A lot of pregnancies are unplanned. It’s common to feel stunned, scared, embarrassed or isolated when facing an unplanned pregnancy (writes LORNA FROST).
Deciding whether or not to continue with the pregnancy can be very straightforward and obvious for some people while others can find it a difficult and complicated decision. It’s important that the decision as to whether or not to continue with a pregnancy is made by the person it most affects.
Early medical abortion involves taking two sets of pills. Since April 2020, in light of COVID-19 and the importance of minimising risks of spreading the virus, abortion care providers in Scotland have been able to allow early medical abortions (taking both sets of pills) at home. This avoids travel to GPs and hospitals to access abortion services. It is a way of keeping abortion safe and accessible.
Now the Scottish government is seeking views on the future arrangements for early medical abortion at home. The responses will affect whether the current arrangements continue once there is no longer a risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Surveys have found that most people are pro-choice. They think that deciding whether or not to continue with a pregnancy is a personal decision that should not be interfered with. If you agree please take 10 minutes to respond to the Scottish government’s consultation on early medical abortion at home.
Please do this now – the deadline for responses is 5th January 2021.
Just click on the link for guidelines which suggest how to respond.
● Actor and broadcaster Cel Spellman launches a nationwide art competition, Creative Earth, in collaboration with COP26 and WWF
● Competition launched at a surprise event in a school in Great Yarmouth
● Young people from across the UK are competing for a chance to have their artwork
displayed at the COP26 Climate Change conference in Glasgow
● The work seeks to inspire world leaders, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to create a better planet for future generations
An art competition has been launched for young people across the UK, with the winners having their artwork displayed at the COP26 Climate Change conference next year in Glasgow.
The Creative Earth competition is part of a UK Government initiative, Together for our Planet, and launched in collaboration with the WWF to encourage young people to use the power of art to capture their hopes and dreams for the planet in the future.
To kickstart the competition, Cel Spellman, star of Netflix’s White Lines and BBC Radio 1, surprised a group of year seven students at Ormiston Venture Academy in Great Yarmouth via a special Zoom call.
Cel invited the children to be the first to get creative. The students were then given the opportunity to talk about their chosen artwork creations with Cel and explain why it is important to them.
Cel, who is a WWF ambassador said: “The Creative Earth art competition is such a unique and exciting opportunity for children from across the UK to have their voice heard and show world leaders exactly the kind of world they want to live in, inherit and pass on to future generations.
“I’m asking as many under-16s as possible to please get involved and be part of something special as we aim to create a better, greener, sustainable future and call on world leaders to commit to making that a reality and bring about the change we so desperately need to see, reminding them it’s young people who will live with the consequences of our actions now.”
Creative Earth artwork entries will be judged by a celebrity panel and COP26 President Alok Sharma in Spring 2021.
Special prizes will be awarded for the best artwork in each age group. Judges will also select the best pieces to be displayed at the COP26 summit in November next year.
Alok Sharma, COP26 President said: “Across the world, young people are leading the call for climate action and we want to make sure this is properly recognised at COP26 in Glasgow. That is why I hope young people from across the country will seize this opportunity to showcase their vision for a greener future.”
Simon Gilbert-Barnham, Principal at Ormiston Venture Academy, said: “It’s not every day that pupils get a chance to influence the UK Prime Minister and world leaders!
“This competition is an incredible opportunity for young people to present their vision for a greener, healthier and happier planet. Everyone at Ormiston Venture Academy is over the moon to be taking part in the Creative Earth art competition and we can’t wait to see the entries that come in from young people around the country.”
The Together For Our Planet campaign aims to work with businesses, civil society groups, schools and the public across the UK to help build awareness around the importance of tackling climate change in the run up to the COP26.
Find out more about the competition and enter now on the Together for our Planet website.
An alliance of leading providers of services to vulnerable children and young people has called on the Scottish Government to ensure that those with complex and high-level needs receive the support they are legally entitled to.
The call from the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), which campaigns to improve services for these children and young people, comes as the latest statistics highlight a dramatic decline in the number of children with additional support needs (ASN), such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD, receiving a so-called co-ordinated support plan (CSP).
