Tag: Children and Families

NSPCC calls for early years support  for children to be election priority

Over 25 Years of Early Years

NSPCC Scotland is urging politicians in all parties to help prevent harm to children and prioritise early support for families in future plans and investment decisions, as the charity publishes an overview of early years policies since devolution.

The report calls for a strategic, long‑term commitment to the early years to ensure every child in Scotland has the best possible start in life.

Published on the NSPCC Learning website it provides a descriptive summary of early years policymaking in Scotland over the past 25 years.

The NSPCC believes there are clear opportunities for improvement in current early years policy and is calling on the next Scottish Government to prioritise it. This is one of the charity’s five priority areas for child protection that it will be setting out next month in the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections.

Early years – the period from pregnancy until a child turns five – is widely recognised as a critical stage in child development during which the foundations of learning, behaviour and lifelong mental and physical health are established.

In 2024, nearly half (45%) of the children on the child protection register in Scotland were under the age of four. This consisted of 93 unborn children and 913 aged newborn to four years old.1

Despite the youngest children in Scotland being the most vulnerable to harm, the 0-3 age group in particular can often be overlooked. It’s been called the ‘baby blindspot’.

Babies and very young children rely on sensitive and responsive care to grow and thrive. Evidence shows that investing in children’s earliest years not only reduces the need for costly interventions later in life but also helps tackle inequalities and ensures every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

In this report, the NSPCC sets out how the Scottish Government’s strongest focus on the early years can be traced back to 2011–12, with multi-agency initiatives that were designed to improve outcomes for children, reduce inequalities for those who were particularly vulnerable, and shift services toward prevention and early intervention.

However, the charity’s analysis reveals that strategic focus on the early years has not been maintained as attention shifted toward tackling the poverty-related attainment gap and addressing the long-term effects of childhood adversity in adulthood.

This has meant that targeted support for families and children, from pre-birth to age five, to prevent problems from developing or getting worse, has inadvertently declined.

The NSPCC’s view is that these days early years policy is too often viewed by the Government as meaning early learning and childcare provision, rather than as a broader agenda, which focuses on supporting families to build nurturing, responsive caregiving relationships.

Rachel Love, NSPCC Scotland Senior Policy Officer and report author, said: “Investing in early childhood provides significant long-term benefits for children, their families, and communities, including improved educational attainment, reduced health inequlaities and economic returns. 

“Our analysis shows that prioritisation of early years has been inconsistent, leading to gaps in service planning and delivery; and when it has been a priority, funding and resourcing has not matched ambitions.

“As we approach the Scottish Parliament elections, all political parties have an important opportunity – and responsibility – to place the early years at the heart of future policy and public investment in Scotland.   

“The NSPCC wants the new Government to give families the support they need, so every child gets the best possible start – ensuring Scotland keeps The Promise to its youngest children.”

The charity wants the new Government to:

  • Reestablish early years as a cross-party priority, with a clear focus on parent–infant relationships and holistic family support that prioritises prevention and early help.
  • Create a dedicated Early Years Strategy, led by a Minister for Early Years, to ensure focused and sustained national leadership.
  • Strengthen statutory guidance on Children’s Services Planning to reinforce its emphasis on early years prevention and intervention, and introducing long-term, ringfenced funding so local areas can deliver high-quality family and parenting support.
  • Advance implementation of The Promise and Children’s Rights, making sure the needs and rights of babies and under-fives are central to decisions about policy, legislation and practice. 

For the full report visit: 

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2026/over-25-years-of-early-years

Five years of Scottish Child Payment

Boost to payment set to support 12,000 children

Scottish Child Payment has supported more than 241,000 parents and carers since its launch five years ago, helping put over £1.3 billion into the pockets of low-income families.

An increase to the payment for children under one will be introduced during 2027/28, estimated to benefit around 12,000 children and could be worth an extra £500 a year for each eligible child.

The payment, which is only available in Scotland, provides families with £27.15 a week, rising to £28.20 from April 2026, for every eligible child under 16.  Latest figures show more than 322,000 children are benefiting from the payment as of September 2025.  

Scottish Child Payment, and other family payments delivered by Social Security Scotland could be worth around £25,000 by a child’s 16th birthday — compared with less than £2,000 in England and Wales, where support ends at age four.

It is estimated that Scottish Child Payment will keep 40,000 children out of relative poverty in 2025-26, with the relative child poverty rate lower than without the payment in place. Clear evidence that the payment is central to the Scottish Government’s mission to eradicate child poverty.

