The NSPCC has launched new resources designed to encourage more fathers and male carers to take an active role in their children’s early development. And with Father’s Day just around the corner the charity wants more dads to sign up.
Look, Say, Sing, Play is a set of fun and science-based resources which have been helping new parents since being launched in 2019. It provides activities that can be enjoyed with babies and toddlers to help encourage higher quality interactions and build stronger bonds.
Parents are encouraged to Look at what their baby is focusing on and how they react, Say what they’re doing and copy the sounds their baby makes, Sing along to their favourite tune and Play simple games and see what their baby enjoys.
There has been a strong take-up of the service by mums, but only 10% of sign-ups were from dads, so the NSPCC held focus groups with expectant dads and those with new babies and toddlers, to see how to encourage more men to sign up.
The charity also worked with Father Support Workers and other professionals to understand how they’d like to use Look, Say, Sing, Play.
We found that fathers and male carers preferred to have outdoor and more physical activities that they could enjoy with their children, and they wanted to get more information about the science behind the programme.
As a result, Look, Say, Sing, Play with Daddy has been created with a whole range of free activities specifically designed to enable professionals working with dads and male caregivers to support them in early attachment, brain development…and having lots of fun with their 0-2 year olds.
The activity book created by the NSPCC features a four-week programme of activities that parents can do with their young children, with several options of varying activities suggested for each week.
Parents and carers can sign up to the main Look, Say, Sing, Play activities at www.nspcc.org.uk, with resources for dads and male caregivers available on NSPCC Learning.
Campaigners respond to annual Scottish child poverty reports
Child poverty campaigners respond to latest child progress reports from Scottish Government and independent Poverty and Inequality Commission.
One in four children still living in poverty, against 2030 target of less than one in ten.
“Reports are crystal clear that progress has stalled” say campaigners.
John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, has responded to the publication of the Scottish Government’s sixth Annual Tackling Child Poverty Progress Report and the Poverty and Inequality Commission independent scrutiny report.
The annual report is a statutory requirement under the 2017 Child Poverty (Scotland) Act and sets out the progress made towards meeting legally binding child poverty targets. The Act requires Scottish Ministers to consult the Commission in preparing its report.
Mr Dickie said; “We have seen very real action on child poverty in Scotland, not least the roll out of the Scottish child payment, but today’s reports are crystal clear that progress has stalled and that the policies in place are not enough to meet statutory targets. If child poverty really is the First Minister’s number one priority, then investment decisions need to back that up.”
Responding to the Cabinet Secretary’s statement to Parliament yesterday in which she said it had “not been possible to invest in all of the actions the government would have wished“, Mr Dickie said: “The failure of the 2024/25 Scottish budget to fully fund the childcare, employment and housing actions in the government’s own plan must never be repeated. The Scottish government’s child poverty delivery plan needs to be turbocharged, not underfunded.
“All political parties need to act at every level of government to deliver the economic, tax and spending plans that will ensure every family has the resources needed to protect their children from poverty. Here in Scotland the first step needs to be an immediate real terms increase to the Scottish child payment, and a commitment to ensure it reaches £40 per week by the end of the Parliament.
“At UK level all parties must commit to scrapping the poverty producing two-child limit and to increasing child benefit by £20 per week.
“Our children deserve nothing less.”
The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 requires Scottish Ministers to ensure less than less than 10% of children are living in poverty by 2030.
The latest official statistics (for 2021 to 2023) show that 24% of children (250 000 children) were living in poverty in Scotland.
THIS Child Safety Week, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has identified three products that can cause devastation if used incorrectly and urges parents and carers to skill up on the risks.
Following devastating stories in the press about babies who have died, RoSPA says there’s still more work to do when it comes to education around baby slings, nappy sacks and baby baths.
Baby slings
Baby slings have become a popular choice for parents, offering a convenient way to carry their infants while keeping their hands free. However, safety is largely dependent on the safe usage of slings.