Despite a Scottish Government promise that there would be no reduction in the proportion of pupils receiving them since their introduction in 2004, there has been a significant fall in the number of pupils with CSPs, from 3,448 in 2012 [1] to 1,534 in 2020 [2], amounting to a drop of 55.5 per cent (publicly funded primary, secondary and special schools). This is a reduction from 2.9 per cent to 0.7 per cent of those with ASN and currently amounts to 0.2 per cent of the pupil population.
This is against the background of an almost doubling in the number of those with ASN from 118,034 in 2012 to 226,838 pupils in 2020, amounting to 32.3 per cent of pupils.
In May 2019, the Scottish Government announced that it will review the use of CSPs, which the SCSC had also called for, but despite this being more than 18 months ago, this has yet to be published.
A CSP is a legal document, the only education plans that are legal documents, requiring services such as education, health and social work to work together to give a child or young person the support they need. It provides some guarantees of entitlement to additional resources and legal redress, placing statutory duties on local authorities to review and ensure the provisions contained within it are being met.
While those with ASN come disproportionately from the most deprived neighbourhoods, they have a lower proportion receiving a CSP when compared with those from the least deprived neighbourhoods.
This raises concerns that those from deprived communities who are entitled to a CSP are not receiving this required legal support.
Local authorities are more reluctant to provide a CSP than previously, viewing them as cumbersome and time-consuming. They instead prefer to use other types of plans, such as Child Plans, which are not legally enforceable. Many local authorities are now not providing them unless the parents or carers request them, reinforced by the fact that cuts in health, education and social work services mean that authorities are reluctant to provide such support.
Parents or carers on the other hand believe statutory plans are important to ensure the needs of children and young people are properly recorded and reviewed.
This is in contrast with England where the number of those receiving an education, health and care plan (EHCP), the CSP equivalent, is 3.3 per cent of the pupil population, fifteen times the rate of that in Scotland and is on the increase and amounts to 27.3 per cent of those with special education needs (SEN).[3]
This is an important difference between the countries. While more than a quarter of SEN pupils in England have a statutory support plan, less than one per cent of ASN pupils in Scotland have equivalent legislative protection.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is clearly of some concern that we are experiencing a decline in the use of CSPs, which are designed to support those with the most complex needs.
“This is despite an increase in the numbers of those requiring such support and is in contrast with south of the border where the number of those with the equivalent of a CSP is more than a quarter of those with special educational needs while in Scotland it is less than 1 per cent for those with additional support needs.
“The disparity in those with a CSP between those in the least and most deprived areas is troubling, as if we are to close the educational gap, it is key that we target the resourcing to those in the most deprived communities.
“We are also concerned about the disparities that exist between local authorities on such support, which clearly raises concerns about how such a policy is being implemented and a lack of standardisation of who is identified as having ASN and who get a CSP.
“It is vital that the Scottish Government urgently publishes its review of CSPs, which has now been ongoing for more than 18 months and working with local authorities ensures that those who require a CSP get it, making parents and carers aware of their legal rights.”
Children and young people at Edinburgh’s Sick Kids hospital were treated to a Christmas surprise from some famous faces when players from Hibs, Hearts and Edinburgh Rugby joined them on a video call.
Players including Christoph Berra, Craig Gordon, Ryan Porteous, Martin Boyle and Grant Gilchrist took time out from their busy training schedules to Zoom with some of their biggest fans, tell festive jokes and answer all their Christmas questions.
The Zoom calls brought lots of smiles and laughter to the wards, thanks to revelations including Christoph Berra confessing that he is receiving a mop from his mum this Christmas and Ryan Porteous and Martin Boyle treating one young fan to a rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
The footballers and rugby players would usually visit the Sick Kids to meet children and their families in person in December, which is unfortunately unable to happen this year due to Covid restrictions.
The Zoom calls were organised by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), which supports the Sick Kids and works hard to make Christmas magical for those visiting the hospital every year.
Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at ECHC, said: “The hospital visits from Hibs, Hearts and Edinburgh Rugby are always a huge hit with the children and young people so it’s a real shame these weren’t able to go ahead this year.
“However, we would like to say an enormous thank you to the players for taking time out of their day to chat with some of the children and young people via Zoom. Some of the kids are massive football and rugby fans so it really made their day to meet their favourite players.
“Christmas is a very special time of year and we work hard to ensure no child or young person misses out on the magic of the festive season. This year has been harder than ever for those at the hospital, so we are incredibly grateful to Hibs, Hearts and Edinburgh Rugby for continuing to support us and for spreading so much joy and Christmas cheer with the calls.”
ECHC runs a living advent calendar throughout December, which sees a different door in the hospital opened each day to reveal a surprise visitor or activity.
The advent calendar activities are limited this year by restricted visiting; however, the charity is determined to make this Christmas as magical as possible for children and young people, with everything from a silent disco, a festive cinema experience and a visit from a real ballerina.
A new Bill which would allow children to take public bodies to court for breaches of their rights by incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law should be extended to include private sector and voluntary organisations who deliver public services, according to MSPs.
The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee said it supports the general principles of the proposed legislation, but called for the definition of public authorities to be widened to ensure organisations such as private schools and private housing, residential care and childcare providers are not excluded from the legal obligations in the UNCRC.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill legally obliges public authorities – including Scottish Ministers – to respect children and young people’s rights, placing them under a duty not to act incompatibly with the UN Convention.
In its stage 1 report, the Committee recommended that the Scottish Government consults the main stakeholders to investigate how the definition of a so-called “hybrid public authority” could be tightened to avoid similar issues arising as those experienced with the Human Rights Act 1998, where courts have defined the term narrowly and exempted private or voluntary bodies which carry out public functions.
Under the Bill, children and representatives acting on their behalf will be able to challenge public authorities in court for infringing their rights, and the new legislation will allow the courts to strike down legislation that is incompatible with any UNCRC requirements.
However, submissions to the Committee raised concerns about the accessibility of the existing courts and tribunals service to children, and the report called on Scotland’s top judge to reflect on this evidence and to provide an update on progress being made towards developing a “child-friendly” court system in preparation for the new legislation.
MSPs also urged the Scottish Government to amend the Bill so that courts and tribunals “must”, rather than “may”, take into account the whole of the text of the UNCRC and the first two optional protocols when determining a case, and to require courts and tribunals to ask for the child’s views on what would constitute an “effective remedy” in their case.
The Committee’s report further recommended that the Scottish Government amends the commencement provision at stage 2 to ensure the Bill comes into effect six months after Royal Assent.
The Bill also imposes a requirement on Scottish Ministers to make a Children’s Rights Scheme to set out how they will comply with the duties in the UN Convention, but MSPs want the scheme strengthened to include measures to support children with protected characteristics and vulnerable groups, access to advocacy, legal aid, human rights education and a child-friendly complaints mechanism.
Committee Convener, Ruth Maguire MSP, said: “This is a landmark piece of legislation which has the potential to put children’s rights at the heart of public authority decision-making.
However, we believe – as the evidence to the Committee has shown – that there are areas where the Bill can be improved.
“The Committee’s report calls on the Scottish Government to explore how the definition of a public authority can be amended at stage 2 to include those private sector organisations which provide public services, in accordance with the spirit and intention of the Bill.
“We also make recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for children and young people and ensuring judicial remedies for infringements of children’s rights are effective in practice.
“It is vital that children have their rights protected, respected and fulfilled as a matter of urgency, which is why we have urged the Scottish Government to amend the commencement provision to ensure this legislation come into effect six months after the Bill receives Royal Assent.”
A “child-friendly” version of the report, which has been published alongside the stage 1 report, can be accessed via the Committee’s Bill webpage.
To spread Christmas joy across the local community, Murrayfield Nursery has donated care packages to two Edinburgh care homes.
Parents, children and team members at Murrayfield Nursery gathered food and monetary donations to help create the care packages for Manor Grange and Struan Lodge care homes.