On a visit to Home-Start Edinburgh to meet with parents and children benefiting from the payment, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“Scottish Child Payment has improved the lives of thousands of children and families across Scotland over the last five years. And our plans to raise the weekly payment to £40 for eligible children under one shows the Scottish Government’s level of ambition and determination to end child poverty in Scotland.

“This payment helps ease the pressure on family budgets and forms part of the best cost-of-living support package in the UK. It helps pay for essentials like food and clothing, things that people who are better off may take for granted but which children in these households might otherwise go without. I urge families to check if they are eligible.”

Eliza Waye, CEO of Home-Start Edinburgh, added: “Early childhood experiences are foundational to lifelong wellbeing and support better outcomes across health, education, wellbeing and more. 

“The Scottish Child Payment plays a vital role in easing pressure on families and helps ensure children grow up in a more equitable environment. Despite this, being a parent is incredibly hard.

“At Home-Start, we support parents to overcome the challenges they face; helping them build confidence and connect to networks of support. The combination of financial and community support enables the investment in families and children to go further.”

Scottish Child Payment opened for applications on 15 February in 2021 and began as a £10 per child, per week payment. It has increased by more than 170% since then. For 2026-27 Scottish Child Payment will increase to £28.20 per child per week, in line with inflation.

Over £1.3 billion worth of Scottish Child Payments have been issued to more than 241,000 individual parents and carers by 30 September 2025.

Edinburgh nursery children reminded to go safe with Ziggy

Local nursery children in Edinburgh were treated to a special visit from Road Safety Scotland character Ziggy this week, to remind them of the importance of staying safe on our roads.

Ziggy visited children at three local nurseries; Pentland Nursery, Wester Coates Nursery School and Little Learners Nursery.

The visits were part of a road safety tour of Early Learning & Childcare Centres (ELCs) designed to equip young children with skills, knowledge and attitudes to help keep them safe on our roads now and later in life.

Together with Ziggy – an alien visiting Earth to learn about road safety – children enjoyed an interactive performance which brings to life road safety messages combining song, role play and crafts.

Multiple immersive learning activity stations, including card games, tested children on their understanding of road safety symbols, noises they’d hear on the roads, and steps to take to cross the road safely. A playmat featuring a town-scape including traffic lights and a zebra crossing also reinforced road safety skills through imaginative play.

Alison Hawkins, Head at Wester Coates Nursery school, said: “The children were very delighted to welcome Ziggy to Wester Coates Nursery School.

“Visits such as these reinforce our own road safety programme, strengthening the important road safety messages we teach and practice. Having fun with Ziggy was a great reminder about safety.”

Debbie Nicol, Assistant Director, Road Safety Scotland, said: “It is important that children are immersed in positive road safety attitudes from a young age, both in the classroom and at home, and we know that early experiences shape children’s future behaviour.

“Ziggy is a fun character with an important message and visits like these help create lasting memories about road safety.”

The Ziggy tour will include visits to Early Learning & Childcare Centres across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Dundee and Renfrewshire.

Written by children’s author Lynda Kennedy and illustrated by Lynn Taylor, the Go Safe with Ziggy books are a free resource available to all Early Learning and Childcare centres and Primary 1 classes in Scotland, and parents, carers and teachers have access to online resources and activity ideas. The Ziggy series is also available in Scots and Gaelic.

Books can be ordered for free on roadsafety.scot/ziggy-order.

For more information about Go Safe with Ziggy, visitroadsafety.scot/ziggy-online.

Details are also available on Road Safety Scotland’s social media channels: Facebook @roadsafetyscotland and X @RoadSafetyScot.

Westminster committees to examine children and young people’s mental health in new inquiry

Westminster’s Education and Health and Social Care committees have launched a new inquiry into children and young people’s mental health.   

MPs on the cross-party committees will consider what mental health support is available to children and young people up to the age of 25 in community, health and education settings.  

Through the inquiry, MPs will consider how this support is integrated with NHS services, such as specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) services, and what support is available throughout the education system, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

They will explore how potential reforms to CAMHS could improve children and young people’s access to mental health care and whether support could be provided in the community, such as through the Government’s new Young Futures Hubs.  

Around one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 in the UK has a “probable mental disorder”, according to NHS statistics published in 2023, while the consultancy PwC says that mental health challenges are having a significant impact on young people’s career choices and wellbeing at work. The committees will investigate what factors are driving these changes to children and young people’s mental health.  