As with all child-related products, RoSPA says it is vital to follow safety advice and manufacturer’s guidelines, and that parents should always check the instructions relating to size, weight and age. Importantly, baby slings should never be used for premature or underweight babies, as these scenarios pose a risk of death.
RoSPA advocates products that keep babies upright and allow parents to see their baby and to ensure that the face isn’t restricted. Babies should be able to breathe easily, be at a comfortable temperature, and held in positions that are healthy and beneficial for them.
The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: “Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S acronym”:
Tight
In view at all times
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chest
Supported back.
Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said:“Baby wearing is a natural phenomenon that has been around since the dawn of time – and while we encourage people to find a way to carry and connect with their children, we are keen to highlight how to do so safely.
“We urge people to be aware of the TICKS advice and to always ensure the carrier they are using is suitable for their child’s height and weight – they should never be used for underweight or premature babies.”
Bath seats
Since 2019, RoSPA is aware of at least 5 deaths that have been reported where babies have drowned in baths using baby bath seats.
There are several bath seats and other devices on the market that enable a young child to remain seated whilst in the bathwater.
The main risk with these products is the baby being left unattended (even for short periods of time), the seat then tipping over or become detached and the baby sadly drowning.
If parents do choose to use a bath seat, they should:
always keep the child within arm’s reach
never leave the child, even for a second
do not let bath seats give you a false sense of security – bath seats are NOT safety devices
Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said:“A child can drown in a bath very quickly and quietly in very shallow water.This situation can be made worse by a young child’s inability to self-rescue – their heads still weigh proportionately more than their bodies compared to adults and their muscular control is not yet fully developed.
“We therefore would like to remind parents and carers that they should always stay within arms reach of their baby at all times when they are in the bath, and that it’s not safe to leave them unattended, even for a few seconds.”
Parents and carers are generally aware of the dangers posed by plastic bags, but in many cases do not make the same link to nappy sacks and so may be less likely to take the same safety precautions.
RoSPA is aware of at least 22 deaths since 2001 where a baby has been suffocated by a nappy sack. The typical scenario associated with deaths is that the nappy sacks are stored within the baby’s reach, close to the baby’s cot, including under the mattress.
This method of storage is often for the convenience of the parent or carer. In some of the cases, the nappy sacks had been left near to or in the baby’s cot for ease of changing the baby’s nappy in the night.
In many homes these loose nappy sacks are kept within easy reach of babies, under the baby’s pram, or close to the baby’s cot. In other cases, nappy sacks are left loose on the side are at risk of blowing into the cot from the wind, or being accessed by the child’s young siblings who don’t understand the risks.
Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “Young babies naturally grasp at anything and put it in their mouths, and once they have grasped a nappy sack, they find it more difficult to let go. Nappy sacks are flimsy and can easily fit over a baby’s mouth or nose or into a baby’s mouth.
“Babies under one-year-old are particularly at risk of suffocation and choking from plastic sheets and bags. Once the nappy sack is over their face, they do not have the manual dexterity to remove the nappy sack, which can result in suffocation.
“We therefore advise parents and carers to make some simple changes that can increase their child’s safety, such as always keeping nappy sacks and other plastic bags away from babies and young children, and to always store them out of reach, ideally in a drawer or cupboard, and out of close proximity to cots, sleepers and prams.
“Nappy sacks should be kept in their packaging, including on a roll if supplied that way, and never stored loose”
The Big Kid Circus spectacle is set to land at Fort Kinnaird for the first time this week – with each performance guaranteeing thrills, excitement and laughter.
From tomorrow – Wednesday 5th June – Sunday 9th June, the big top will be pitched in the car park at Fort Kinnaird, with several performances taking place each day.
The show, called ILLUMINATION, celebrates the extraordinary abilities all circus performers have and includes the first ever all-female ‘globe of death’ act in Europe.
