Children and Families – Page 158 – The NEN

Edinburgh Leisure supports families to ‘Get Into Summer’

Thanks to funding from the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Leisure were able to bring back a summer of fun safely to their venues across this city and supported 126 children and families living on low incomes to get active and enjoy their summer.

The Scottish Government released funding to local authorities across Scotland to help address the negative impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland.

The priority for this funding was to provide opportunities that allowed children and young people to socialise and reconnect with peers, get active and most importantly have fun, during the summer.

Edinburgh Leisure offered parents or guardians, living on a low income and wanted their child to have the opportunity to take part in fun, engaging and exciting sports this summer to apply for funded places.

Spaces were available on Edinburgh Leisure’s swimming, gymnastics, dance, and tennis programmes, with no cost to the family applying. The coaching programmes took place in a variety of venues across the city, at various dates, with some one-day sessions and some full-week activity programmes.

Edinburgh Leisure also offered 320 spaces for families to attend their AquaDash Extreme and Clip n Climb sessions.

Families who were eligible for the programme included children who receive school uniform and meal grants, care experienced children, young carers, children whose families are in receipt of Universal Credit and children supported by a child’s plan.

Tommy George, Community Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “For many families, finances are really tight and getting involved in activities during the holidays can be prohibitive due to cost.

“Thanks to funding from the City of Edinburgh Council, however, we were able to support families living on low incomes to ‘Get Into Summer’ by getting active, learn key skills, build confidence and esteem, as well as having fun, in a safe environment.”

Edinburgh Leisure also provided a free football programme for young people from S1 to S6 to take part in and a weekly free ‘Sport on the Beach’ session at Portobello for primary school-aged children.

Ben Macpherson encourages take- up of School Age Payment

Well done to all the children who took the big step of starting P1 this week!

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson is encouraging families with children born between 1 Mar 2016 and 28 Feb 2017 to apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment if they get tax credits or certain benefits.

The one-off payment of £252.50, administered by Social Security Scotland, is made to families when a child is old enough to start primary school. The payment can be used to buy everyday supplies like a new pair of shoes, books and school bags.

More than £10 million has been paid in Best Start Grant School Age Payments to families across Scotland since the benefit launched in June 2019.

Applications are currently open for children born between 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017. Parents or carers have until 28 February 2022 to apply.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is part of the package of five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland. The package includes Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods and is available to families receiving tax credits or certain benefits.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “As children enter education for the first time, it is vital that the youngest people in our society get what they need to thrive. Whether it be a new pair of shoes or books or paints for an art project, the Scottish Government is committed to providing extra help to give every child the best start in life.

“We know that covering the costs of starting school can be difficult. So, I am urging families who may be eligible to get in touch with Social Security Scotland to find out more.

“Even if you are deferring your child’s start date until next year or home schooling, please remember to apply before the closing date. We are keen to ensure parents and carers receive all the financial support they can apply for, such as a school clothing grant and free school meals.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people are supported and encouraged to access all of the benefits they are entitled to, and will invest in new partnerships between schools and advice services to help expand these vital links for families.

“I am proud that we are already delivering a social security system that is there for people when and where they need it, that is fair and straightforward to access, and that encourages and supports people to get the financial support they are entitled to.”

Glasgow-mum-of-three Becky Taylor successfully applied online for the payment ahead of her daughter Bella (aged 4) starting P1 at St Roch’s Primary School in Royston this week.

Becky said: “It can be hard at this time of year but the Best Start Grant School Age Payment covered everything we would need for Bella. I was able to buy her uniform, school bag and shoes as well as things like tights and socks.

“I was able to do the whole process online and it was easy. People should look into seeing if it is something they are entitled to and apply.”

Find out more by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or visit mygov.scot/beststart.

North Edinburgh options in the frame for Gaelic High School

Royal Victoria Hospital and Fettes Police HQ sites under active consideration

The City of Edinburgh Council is re-evaluating the feasibility of two sites in central Edinburgh for a Gaelic high school following internal discussions.

Council officers will work with partners to reassess the potential of the current Police Scotland headquarters at Fettes and the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital in Comely Bank as additional options for the home of a new Gaelic Medium Education (GME) secondary school.

The move comes after a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP and Education Convener Councillor Ian Perry and Vice Convener Alison Dickie in July to discuss the Council’s proposals for a dedicated GME high school on the Liberton site, which the Cabinet Secretary again welcomed as an excellent option.

The Councillors wrote last week to the Cabinet Secretary following their meeting last month to confirm that the two central sites will be re-assessed given concerns about ‘centrality’ raised by some parents during the development of plans for the Liberton site.