The committees will also scrutinise the implementation and rollout of relevant government policies such as the commitment to expand Mental Health Support Teams to all schools in England by 2029/30.

MPs will also consider plans to establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and alignment between various government strategies such as the 10 Year Health Plan, the Independent Review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, and the National Youth Strategy.  

MPs will also investigate how education staff can support children and young people’s mental health, and whether current Ofsted frameworks or DfE guidance help or hinder mental health provision.  

Chair of the Education Committee, Helen Hayes MP, said: “Struggling with mental health should never obstruct a young person’s chance to learn and thrive. Yet for too many, especially those with SEND or experience of the care system, that’s still the reality.  

“From the early years through to university, education staff are often being asked to step in where existing support has failed.

“Our inquiry will take a forensic look at the mental health services available to children and young people at every stage of their education, from ages zero to 25. 

“We will consider the role teachers can play in supporting children and young people’s mental health and whether they are getting the training they need to do that properly.  

“We’ll also look at the full range of government policies and plans affecting young people, from SEND reform to the National Youth Strategy, and ask: are ministers doing enough to protect young people’s mental health?” 

 

Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, Layla Moran MP said: “For parents and school leaders alike, trying to get mental health support for children can feel like navigating a spaghetti junction.  

“Services are frequently overwhelmed and not joined up. Too often the help doesn’t come until a child’s needs are at crisis point. These fundamental problems sit alongside issues that the Health and Social Care Committee documented in 2021 – the need to increase emphasis on prevention and early intervention. We return to these themes now amid deepening concern about the scale of need and questions of how the system can be remade fit for purpose. 

“We will try and show Government how it can untangle the knotty problems that stop children getting the help they need and point to where investment should be directed. We’ll see how silos can be broken down between two sectors that should be working hand in glove, because we know that children’s education and wellbeing are intrinsically linked.” 

Lothians families given world-first hospital navigation solution

An Edinburgh children’s hospital has become the first in the world to introduce pioneering new personal navigation technology from Waymap, helping families to travel more easily from home to specific consulting rooms and wards.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) at Little France is the first hospital globally to go live with Waymap – a ground-breaking app that guides visitors from their front door directly to the correct hospital department.

Made possible thanks to a partnership between Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), NHS Lothian, and personal navigation specialist Waymap, the app gives families step-by-step directions both inside and outside the hospital, making visits more accessible and less stressful.

Families like Gilly Bain’s, whose daughters Finty (3) and Mackenzie (6) have been admitted to the RHCYP numerous times with recurrent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other ailments, have already described the app as a gamechanger for navigating hospital visits.

Gilly, Founder & CEO of YOURGB, Edinburgh, said: “Making your way to hospital with a very unwell child is one of the most high-stress moments in any parent’s life. In that moment, the absolute last thing you need is to panic about which building is the right one, or which of the many car parks it is that you’re meant to use.

“This app takes away that added pressure, and it is going to make a world of difference to so, so many families.”

Already in use at major transport hubs, shopping centres and sports stadiums in the UK and around the world, Waymap works indoors, outdoors and underground. It helps people move confidently through unfamiliar spaces, regardless of vision, mobility, or language skills.

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “Hospital visits can already be a daunting experience, especially for children and families with additional needs. This ground-breaking technology removes one of the biggest sources of anxiety – finding your way.

“Not only will it make journeys to the hospital much simpler by guiding people directly to where they need to be, it will also help to ease anxiety, break down language barriers, and reduce missed appointments.”

The Waymap team carefully mapped the hospital’s indoor physical space using a LIDAR scanner, which uses lasers to map spaces in 3D. The app guides families along clear routes displayed on a smartphone screen or via audio instructions. It is available in multiple languages and integrates with bus and train timetables.

Celso Zuccollo, CEO of Waymap, said: “We are really excited to be making wayfinding easier for children and families visiting the hospital.

“Waymap’s precise personal navigation technology works indoors and outdoors, making it ideal for helping patients, staff and visitors find their way to and around a busy hospital.”

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s, NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be the first hospital in the world to introduce this technology to support our young patients and their families.

“It is about making the journey to and from hospital easier, reducing stress, and helping families to feel more confident and independent from the moment they arrive.”

Dr Olivia Swann, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Consultant, NHS Lothian, said: “My colleagues and I realised we were spending a lot of time helping anxious families find their way around the hospital.

“I was sure we could do this better. My research led me to Waymap and their innovative way of helping people navigate complex indoor settings.

