Children and Families – Page 27 – The NEN

CAMHS waiting times standard met for a year

Sustained improvement in mental health care for children and young people

Progress on waiting times for children and young people waiting for specialist mental health care has been maintained for a year, according to the latest statistics.

New figures from Public Health Scotland show that between July and September, 91.5% of children and young people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This exceeds the national standard of 90%.

CAMHS provides specialist NHS support for children and young people with serious mental health needs. To provide alternatives to this specialist service, over £80 million has been invested in community mental health services, plus £16 million a year for school counselling.

From this year, £15 million annually will go to local authorities to maintain community-based support for children and young people who need it.

Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “I welcome the continued progress in these specialist children and adolescent mental health services.

“Over the last year, these services have exceeded the national standard, with 91.5% of children and young people starting treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS in the latest quarter.

“This achievement is down to the dedication of our CAMHS staff, who work tirelessly to support families during some of their most difficult moments. We have invested significantly in strengthening services, increasing CAMHS staffing by more than 50% over the last decade and exceeding our commitment to fund 320 additional posts by 2026.

“Local CAMHS teams are responding quickly, with half of all children and young people beginning treatment within five weeks. We are also seeing positive signs, with the overall CAMHS waiting list decreasing by 5.3% in the previous year.

“While we continue working with Boards to reduce waiting lists, we recognise that services remain under pressure and that performance may vary in coming months. There is still more to do to ensure performance is consistent across the country, and we are supporting all NHS Boards to meet the standard and continue delivering improvements.”

Latest figures highlight 128 children waiting more than a year for mental health treatment

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling for parity of action and parity of spend as new figures highlight that 128 children and young people have been waiting more than a year for mental health treatment in Scotland.

These figures were highlighted in the latest waiting time statistics from Public Health Scotland published yesterday (2^nd December, indicating that 128 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending September 2025.

This is an increase from 115 for the same period last year.

Additionally, 277 individuals have been waiting between nine months and a year for treatment.

This comes against the background of a mental health emergency, with an increasing demand on services, exacerbated by the long shadow of the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.

The Scottish Government’s target, dating back to December 2014, is for 90 per cent of children and young people to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with overstretched and under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand.

However, despite this greatly increased demand, only 0.82 per cent of the total frontline NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2023/24 financial year, amounting to £134.188 million (real terms). This equates to just 82p in every £100 of the NHS budget.²

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that 128 children and young people have been waiting over a year for mental health treatment are extremely alarming.

“While the fact that the Scottish Government is meeting its waiting time target is to be welcomed, many children and young people are still waiting years for help, which worsens their mental health and is a sure-fire way to add to their pain.

“What we need is not just parity of esteem between mental health and physical health, it’s parity of action and parity of spend.

“We are facing a mental health emergency, and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living. This is also having a negative impact on classroom behaviour, affecting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.

“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to ensure the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people so that they can get the care and support they need, without lengthy waits.”

Utilita Energy Hub in Leith transforms into free Santa’s grotto

A Leith shop will be transformed into a magical Santa’s grotto this week – providing gifts to local children for free

Who: Santa Claus
What: A free event to meet Santa, take photos, and receive a small gift if on the nice list
Where: Utilita Energy Hub, 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA
When: Friday, 5 December 2025, from 11:30am to 3:00pm
Cost: Free, but please bring a food donation for a local food bank

Energy supplier, Utilita, will provide a different kind of energy this winter, transforming its Leith shop into a sparkling Christmas grotto on Friday, 5 December between 11:30am and 3pm.

The free event at the Utilita Energy Hub in Newkirgate aims to deliver relief to families facing a tough winter ahead, providing free presents to children as many families struggle with the cost of living crisis. Guests attending the festive day out are asked to bring one food item that will be donated to a local foodbank.

Gifts are aimed at young children up to the age of 10, but anyone is welcome to meet and take a photo with Santa Claus. There will be one gift per child, free of charge, while stocks last.

Natasha Baillie, Supervisor at the Leith Hub, said she is hoping the grotto will spread some festive cheer: “We’re looking forward to welcoming families and children to our Energy Hub this Friday, 5 December. Excited youngsters will get an opportunity to take photos with Santa Claus and receive a free gift between 11.30am and 3pm.