Food donations included sweet treats and Christmas decorations to lift the spirits of residents.
The team and children from Murrayfield then safely visited each care home to deliver their packages.
Murrayfield Nursery’s generous donation is part of an ongoing relationship between the care home residents and the nursery, who were involved in regular activities together prior to the pandemic as part of the nursery’s commitment to supporting their local community.
Rhonda Houston, Nursery Manager said: “We already have a relationship with our local care homes and wanted to bring some festive joy to them this Christmas, after what has been a challenging year for us all.
‘‘We were overwhelmed by the donations from our generous families, and the children enjoyed taking the gifts over to the residents. It’s so important to us to nurture this connection between generations.”
Murrayfield Nursery is part of the independent CC Nurseries group, which provides inspirational Early Childhood Learning and Care for over 500 families in settings across England and Scotland.
Thousands of families of disabled children in Scotland have received an additional £200 to help heat their homes this winter.
More than 13,000 families of a disabled child, on the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children, have had a Child Winter Heating Assistance payment. These payments were made automatically using information provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
As of Friday 11 December, a total of £2.5 million has been invested in Child Winter Heating Assistance payment.
Where a child has someone managing their benefits, Social Security Scotland has written to them to enable them to process this payment.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am delighted that we have successfully delivered our first disability benefit, the new Child Winter Heating Assistance.
“Getting this money to families as early as possible in the winter months will help them budget and balance the many financial pressures that they face at this time of year. For families of the most seriously disabled children and young people, who may need to heat their homes for longer periods, this can bring even more pressure in what is already a challenging circumstance.
“We are committed to making sure that people get everything they are entitled to. I would encourage families who think that they should have received this support and who haven’t had a letter yet to get in touch.”
Samantha Jones, from Helensburgh, who received the Child Winter Heating Assistance for her two children, Darren and Jacob, said: “I was very happy to see that Social Security Scotland were issuing these payments for children across Scotland.
“This will be a very helpful payment especially at this time of year for families like ours, this will really help and benefit our family and it’s very much appreciated.
“Having the extra money to help with heating costs is one less financial pressure that we have to think about on top of the cost of Christmas.”
Background
a client will qualify for Child Winter Heating Assistance if they live in Scotland and were in receipt of the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for children on at least one day between 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020
if a child has had their Disability Living Allowance highest rate care component award backdated to the Child Winter Heating Assistance qualifying week of 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020 they need to contact Social Security Scotland to get their £200.
if a family believes that they are eligible for this payment and they haven’t had a letter or a payment, they should contact Social Security Scotland from Tuesday 15 December by calling the Freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 or through web chat at mygov.scot/contact-social-security-scotland/
this is the first form of disability assistance to be introduced by the Scottish Government using its new social security powers.
financial support provided through the Child Winter Heating Assistance is in addition to the £100 COVID Winter Hardship Payment which will be made for each child and young person in receipt of Free School Meals on the basis of low income. These payments will be made by local authorities automatically for those eligible.
further support for anyone concerned about fuel bills is available from Home Energy Scotland. Home Energy Scotland are funded by the Scottish Government to provide free and impartial advice to help people to reduce their bills and to make homes warm and cheaper to heat. They can also make referrals for further financial support, including the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Anyone concerned about their bills can contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit their website at homeenergyscotland.org
Scotland’s least well-off families have seen a marked increase in their income from three Scottish Government benefits, according to an evaluation report published yesterday.
The evaluation of the three Best Start Grant payments shows that families on the lowest incomes were able to buy essential items for their children as a result of these new benefits.
Best Start Grant is available to families on low incomes as their children reach certain key stages. They are able to access this whether in or out of work as long as they get one of eight qualifying benefits or tax credits available through the Department for Work and Pensions or HMRC.
People receiving the payments said that the money helped them stop getting into debt or having to cut down on other essential household spending, such food and bills. People were able to use the money to help buy essential items for their children like cots and prams, as well as to arrange days out for their family or to buy books and clothing.
The most common qualifying benefit among recipients was Child Tax Credit (57,055), followed by Universal Credit (44,810), Working Tax Credit (23,560), and Income Support (18,030). Other qualifying benefits include Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit.