“Working with Waymap and ECHC, we managed to secure funding to bring this amazing app to the families at RHCYP and hope it helps make hospital visits simpler and less stressful for everyone.”

Big screen family fun lands at Vue Edinburgh this February half term

With a fantastic roster of brand-new blockbusters and familiar favourites, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy at Vue this Scottish half term. 

Follow Will, a small goat with big dreams, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join a professional roarball team – a high, intensity co-ed, full contact sport dominated by the fastest and fiercest beasts in the animal kingdom – in the animated comedy GOAT. 

From the artists behind the worldwide sensation KPOP Demon Hunters, this film promises a slam dunk of animal antics when it arrives on 13 February – just in time for the half term break.  

Also heading to Vue on 13 February is the stunning animated tale Little Amélie, nominated for Best Animated Feature at both this year’s Academy Awards and BAFTA’s. This enchanting story about curiosity, courage and the power of human connection is based on The Character of Rain, the best-selling autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb, following a young Belgian girl’s life living in Japan.  

Meanwhile, an adorably family twist on the horror classic Frankenstein is screening this half term, with the arrival of Stitch Head. Set in a castle laboratory formally owned by a Mad Professor, we meet his very first creation, Stitch Head – a kind-hearted monster who takes it upon himself to teach the other creations from being quick so monstrous.  

Vue will also be screening The Scarecrow’s Wedding and The Smeds and Smoos as part of their Big Shorts screenings from 9 February, as well as the return of recent favourite Spongebob: Search For Squarepants, which will be shown at 10am every day across half term as Vue’s Mighty Morning screening. 

General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “There’s plenty to get excited about heading to the big screen this February, just in time for the half term break. With a whole host of fantastic new releases, recent favourites and family stories tailor made for the big screen, there’s no better place to enjoy quality family time this February.   

“Even better, our Vue Mighty Mornings at 10am, will continue to show the latest kids’ films at just £2.49 a ticket if purchased online and £3.49 in venue. Parents and children can come along, immerse themselves in great stories and switch off.” 

To find out more, visit www.myvue.com 

Edinburgh & Lothian families to receive free storm‑safety storybook from SP Energy Networks

SP ENERGY NETWORKS BRINGS STORM SAFETY TO STORYTIME

Meet the tiny puppies taking on Britain’s wildest weather by teaching kids how to stay safe in a power cut, as top kids author-illustrator Emily MacKenzie reveals the exciting Stormy Night children’s book every family needs this winter.

Two fearless puppies are taking on storm season in a new bedtime story that could save the day in a power cut – Walter and Skye’s Stormy Night.

Award‑winning children’s author‑illustrator Emily MacKenzie has partnered with distribution network operator SP Energy Networks to create a new playbook for power cuts. Released at the height of the UK’s storm season, this new storybook helps families stay cosy and safe if the lights go out.

Perfect for children under five, the story is tailormade for bedtime or nursery reading. The wind howls, the lights flicker and heroic puppies Walter and Skye start their new adventure as a storm blows in. The brother‑and‑sister duo will face their fear of the dark and take on a power cut – thanks to a special storm kit they prepared before the weather turned.

The new book will hit nurseries, libraries and playgroups across Central & Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire over the course of this winter. Over 2,000 print copies are being shared across SP Energy Networks’ patch, with a free online version available through the company’s website.

Author Emily MacKenzie has twice been shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize and is known for her colourful illustrations made using coloured pencils, pens, gouache, inks and rubber stamps.

Her books include Wanted! Ralfy, Rabbit Book Burglar, Stanley the Amazing Knitting Cat, Eric Makes a Splash! and Help! Ralfy Rabbit and the Great Library Rescue.

Emily MacKenzie said: “I loved the idea of turning a wild, windy night into something exciting rather than scary. Walter and Skye are the kind of friends you’d want by your side when the lights go out – curious, brave and ready to spring into action!

“As I painted each page, I thought about the families who might read it together, wrapped up in blankets, learning these simple tips without even realising they’re learning. My hope is that children will remember the characters and when a storm comes along, SP Energy Networks makes them feel ready and safe.”

The book packs in SP Energy Networks’ top tips for staying safe, warm and prepared during storm season – from keeping a wind-up torch within reach and a power bank fully charged, to knowing the emergency helpline number and signing up for the free Priority Services Register if you need extra support.

Kendal Morris, Customer Service Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re always looking for innovative ways to help our customers prepare for bad weather so partnering with the incredible Emily MacKenzie to create a children’s story felt like a great way to engage families.

“While power cuts are rare, it’s really important that parents and all our customers know what to do if the lights go out. Our teams are working round the clock this winter to keep the power flowing.”

The book is part of a partnership with Scottish Book Trust to help the story reach as many families as possible. On Thursday 5 February, SP Energy Networks teamed up with Bookbug for a special family‑friendly live reading at Central Children’s Library in Edinburgh.

Children, parents and carers joined author Emily MacKenzie in person at a Bookbug Session, heard the story come to life and took home a signed copy to treasure. Scottish Book Trust also shared the story through its Bookbug network and free app, helping it reach thousands of families nationwide.

Marc Lambert, CEO at Scottish Book Trust, said: “Stories are a wonderful way for children and families to bond, and Walter and Skye’s Stormy Night does just that. It’s a charming story with beautiful illustrations that will help families to be prepared for stormy winter weather.

“We’re proud to share this adventure through Bookbug, and help the book to reach families across the country.”

Families can get their hands on the new book for free on the SP Energy Networks website: 

https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/walters_skyes_stormy_night.aspx

PYCP: Community Chat & Chill Cafe

STARTS THIS THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY: 12 – 2PM

To all our local neighbours:

For the next 7 weeks we are trialling a warm safe space for our Chat & Chill Cafe. Our first one is this Thursday 12 February midday to 2pm.

Whether you have children attending PYCP or not, EVERYONE in our community is welcome to join us.

Pop in, chill out and enjoy a warm space filled with good vibes and good company.

We will be serving up free homemade soup, tasty sandwiches and some extra treats to brighten your day.

Each session comes with giveaway goodies and a lively round of prize bingo (no cost to you).

We will also have our Pop up shop of affordable clothing if you want to browse and pick up some bargains (cash and card payments taken for this). Any money raised goes staight back in to the running of the clubs and groups.

If you think you can make it for our first Chat & Chill then it would be great if you can give us a quick message or send an email to info@pycp.co.uk

Thanks

PY Team

PS> If you can’t make this week, then plenty of other dates in the flyer!

Children First urges families living in poverty in Edinburgh to contact them for help

This winter, Children First is urging families in Edinburgh struggling to make ends meet to call its national support line. 

The charity’s experienced team can give confidential assistance with money worries, and thanks to extra funding from the Scottish Government, can provide emergency support to families living in poverty.   

As well as immediate help, every family that contacts the charity’s support line will be offered expert debt management advice, support to access benefits, and guidance to help families build a more secure financial future. 

Thanks to partners British Gas Energy Trust, the charity is also able to offer eligible families new white goods ranging from fridges to washing machines – but only until the end of February. 

In 2025, the charity’s support line helped nearly 1,500 families with money worries. The team put £1.8 million back into household budgets and supported families to manage over £1 million pounds in debts.  

Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “We know it can feel hard to talk about money worries, but getting help early can make an enormous difference. Our friendly team listens without judgement and helps parents and carers get the support they need to make life better for their children. 

“As well as immediate financial help to alleviate a crisis, we can offer practical, down-to-earth help with budgeting, benefits, debt and energy bills. And thanks to British Gas Energy Trust, until the end of February we can provide white goods like washing machines and fridges to families living without these essentials. 

“We want parents and carers to know they don’t need to face their money worries alone. If you’re struggling, please get in touch. We can help you straight away. 

“Call the support line team free on 08000 28 22 33 from 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday or 9am – 12 noon Saturday and Sunday or start a webchat with the team on our website at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline.” 

When Amy* first called Children First’s support line, she was at breaking point. Trapped in a damp flat with two young children, suffering from postnatal depression and £190 short every month, she felt invisible and hopeless. 

Children First’s support line arranged immediate food and heating support so Amy’s children could stay warm and fed. They secured £1,500 from the Home Heating Fund and negotiated lower bills, cutting Amy’s broadband by £38 per month. The team also secured £180 per month in child maintenance and connected Amy to housing, mental health and local family support services. 

Amy’s financial situation improved by more than £4,500, lifting a weight off her shoulders and helping give her and her children a brighter, more secure future. 

Amy said: “I felt invisible before I called. Now I feel like someone is on my side. My kids are happy, and I can breathe again.” 

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family. 

In January 2026, Children First was awarded £1.5m in funding from the Scottish Government to provide extra emergency support to families in crisis as part of the national mission to eradicate child poverty.

Find out more here: £10m emergency support for families – gov.scot