“There’s plenty on offer for visiting adults too – you will be offered a cuppa, as well as free and simple energy advice to help make your energy spend go further this winter. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item – if they can – which will be distributed to our local Food Bank.”

Utilita’s high street hubs make it super simple to manage your energy – no phone lines or online dashboards, just a friendly face to speak to. Whether you’re looking for account support, help to manage your spend or energy-saving advice, Utilita’s Energy Experts are on hand to help.

Utilita began a roll out of Energy Hubs in 2018 across the UK to provide a personal touch to their customer service, opening their Edinburgh branch in 2020. The hub has helped thousands of locals better control their energy usage as well as supporting various community initiatives.

The hub’s Community Room provides local groups and charities with a free, warm and safe space for them to hold meetings or community events, with complimentary WiFi and refreshments available.

The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA and anyone interested in using the hub’s dedicated community space free-of-charge can book a session by emailing edinburgh@utilita.co.uk.

See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.

Dunfermline children learn lifesaving skills at Amazon

The children of Amazon employees in Dunfermline are one step closer to becoming lifesavers after taking part in a special first aid and CPR training session at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.

The mini medics course welcomed 23 Amazon employees and their children for a fun and interactive session that introduced them to essential first aid skills, learning how to check for danger and practising CPR techniques.

Mini Medics is a basic first aid course designed for children between the ages of seven and 16. The course introduces children to health knowledge, lifesaving skills and administering first aid.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, said: “First aid and CPR are important skills for young people to have and I’m pleased that our mini medics course has been so popular with our employees and their families.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to our colleague, Anna, for facilitating the training for our team.”

Anna Soltysiak, an associate at Amazon in Dunfermline who led the training, added: “The children who attended our mini medics events were enthusiastic and keen learners. I had a great time teaching them about first aid.

“It’s important for young people to have basic medical skills, as it may one day help save a life.”

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need.

The Multibank network has now donated more than 12 million surplus goods to over 800,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. This year, the Multibank will send 1 million orders to families across the UK.

Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Campaigners welcome end to the two-child limit

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the news that the controversial two-child benefit cap limit is to be scrapped at last.

Poverty Alliance Chief Executive Peter Kelly said: “The Chancellor’s decision to fully scrap the unjust two-child limit is the right thing to do.

For eight years, this cruel policy has severed the link between what families across the country need and the support they are entitled to, pushing children into poverty and limiting their potential. Our children deserve better.

“Campaigners across Scotland have been unified in their demand to scrap the two-child limit and we are pleased that the UK Government has listened, sending a strong message that every child in this country matters.

“The end of this policy must be the starting point of reform which ensures that our social security system truly provides security.

“This decision also frees up money earmarked for the mitigation of the policy in the Scottish budget. Coupled with the additional £820 million allocated to the Scottish Government in this Budget, this will allow further investment in the action we know is needed to meet our child poverty targets, including increases to the Scottish Child Payment.

“Boosting the minimum wage will help low-paid workers who are struggling to cover basic costs. Many are already worried about heating bills.

“While steps to reduce energy costs are welcome, they fall short of a true social tariff that guarantees everyone has access to life’s essentials.

“Much needed investment in home energy efficiency must also be protected to improve homes and secure long-term saving for low-income households.

“The UK Government must raise revenue to invest in our shared national priorities, like tackling child poverty and increasing living standards. It’s right that the Chancellor has turned to those with the biggest assets to contribute more.

“This is a positive step towards building a fairer system of taxation, but we need to go much further, with a bold, renewed approach to tax that puts justice and compassion at its heart.”

Tomorrow: All welcome at Starbank Park Christmas Gathering

SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 10 – 12 NOON

Old Infirmary to host remembrance lighting ceremony

Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, part of The University of Edinburgh, is joining forces with Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary with a Tree of Light installation honouring families supported by the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The installation will be housed at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, the contemporary café restaurant located in the University’s Futures Institute, at the former site of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary, and will form the centrepiece of a special lighting ceremony on Saturday 29 November, creating a heartfelt moment of remembrance for families who have experienced the loss of a baby and offering a place of comfort at a time of year that can be especially difficult.