Parents and carers in and out of work who get benefits or tax credits are being encouraged to check if they are eligible and apply.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Our full Best Start Grant package has been in place since June 2019. I’m delighted that just a year and a half later that we are already getting feedback that this money is making a real difference to people’s lives.
“We continue to work hard to make sure that everyone accesses the support they are entitled to. I often hear families say that they don’t think that they can access this support because they are working. I’m glad to see so many families who are in work and on low incomes getting this extra boost. And I know that more families than ever are accessing benefits and this is important additional help for you too.
“I would urge anyone who gets a benefit or tax credits to check if you are eligible for these payments and to apply. And those eligible for Best Start Grant are now able to apply for the £10 per week Scottish Child Payment that will start in February 2021. Parents and carers can make sure they are getting everything they are entitled to by talking to the Money Talk team. This service and the Best Start Grant payments are there to help families maximise their income and to support efforts to tackle child poverty.”
Paula, from Forfar who received the Best Start Grant Early Years Payment for her daughter, Arwen 3 said: “I work 12 hours a week as a treasurer for our local church but because I also receive Universal Credit due to being on my own with two children, I qualified for the Best Start Grant Early Years Payment.
“It was easy and straightforward to apply online and money was paid direct into my bank account once the application was completed.
“I am very good at planning ahead and budgeting for uniforms or school shoes or normal shoes or just clothes and jackets, that kind of thing, so to receive that extra money was just a nice thing for the family and for us to spend time together.
“We received the payment during the summer holidays which was a great bonus, it let us have the opportunity to go away for a couple of family day trips to places like the safari park.”
During the course of the evaluation research, a recipient of Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment said: “I didn’t apply until after she was born because I just thought I’ll not get it.
“Because you do kind of think ‘och no I’m not going to, I’ll never get that’ and luckily when the baby was born I spoke to my friends a wee bit more and I was like ‘do you know what. I will’. What’s the harm? You pay your taxes all your life and work really hard so why shouldn’t you get something back?”
parents and carers aged 18/19 do not need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit if they are dependent on someone else, i.e. they are named on their parent or carer’s benefit claim. Parents and carers under the age of 18 do not need to be on any payments or benefits to qualify for Best Start Grant
Best start Grant is three payments to help families at key stages in a child’s life
Two Thirds of Scottish parents have noticed signs of regression in their children due to lack of peer play dates
36% found their child to become clingier following lockdown
84% of Scottish parents worry about finding the balance between educational and fun activities
Although Scottish parents are thankful that the second lockdown meant schools and nurseries would stay open, they are still finding that a lack of peer play dates has negatively affected their children.
According to the research conducted by Nick Jr. UK for Blue’s Clues & You!, the survey found that Scottish parents find peer play dates to be important for their child/ren’s development. Almost three fifths (59%) found that they gave their children an opportunity to interact with their peers and 43% felt it allowed their kids to learn whilst having fun.
55% of Scottish parents felt that due to continued lockdowns and tier regulations, the lack of peer play dates has affected their child’s confidence. Over a third (36%) noticed that their child/ren had become clingier and 21% said their children have become shyer. Three fifths (60%) have also seen their children’s happiness affected due to lack of time spent playing with friends, with 44% of Scottish parents noting their child/ren need more attention and under a quarter of children (23%) are crying more.
With playdates a no-go, over a third (39%) of Scottish parents are spending more time with their children now than they did during the first lockdown and 18% of respondents admitted becoming their child’s friend and developing a closer bond has been the best bit of spending lockdown with their child.
However, when it comes to friendship 27% of Scottish parents rely on playdates to allow them an opportunity to speak with other adults and 14% use the time to discuss any parenting woes they have with other parents with children of a similar age. Scottish parents have also seen a negative impact on their mental health, with 24% not being able to attend parent-baby groups and almost a third (31%) not having a break from parenting.