The letter makes clear that significant Scottish Government financial assistance, in the region of at least £48m for the build cost alone, as well as support to secure either site to make a more central option viable.

A report outlining these latest developments, and the letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary, will be presented to the Education, Children and Families Committee next Tuesday (24 August).

The report says that the proposal for a statutory consultation should be temporarily halted pending a response from the Scottish Government regarding the two central sites.

Cllr Perry said: “We had a very constructive and helpful meeting with the Cabinet Secretary last month and set out again our proposals to further the growth of GME in the Capital.

“Given the concerns some Gaelic parents raised over ‘centrality’, we are reassessing the feasibility of two possible sites – at Fettes and at Comely Bank. It must be stressed, however, that significant Government support would be required to make these viable options.

“Our number one priority remains identifying the best and most workable solution for a fully immersive GME high school for the city. In the meantime we are proposing temporarily halting the plans for a statutory consultation until we receive a response from the Scottish Government.”

Cllr Dickie said: “We’re fully committed to ensuring GME can grow and thrive in Scotland’s Capital and we have welcomed the Scottish Government’s continued encouragement about our plans for a new and dedicated school at Liberton.

“It is vital though that we get this absolutely right for children and their families, and for the growth of Gaelic Medium Education in the city. Given then, the growing appetite for a more central location, we have made a decision to pause to re-evaluate previously visited options and their related barriers.

“As well as the substantial financial hurdle involved, we’d need certainty that the land would be available to meet the timescales involved. Most of all though, we need options that deliver the best educational outcomes for our children and young people.”

Be a PYCP Adventurer!

PYCP@PiltonYouthProj

Hey PYCP families and friends! Pretty soon we’ll be starting two new 10-week-blocks of the Adventurers for young people P5 to P7.

The activities will be on: Tuesday 3.30 – 5.00 and Thursday 3.30 – 6.00

To book a place: aga@pycp.co.uk 07305054162.

Back to School tips from Parent Club Scotland

Some great Back to School advice from Parent Club Scotland

It’s a big week ahead for most kids with the return to school and childcare settings.

If your wee one is going back or starting school for the first time you might be wondering …”how on earth are we all going to be up and ready in the mornings?!”

Mornings can be stressful at the best of times and even more so if you have been out of your normal routine during the summer.

Here are some simple, practical reminders of how we can free up a bit of time in the mornings by planning ahead the night before. (We all know these things are helpful already but handy to have them front of mind again if needed!)

For more advice and support on getting the kids prepared for a new routine again:

parentclub.scot/articles/going-back-to-primary-school

#ParentClub

#ParentClubTips

#BackToSchool

Early Learning and Childcare: Public Health ‘Blether’

Thursday 19th August from 4 – 4.45pm

The Scottish Government are hosting a Public Health ‘Blether’, facilitated by Education Scotland, aimed at staff working in the Early Learning and Childcare sector to support the understanding of new public health guidelines for the sector.

During the session you will have an opportunity to hear from leading public health professionals, who will aim to provide reassurance and an opportunity for those participating to ask questions and share thoughts.

This event will be held on Microsoft Teams and as there are a limited number of spaces. If you are unable to attend the live event, a recording will be made available for you to watch.

When registering, there is an option to pose a question to the Public Health panel, these questions will then be collated and arranged by theme. A representative will present these questions on the audience’s behalf or we may ask you to unmute your mic and ask your question directly.

This is your chance to hear about updated guidance, connect with colleagues and ask public health officials questions

https://bit.ly/3lTk4pr

Today at Leith Links: Family fun at Edinburgh Climate Festival

The Edinburgh Climate Festival 2021, a free, family friendly & community-led marketplace event taking place for the first time in Leith Links East today from 12 noon to 7pm.

It aims at celebrating and inspiring climate action. Featuring performances, stalls, kids’ and adults’ activities and more, this is not to be missed! 🌎 💚 ♻️ 🌳

Highlights of the ‘marketplace’ festival include:

• Family/Kids area 👪

• Market and stalls 🎪

• Background music, Live DJ 🎵♪

• Upcycling workshops ♻️

• Henna painting ✋

• Seed planting workshops 🌾🌱

• Storytelling and arts and craft 🎨

• Free clothes repairs 🧵 ♻️ 👚

• Free bike repairs 🚲 🔧

• Electric bike trials 🚴

• Free shop with clothes, books, shoes & more! 👚👠👗📚

• Free Yoga classes 🧘🏽‍♀️

Please join share the facebook event for more updates:

https://www.facebook.com/events/125587702982065

#EdinburghClimateFestival

Backing for Scotland’s Baby Box

Parents praise scheme on its fourth anniversary

Parents have overwhelmingly backed Scotland’s Baby Box. In an independent evaluation, 97% of parents rated the box and its contents as good.