The free event, scheduled for 15:30, will welcome those who have had experiences at the Neonatal Unit – from children to their family and friends.

For many, the holiday season is a time of warmth and togetherness, yet it can also bring reflection and grief for loved ones lost. For families who have experienced the loss of a baby, the Tree of Light will stand until early January as a symbol of remembrance and healing.

With 1 in 8 babies requiring the Neonatal Unit’s support, it is hoped that the funds raised through this event will enable SSCB to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, support continued neonatal staff training and provide essential support to families during challenging times.

Tracey Ritchie, Assistant Head of Catering Operations, expressed her pride in hosting this event: “At Canopy, we’re proud to create a warm, welcoming space where people can relax and feel cared for.

“Being based in the former Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital makes hosting this event especially meaningful. We know this time of year can be emotional, and we’re honoured to offer Simpson’s families a place to pause, reflect and remember.

“Having the Tree of Light here, in a building so deeply connected to the charity’s past, feels like a fitting way to mark their 40th year. We’re delighted to host it and look forward to supporting Simpsons Special Care Babies in the months ahead.”

Those interested in supporting this cause can donate to SSCB through their website.

Free tickets must be booked in advance through the charity’s website.

X / Twitter: @SSCBcharity
Instagram: @simpsons_special_care_babies
Facebook: SimpsonsSpecialCareBabies

Brain tumour patients and bereaved families call on Scottish Government to increase innovation investment and access to clinical trials 

Brain tumour patients and family members who have lost loved ones gathered at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with Beatson Cancer Charity, in Edinburgh to learn more about the world-class research taking place there and call on the Scottish Government to increase investment in and widen access to clinical trials. 

This urgent call comes ahead of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group (CPG) on Brain Tumours meeting today (Tuesday 25 November), convened by Brain Tumour Research. Attendees, including Convener Beatrice Wishart MSP and MSP Finlay Carson, will hear about the latest clinical innovations in the field, and about inequitable access to genomic testing.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of brain tumour tissue reveals powerful information about the underlying biology driving tumour growth and helps to inform what drugs could be used to target specific cancer-causing pathways. This information unlocks access to clinical trials based on cancer biology rather than location in the body. Without it, the pool of trials that patients can be part of shrinks. 

In Scotland, WGS is not routinely offered through the NHS and access is largely limited to research studies. The lack of routine testing means patients are not accessing treatment options based on the biology of their individual tumour when needed. It also means that patients won’t be eligible for more personalised treatments such as immunotherapy that may become available in the coming years. 

Among the families calling for more action is Nadia Majid, from Airdrie, who lost her four-year-old son Rayhan to a brain tumour. On 13 December 2017, an MRI scan revealed that little Rayhan had a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour.

Two days later, Rayhan underwent a 10-hour operation. Surgeons removed most of the tumour, but not all, as it was touching his brainstem. Despite three further surgeries and six weeks of radiotherapy, Rayhan tragically died just four months after diagnosis, shortly after starting chemotherapy.

“You think that with medicine today, there would be effective treatments and even a cure,” Nadia said. “But shockingly, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“Added to this, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. It shouldn’t be left to charities to fund research.

“We can’t allow Scottish families to be left behind in the search for more effective, kinder treatments and ultimately a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research Patron Theo Burrell will join supporters at the CPG this week. Theo is supporting our active campaigning on the need for greater access to, and patient-led uptake in clinical trials.

Theo Burrell, Brain Tumour Research Patron and glioblastoma patient, said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is devastating enough, without finding out that patients in Scotland are being left behind in the hunt for new treatments due to a lack of routine testing.

“I am working with Brain Tumour Research – the Secretariat of the Brain Tumours Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament – to make it clear to the Scottish Government that 100% of brain tumour patients should be offered genome sequencing. The technology is there – let’s use it to stop this injustice.”

Bravo, Blackhall Brownies!

RAINBOWS AND BROWNIES RAISE £3600 FOR MISSION CHRISTMAS

Huge well done to the Blackhall Rainbows and Brownies who raised more than £3,600 for Mission Christmas by ‘growing £1’.

This meant each girl was given £1 and had to come up with a fundraising idea to help “grow” it. They then took the money they had fundraised to B&M and spent it on gifts for children living in poverty, which they then donated to Mission Christmas with Cash for Kids.

Thanks to a 10% discount from B&M Edinburgh, the group was able to donate more than £4,500 worth of gifts – which equated to four jam-packed car loads!

300% surge in demand for neurodiversity support

‘a system under strain and a need for urgent change’

New data shows the need for support has rocketed over the past five years, revealing a growing crisis across schools, families, and workplaces

As Mindroom marks 25 years of championing neurodivergent children, young people, and adults in the workplace, new data exposes a sharp rise in need across the UK, and a system struggling to cope.

Over the past five years, demand for Mindroom’s support has soared by nearly 300%, with families waiting years for assessments, children missing school due to unmet needs, and parents describing a system “at breaking point.”

The charity’s latest Impact Report also shows a 62% rise in families seeking mental health support, a 240% increase in training for professionals, and 93% of young people saying they felt more confident after working with Mindroom – proof of both surging need and transformative impact.

“Everywhere we look – classrooms, GP surgeries, workplaces, kitchen tables – the pressure is mounting,” said Alan Thornburrow, CEO of Mindroom.

“Every week, more families come to us saying they simply can’t navigate the system alone. The good news is that public understanding of neurodiversity has grown hugely. The question now is whether our institutions can keep up.”

This comes amid a worsening national picture. A Scottish Parliament report (June 2025) * described a “concerning picture” of neurodivergent care in Scotland, with over 42,000 children and 23,000 adults now waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments, signalling increases of over 500% and 2,200% respectively since 2020.

Some families face waits of up to three and a half years, while in England, reports show children waiting more than four years for an ADHD or autism diagnosis.

Mindroom’s 2024 Impact Report shows the charity handled 25,499 direct contacts on behalf of children and young people last year alone, providing vital one-to-one support and advocacy for families in crisis.

At the same time, its training and consultancy arm grew by 160%, equipping professionals in education, health, and business to create “neuroinclusive communities. But despite this progress, the gap between awareness and action remains wide.

A 2024 national workplace report** found that over half of neurodivergent employees had taken time off due to inadequate support or lack of reasonable adjustments. While neuroinclusion is rising up the corporate agenda, too many workplaces still fall short on psychological safety and practical understanding.

To mark its 25th anniversary, Mindroom is launching new initiatives to expand neuroinclusive practice from classrooms to boardrooms and, over the past three years, the charity has trained more than 10,000 people across sectors, a foundation it now plans to build on through national partnerships, policy advocacy, and expanded training.

“Behind every statistic is a person: a child finally getting the right support in school, a parent who no longer feels alone, or a workplace learning to value difference,” Alan Thornburrow added. “That’s what keeps us going.

“With neurodiversity finally gaining visibility in public life – from government policy to entertainment – we have a once-in-a-generation chance to turn awareness into action. Neurodivergent young people are not a side issue; they are the future workforce.”

Founded in 2000 and inspired by the lived experience of Robin and Sophie Dow and their daughter Annie, Mindroom began as a small Edinburgh charity and now supports thousands of families every year. Its mission – to build a society that champions every kind of mind – is more relevant than ever.

To download the latest Impact Report created by Mindroom (2024), please visit: 2024 Impact Report

For more information or to access Mindroom’s 2024 Impact Report, visit: https://www.mindroom.org

* Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland

** The City & Guilds Foundation “Neurodiversity Index 2024” finds that 50% of neurodivergent employees say they have taken time off work due to their neurodivergence.

Sustained improvement in mental health care for children and young people

Latest figures highlight 128 children waiting more than a year for mental health treatment

A Leith shop will be transformed into a magical Santa’s grotto this week – providing gifts to local children for free

Commitment to eradicating child poverty

‘a system under strain and a need for urgent change’