouncy castle

⚽ Spartans football games

🎨 Face painting

✨ Temporary tattoos

🎵 Musical statues with Bev

And that’s just the beginning! There’ll also be apple picking and pressing, garden activities, craft stalls, delicious food, a bake sale, tombola and much more to enjoy.

Best of all, it’s completely free to attend, so bring the whole family along and enjoy a fantastic day out with your local community!

Blackhall Playgroup: Closing Down Sale this weekend

BLACKHALL ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH

FRIDAY and SATURDAY 14 & 15 AUGUST

Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, Blackhall Playgroup had to close its doors for good on the 25th June 2026.

Blackhall Playgroup has made a significant contribution to the children and families of Blackhall & surrounding areas for over 40 years and the committee would like to thank all the employees, volunteers and committee members past and present for their commitment and dedication over the years.

As a result of this closure, we are holding a closing down sale. There will be a wide range of high quality equipment, toys, puzzles, games and books for early years and beyond.

🛍 CLOSING DOWN SALE 🛍

📍Blackhall St. Columba’s Church, Upstairs hall

🕙 Friday 14th August 12-4pm

AND

🕙 Saturday 15th August 10am-2pm

💰 Cash only

🅿️ If bringing a car then free parking available on the surrounding side streets (not on Queensferry Road) but please be considerate of our neighbours’ driveways 🙏

Come along & pick up a bargain 👍

Thank you for supporting us. ❤️

Child Abuse: Whistleblowing Bill progress

For those following the progress of #PE1979, the new Scottish Parliament Petitions’ Committee have just informed petitioners that our petition (and the other 7 legacy petitions) was privately discussed at their meeting on Thursday 25th June (writes ALISON DICKIE). 

There, committee members agreed to write to the Scottish Government about all legacy petitions.  

In February, PE1979 received the previous committee’s cross-party support when they continued our petition into the 7th parliamentary session to be ‘rigorously pursued’ by the new committee.

Since May’s election, we have continued to build on that support, and initiated meetings with individual and supportive MSPs before the summer recess.  

For nearly four years, petitioners have been calling for independent investigation of allegations relating to the mishandling of child abuse concerns by public bodies and an independent national whistleblowing office for education and children’s services.

Behind the petition’s calls are  families, former and current staff and others who have had their health, career and lives negatively impacted for raising child abuse concerns. Importantly, it includes CSA & CSE survivors who have been further traumatised by the mishandling of their disclosures.  

The allegations raised are diverse but include cases relating to serious and organised child abuse, with links across them.  Given this, petitioners continue to highlight the vital need for robust and independent investigation and an INWO to amplify the voice of whistleblowers and survivors and limit the marking of one’s own homework that thrives at public body, multi-agency and even national strategic group levels.  

Ultimately, we highlight how determining the child safeguarding truth directly relates to the level of confidence we can have in current child safeguarding – the systems and personnel in place – and particularly where the alleged predators still work with children and young people.  

It is our hope that the new Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, members of the Petitions Committee and MSPs across all parties will show an understanding of these serious matters and more urgently help to deliver the petition’s calls to better keep children safe.

We await the SG response and the committee’s deliberations with interest.  

Read more about it via the online briefings below.

#childprotection

#childsafeguarding

#childrensrights

#whistleblowing https://online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/pdqf/

https://online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/fcol/

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Deliberate Fires

In 2024-25 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended 10,468 deliberate outdoor fires. Many of these involve young people.

Make sure children & young people are aware of the risks of playing with fire and the consequences of deliberately setting a fire.

More: https://rb.gy/lwjmgh

fire0settingDownload

Scottish Children’s Services Coalition: Scottish Government child mental health spending target now impossible to meet

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), which campaigns to improve services for vulnerable children and young people, has warned that a Scottish Government commitment to allocate 1 per cent of frontline NHS spending to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) by the end of the previous parliamentary term in 2026 is now IMPOSSIBLE to meet.

Figures from Public Health Scotland for financial year 2024/25, published today (11th August), show that spending on CAMHS accounted for 0.84 per cent of frontline NHS expenditure, up from 0.81 per cent in 2023/24 and 0.75 per cent in 2022/23 (see Notes to Editors).

Spending on CAMHS in 2024/25 stood at just over £146.5 million, an increase of £12.5 million from just over £134 million in 2023/24. Given the scale of the remaining gap, it is now impossible to see how the 1 per cent target id to be achieved in 2025/26, the final year of the previous parliamentary term.

A separate commitment to allocate 10 per cent of frontline NHS expenditure to mental health services more broadly also looks unlikely to have been met. The latest figures show that this stood at 9.14 per cent in 2024/25, compared with 9.03 per cent the previous year and 8.53 per cent in 2022/23.

The commitments to direct 1 per cent of frontline NHS spending specifically to CAMHS and 10 per cent to mental health services overall were made in the Scottish Government’s 2021 Programme for Government.

When the commitments were made, in financial year 2021/22, spending stood at 0.66 per cent for CAMHS and 8.66 per cent for mental health services more broadly.