Around 186,000 Baby Boxes will have been delivered to families by its fourth anniversary on Sunday (15 August). Uptake among expectant parents hit a record high of 98% in 2020.

In the evaluation, parents highlighted benefits of the box, including saving them money on essential items for newborns and helping with information on child health and development.

In the evaluation:

91% parents agreed that getting a baby box had saved them money on items they would otherwise have to buy
84% of parents said they had found the leaflet on safe sleeping useful
60% of parents felt the inclusion of books in the baby box had encouraged them to start reading with their baby earlier – younger, first-time and lower income parents were particularly likely to say this
66% of parents said they found the leaflet on breastfeeding useful and 68% found the leaflet on post-natal depression useful

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “The Baby Box is part of our commitment to making sure that every child, no matter what their circumstances, has the best start in life. I am delighted that so many parents continue to value the box, and that they and their babies are benefitting from it and its contents.

“It is encouraging to see that the positive impacts of the Baby Box are felt right across all families, but particularly among first-time parents, younger parents and families on lower incomes.

“This evaluation really highlights the positive impact it is having on parents and their newborns – a fitting tribute on its fourth birthday.”

Jackie Tolland, from Parent Network Scotland, said: “As a parenting organisation, we were delighted to be part of the launch of the Baby Box in 2017. Since then, we have heard many stories about how helpful and very much-needed the Baby Box has been to families.

“We continue to promote the Baby Box and thank the Scottish Government for keeping parents in mind at the start of their parenting journey. We appreciate all the support.”

Edinburgh to recruit more than one hundred new teaching staff

The city council is to launch a recruitment drive to boost the Capital’s schools with scores of new permanent teaching and pupil support roles available.

Adverts will go live in the coming weeks offering permanent positions for around 70 teachers and approximately 30 pupil support assistants to work in schools across Edinburgh as the city continues to recover from the pandemic.

The recruitment exercise comes after Edinburgh was allocated a share of £3m from £50m in targeted funding announced this week by the Scottish Government to hire 1,000 new teachers and 500 pupil support assistants across Scotland in the coming academic year.

Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener, said: “We know all teaching staff have been under enormous pressure during the pandemic and this extra funding is extremely welcome.

“I’m really pleased to say that we can push forward and use this much needed funding now so anyone interested should look out for our adverts to recruit for around 70 additional teachers and approximately 30 pupil support assistants in permanent roles in the coming weeks.

Councillor Alison Dickie, Education Vice Convener, said: “There’s no greater opportunity than helping to make a direct difference to the lives of our children and young people, and our teachers and pupil support assistants do that every day.

“After what has been the most stressful of times, this is a chance for us to employ more staff to work with our amazing and resilient pupils across Edinburgh, and to support the very best of educational and life outcomes for them.”

The jobs will be advertised through myjobcotland and the Council looks forward to welcoming the new recruits to their new school communities during the 2021/22 academic year.

Read all about it: free libraries open at PYCP

A group of young people at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project have been working over the summer holidays to design and build two Little Free Libraries for children in the local community.

The idea was brought to us by Alison McLuckie, a paediatrician working with children and young people in Edinburgh and Mark Stares, a research doctor based at the Western General Hospital.

Alison said: “In my work as a paediatrician, I understand the importance of early literacy and reading for pleasure, and we were thrilled to work with PYCP on the project”.

Alison and Mark and PYCP Youth Workers Aga, Caryn, Adrianna, Adele and other volunteers worked with young people aged 8 to 12 from the “PYCP Adventurers” group, taking the project from the idea stage to building both libraries.

The Adventurers group meet weekly and do all sorts of outdoor activities and learn how to use tools safely, so this was the ideal project for them!

The idea is that local families can take free books from the libraries which are positioned outside of the PYCP building.

A number of Little Free Libraries are all over Edinburgh, including in the New Town, Stockbridge, Starbank Park and Leith Links.

This has been a fantastic project and the young people at PYCP will continue to steward the libraries, making sure they are well stocked and looked after. Families are also welcome to bring a book to leave in return for taking a new one.

The libraries were officially launched on Tuesday (10^th August) by Bruce Adamson the Children and Young People’s Commissioner and Nick Hobbs from the office of CYPS.

Young people from the group met with Bruce and Nick and talked him through the design and building process. Bruce and Nick also brought along some books to put in the libraries which were greatly appreciated by the young people.

There are two Little Libraries outside The Greenhouse, both designed by and built with the Young Adventurers.

The first is aimed at children nursery to Primary 2 and is the design of a rainbow hot air balloon. The second is a Harry Potter library for children aged Primary 3 to 7.

Pilton Youth and Childrens Project