Comparing the first lockdown to the second lockdown, it’s no wonder that 84% of Scottish parents have struggled to find the right balance between educational and fun activities. More than 1 in 10 (14%) of Scottish parents have admitted that they have spent less time playing with their child, as they’ve run out of ideas of things to do and 31% noted that the cold and wet winter weather has made it harder to find activities to keep their children occupied.
With activities becoming repetitive and the lack of interaction with peers taking its toll, 66% of Scottish parents have noticed signs of regression. Almost half (47%) of Scottish parents said their children are having more tantrums / meltdowns, 27% had experienced sleep walking or trouble with sleeping and over a quarter (27%) had become fussy with their food.
Founder of the Good Play Guide, Dr. Amanda Gummer noted: “Parents have really struggled during lockdown when it comes to juggling childcare and their day to day lives.
“It’s understandable parents have seen regression in their children, as peer play dates are a great chance for children to learn and play with those of a similar age and help with their development in their younger years.
“Blue’s Clues & You! is a great way for children to continue learning through play whilst at home and unable to attend playgroups. Offering interactive and educational activities, puzzles and clue-led adventures for kids to participate in, children are learning as they play.
“If you are noticing signs of regression such as playing with toys you think they’ve grown out of or a change in eating habits, remember this is all natural. Times of change see children seek comfort so use this as an opportunity to spend more time together and provide them with a good role model to copy.”
Scottish parents are also concerned that the lack of interaction their kids are having with their peers during lockdown will negatively affect their development. 23% of parents are worried that they won’t know how to interact with other children, with a further 36% believing their child will be unhappy and 37% thinking they’ll lack confidence.
However, for Scottish parents, lockdown certainly hasn’t been all doom and gloom.
Over half of those surveyed (59%) enjoyed spending quality time together as a family in lockdown, 44% enjoyed seeing their child learn new things and gain a greater independence and 26% had a greater appreciation for teachers. 86% of Scottish parents have also found they are doing more Christmas arts, crafts and activities with their children to boost spirits.
For parents looking for inspiration of fun and educational exercises to help with their child’s development, as well top tips and parenting advice visit nickjr.co.uk/letsplay for useful tips and entertaining ideas to help your child continue to learn through play.
Blue’s Clues & You! airs daily at 8.30am and 4.30pm on Nick Jr. (Sky Ch. 606) Visit nickjr.co.uk/letsplay for more.
Seven top parenting tips from Dr. Amanda Gummer:
When coping with child regression, don’t pressure your child to achieve – even if you know they could do certain tasks before. Try to meet them where they are at and support them in moving onto their next milestone naturally.
In times of change and stress, children (and adults) seek comfort and reassurance. Make lots of time for familiar, comforting activities such as stories, film nights, baking etc. to minimize unnecessary change.
To ensure your children develop in to well-rounded and polite individuals, play is an important part. Playing with toys such as a play kitchen will give you an opportunity to practice please and thank you.
Look at your own manners and communication style and make sure you’re happy for your children to copy it. Use playtime as an opportunity for them to see you sharing things and taking turns. Playing games with your children lets them see you playing fairly and losing graciously at times.
There’s no such thing as the wrong weather when it comes to playing outdoors, just the wrong clothes. Make sure you’ve got a change of clothes if you’re playing outside and make it an exciting adventure rather then forcing them to go for a walk.
For siblings that bicker, remember it’s normal and actually helps them develop important skills. Leaving your children to resolve the argument themselves (as long as there is no clear victim / bully) is important with regards to social development. Children will learn skills such as negotiation, compromise and empathy.
If the bickering persists, give kids activities that require cooperation and collaboration. The reward for them working together is better than anything they’d be able to achieve on their own.
As the nights draw-in and the lights begin to twinkle, join us online for a day full of free fun and creative activities for all the family, with readings, DrawAlongs, music and more!
Enjoy stories from Maggie O’Farrell, Alan Bissett and Nadine Aisha Jassat, put your pens to work with illustrator Eilidh Muldoon, hear music from Tinderbox Collective and experience tales written by our Citizen groups in North Edinburgh, Musselburgh and beyond!
Free and online on Saturday 12 December. Find out more:
