Tag: Children and Families

Child Abuse: Whistleblowing Bill progress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more about it via the online briefings below.

#childprotection

#childsafeguarding

#childrensrights

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

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

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Deliberate Fires

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

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

More: https://rb.gy/lwjmgh

fire0settingDownload

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New programme at Dr Bell’s

📣Our new programme is live! 📣

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

To sign up for our groups please follow the link –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tweedy’s Massive Solo Show

Dates: 6 – 30 Aug (except 17 and 24)

Times: 10:15 am

Venue: Underbelly’s George Square Gardens (Udderbelly)

Tickets: £12.00 – £22.00

Tomorrow: Carrot-themed lunch at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

Get ready for a vibrant and delicious day at our centre! 🥕

We have an abundance of fresh carrots, and we’re celebrating with a special carrot-themed menu for tomorrow.

We have a Carrot & Ginger Soup – a comforting blend of sweet and spicy, served with a side of creamy Potato Dauphinoise or a crumbly Cheese Scone – the perfect accompaniment to soak up all the goodness.

For dessert, indulge in our freshly baked Carrot Cake Loaf, with a tangy, zesty icing. Whether you’re in the mood to dine in or take away, we’ve got you covered. Join us from 11:30am – 12:30pm for a meal that’s sure to brighten up your day! 🌞

As always,start your day with our hot filled rolls and hot drinks, served from 9am – 10:30am! ☕️

Edinburgh schools urged to turn leftover holiday money into meals for hungry children

Edinburgh back-to-school appeal: Schools urged to turn leftover holiday money into meals for hungry children

As kids prepare to go back to class after the summer holidays, schools across Edinburgh are being encouraged to launch foreign currency collections and turn leftover coins and notes into meals for hungry children.

Through Mary’s Meals, even the smallest amount can have a life-changing impact on hungry children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. It costs just 10p to provide a nutritious meal in a place of education, while only £19.15 provides meals for a child for a whole school year.

The school feeding charity is calling on schools to start foreign currency fundraisers and asking parents to check pockets, purses and wallets for forgotten holiday money that can be sent into school with their children for the start of the new term.

St Richard’s Catholic College in East Sussex has run foreign currency collections since 2024, generating £733 for Mary’s Meals, enough to feed 38 hungry children for a full school year.

Lidia Mead, Subject Leader for RE at St Richard’s, says: “I am always blown away by the amount we collect through foreign currency collections. We all have some leftover money from our holidays, and what better way to get rid of it than to help feed children – an amazing, simple idea.”

As well as raising vital funds for Mary’s Meals, Mrs Mead believes the collections have a lasting impact on her students.

She adds: “They do a huge amount of charity work through the likes of cake sales and raffles, but this way of fundraising is different. Pupils know the money is turned into meals for children, which helps them realise the great work they are doing. Being able to feed a child for under £20 a year really puts things into perspective for them too.”

Mary’s Meals, founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands in 2002, provides school meals to more than three million children in 16 countries, including Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, every school day. The promise of a daily meal encourages children into the classroom, where they gain an education and hope for a better tomorrow.

Funds generated through a foreign currency fundraiser can help the charity reach children like seven-year-old Sitraka, a pupil at Sahafy Primary School in Madagascar. Like many in his community, Sitraka’s household faces hunger.

The introduction of daily school meals has transformed Sitraka’s life, as the meal he receives at school is sometimes the only meal he has all day. “The food at school is delicious,” he says, “but at home, we never have anything that tastes this good.”

This reliable access to food has significantly improved both Sitraka’s attendance and academic performance. Education is vital for Sitraka’s future; it paves the way for a stable job when he grows up, provides a ladder out of poverty for him and his family, and the prospect of a brighter future.

Schools can start making a difference today simply by requesting a free foreign currency pack on the Mary’s Meals website and galvanising parents and pupils to get involved.

Regional Development Officer at Mary’s Meals, Gerrard McMahon, says: “We’d love for your school to set up its own foreign currency collection! We’ll provide everything you need, including envelopes, a collection box and clear instructions. We accept coins and notes from any country, as well as old UK currency no longer in circulation.

“If you have old coins and notes sitting in drawers and wallets, don’t let them go to waste. Too often, hunger holds a child back from the future they deserve, keeping them out of school and communities stuck in a cycle of poverty… year after year. With the promise of a daily school meal, we can overcome this barrier and allow a child to unleash their full potential.”

For more information, visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/foreign-currency

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child for a year with Mary’s Meals. But a donation of any value can set a child up for life, with their success being the true legacy of your gift. It’s one school meal today – a teacher, community leader, or business owner tomorrow.

Hundreds of families attend free outdoor Playday events across Scotland

Play Scotland calls on communities to champion more spaces for play

Hundreds of children, young people, and families across the UK came together to celebrate Playday on Wednesday 5th August, after Play Scotland called for more inclusive and welcoming spaces for play.

As this year’s theme calls for the creation of play opportunities here, there, and everywhere, celebrations outdoors and in streets ramped up as children engaged in imaginative, risky, creative, exploratory play, among others.

From loose parts, to mud pies, to den-building, it serves as a reminder that quality play doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Children must be given the time, freedom and space to play, and that’s what Play Scotland is working to deliver as they develop their five-year strategy, launching in late October.

Play Scotland partnered with Aberlour Children’s Charity to host a free play event in Aberdeen, and took part in delivering a day of play at Brodie Castle and Estate in Moray.

Lorna Leil, events coordinator at Brodie Castle says: “I know how important play is for children’s learning and development. With the space that we have Brodie Castle just lends itself to this.

“We have a focus on play anyway with our Playful Garden and the castle playground. Playday is a chance to expand on this, to work with local people – businesses, families and communities – and provide even more opportunities for playful learning.

“Since developing our connection with Play Scotland and Playday we have a wider platform to promote and highlight the importance of play for all and access to play spaces and play opportunities for all children and families.”

As a fantastic example of engaging children in more simple outdoor play, Leeds City Council helped deliver street play to local children on Playday, temporarily closing roads so that children could have a chance to feel safe playing outside their houses.

Speaking on BBC Scotland about street play, Mary Ramsay, Play Scotland CEO said: “There is a big commitment from Scottish Government to support children playing outdoors, but what we’re seeing up here (Scotland) is, parents are understandably wary with reports that we’re seeing on social media about things happening, there’s been a big increase in cars and vehicles, and we’ve seen a reluctance sometimes from children engaging on screens.

“We don’t want to demonise screens, they obviously have a place, but we have seen sometimes that children are more indoors, there’s also weather challenges, so although there has been a lot of work within Scotland, and we have the legislative framework and a lot of guidance that supports that, we’re still getting reports that children aren’t getting enough time outdoors, and that parents are understandably wary of engaging in it.”

A variety of quality play opportunities is essential for the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

It builds confidence, creativity, social skills and resilience. It has a significant role in developing language, emotional regulation, and even in developing the 5 senses. Playday is an opportunity to celebrate this, and Play Scotland is working to raise awareness, and encourage communities to create more opportunities for children to play freely. 

Among the smiles, laughter, and screams, another important activity in developing quality play opportunities was the discussion of the Play Park Survey, an online form to generate feedback from locals across Scotland on the developments they’ve noticed in their local play parks since the rollout of the Play Park Renewal fund between 2021-2026.

Play Scotland is calling for as much feedback as possible to inform future opportunities. The link can be found on Play Scotland’s website.

Scotland’s Play Park Survey – Play Scotland