While spending has increased since then, the pressures on children and young people have also intensified. The long shadow of the Covid pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and persistent poverty in Scotland’s most economically disadvantaged communities have all contributed to the scale of the mental health challenge.

With the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government due in September, the SCSC notes that this is a critical opportunity to reaffirm these commitments and set out a clear and credible plan for delivering them.

A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “While there has been progress in increasing investment, the figures are clear: the Scottish Government is falling short of its commitment to spend 1 per cent of frontline NHS expenditure on children and young people’s mental health services. The wider commitment to spend 10 per cent on mental health services also remains unmet.

“These targets matter. They reflect the scale of investment needed to address Scotland’s growing mental health challenges and ensure that children and young people can access the support they need, when they need it. Against the continuing impact of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and poverty, the need for action has never been more urgent.

“With the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government due in September, there is a critical opportunity to reaffirm these commitments and set out a clear and credible plan for delivering them. We urgently need to see the necessary investment put in place to meet the 1 per cent CAMHS and 10 per cent wider mental health spending targets.

“But increased spending must go hand in hand with a decisive shift towards prevention and early intervention. Mental health needs to be at the heart of policymaking across government, tackling the underlying causes of poor mental health and ensuring support is available before children and young people reach crisis point.

“The Programme for Government must therefore turn these commitments into action. Scotland’s children and young people cannot afford further delay.

“Meeting these spending targets must be treated as a priority, backed by sustained investment and a clear timetable for delivery.”

New programme at Dr Bell’s

📣Our new programme is live! 📣

If you live in the Leith Community, have at least one child under the age of 5 or an expectant parent then you can sign up to some of our fantastic groups.

To sign up for our groups please follow the link –

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/dr-bells-family-centre…

Children First offers ‘lifeline’ support for parents and carers as children head back to school

As children across Edinburgh head back to school this week, Children First is reminding parents and carers that support is available now and all year round for families facing challenges.

The start of a new school year can be an exciting time, but it can also bring additional pressures for children and families. For some, returning to routines, managing anxiety, navigating friendships, dealing with financial worries or accessing the right support can feel overwhelming.

Children First’s support line offers free and confidential practical, emotional and financial support to families across Scotland. Parents and carers can contact the team at any time on 08000 28 22 33 or through webchat.

The charity’s support line has seen increasing demand, with close to 14,000 people* benefiting from support over the past year with concerns including mental health, money worries, family relationships and online harm.

Mum Laura and her son Sean** recently received support from Children First after facing challenges at home. Laura described the service as a “lifeline during a very difficult time”.

She said: “From the beginning, the support I received made a significant difference. My support line worker, Jenny, immediately understood our situation and provided advice that was practical, relevant and completely tailored to what was actually happening at home.

“For the first time in many years of seeking help, I felt truly listened to and supported with guidance I could realistically put into practice.

“I genuinely cannot say enough about how much this support has helped. The support has been consistent, thoughtful and effective and has made a lasting difference to both my life and my son’s.”

Children First’s chief executive, Mary Glasgow, added: “Children First’s support line regularly hears from parents and carers from across Edinburgh that are finding raising their babies, children and teenagers harder than ever.

“The return to school can bring a mix of emotions for children and families. While some children look forward to seeing friends and getting back into a routine, others may feel anxious, worried or unsure about the months ahead.

“Whatever challenges families are facing, Children First are here to help. Our support line team provides compassionate, expert support on a wide range of issues, including financial worries, mental health, family relationships and accessing practical support.

“You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out. If you’re unsure where to turn, we’re here for you.”

Children First helps children, their families and the people that care for them by offering emotional, practical, and financial support in their homes, communities and through its national support line.

Visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline to start a webchat with one of the team and find out more.

Tweedy the Clown returns to Edinburgh with his brand new solo show for all ages

Following the success of a 2025’s tour of Tweedy’s Massive Circus, Scottish clown Tweedy is back with a brand new solo show at the iconic purple cow. The show has just received a Gold Festivals Award EFFTA from the Fringe Theatre Awards.

This year, Tweedy’s Massive Solo Show finds Tweedy battling mischievous props in a series of increasingly absurd situations. The props have lives of their own, his limbs rebel against him and a sentient Siri starts playing up. No matter the mess he gets into, he can always find a creative way to get out. 

Renowned for his warmth, ingenuity and impeccable comic timing, Tweedy the Clown is a household name in the southwest of England, where he regularly performs with Giffords Circus. Tweedy is also the recipient of a British Empire Medal and an Honorary Fellowship Award from the University of Gloucestershire.

Audiences from one to a hundred and one alike will delight in Tweedy’s repertoire of comedic talents, which have made him one of the most respected and popular clowns the country currently has to offer.

Tweedy’s Massive Solo Show

Dates: 6 – 30 Aug (except 17 and 24)

Times: 10:15 am

Venue: Underbelly’s George Square Gardens (Udderbelly)

Tickets: £12.00 – £22.00