Andrew Kinross, Outdoor Commercialisation Manager at Space and People, which has organised the event, said:“Customers have absolutely loved visiting the Big Kid Circus at other venues across the UK and we are thrilled to host the Big Kid Circus at Fort Kinnaird.
“I’m in awe at how talented the performers are, I can’t wait to see what tricks they have up their sleeves this year. They’ve promised lots of surprises so I’m sure it will live up to its mayhem theme.”
Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re always looking for new and different experiences for our visitors and Big Kid Circus is just that. It will be a great summer’s day out for all of the family to enjoy and we look forward to welcoming everyone in the local area to see the show.”
Fort Kinnaird has advised walking or taking public transport to and from the event where possible. If travelling by car, please be aware that the car parks are likely to be busier than normal.
The Big Kid Circus will officially kick off tomorrow – on Wednesday 5th June at 7pm. Following this, the dates and showtimes are as follows:
Thursday 6th June at 4.45pm and 7.30pm
Friday 7th June at 4.45pm and 7.30pm
Saturday 8th June at 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm
Sunday 9th June at 12.30pm and 3pm
The Box Office is open on site from 10am – 8pm from Monday 3rd June.
Tickets range in price from £12.99 for adults, £10.99 for children and people aged 60+, while children under two can attend for free*.
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the box office at the circus, subject to availability. Wheelchair users and visitors with disabilities should call 07766552211 to discuss access arrangements and to book tickets in advance.
Terms and conditions about tickets and the event itself are also available via the Big Kid Circus website www.bigkidcircus.co.uk/events
*Adults are 16+ and children are between 2 – 16 years old.
Over £80,000 was raised for a disabled children’s charity during its annual star-studded fundraising ball at the weekend.
Almost 300 people turned out for the Secret Garden-themed black-tie affair, The Yard’s Big Fun Raiser, at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh on Saturday 1 June 2024, raising funds through tickets, a raffle and silent auction.
The Yard works with children and young people aged 0-25 with Additional Support Needs through adventure play sessions in Edinburgh, Dundee and Kirkcaldy.
The service offers creative and inclusive play experiences in a well-supported environment, alongside wraparound support for the whole family, with a varied programme of drop-in, respite and transition youth clubs, early years, specialist sessions with schools, family play sessions, plus inclusive play and disability training.
Celine Sinclair, CEO of The Yard, said, “Since opening our secret garden at Canonmills our dreams have taken root and flourished. We’ve grown, extending our arms to over 2600 young people annually across Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife.
“Now, we’re actively working towards spreading our unique model of family support and service excellence even further across Scotland.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity shown at The Big Fun Raiser, we can unlock the potential of countless more families across Scotland by expanding The Yard’s reach and opening the doors to even more secret gardens of support, joy, and friendship.”
Edinburgh Mum Megan Davidson whose son Toby (5) attends The Yard, gave a speech highlighting the importance of the charity to her family.
Megan said, “Toby is unique, creative, fun and loving, and big brother to Phoebe who is two, going on 25. Toby is also autistic and has a chromosome duplication. When he started playgroup, Toby really struggled and his behaviour was challenging. Although the staff were amazing, I dreaded pick-up and what they might say. Then, one day, a member of staff told us about The Yard. At that point, he hadn’t been diagnosed but that wasn’t an issue and, what’s more, I could take Phoebe too!
“From our first visit, the nerves began to get lighter and Toby was having so much fun. I was no longer the odd one out; everyone got it! They offered us support, advice and friendship. There is nowhere else you will find such selfless people; the team are 100% there for the children and he adores them. The Yard is his ‘yes’ place, his safe space, his happy place where he can be himself and celebrated for who he is.
“It’s also a place where Phoebe is included alongside her brother. Her experiences and the friendships she is forming are making her an advocate for inclusion. I wish all children had the opportunity she has had.
“The Yard saved me; it gave me a place to heal when I needed it the most. It has educated me and, most importantly, made me see just how beautiful our children are and that the world is better for having them in it.”
The Scotland Euro 2024 Men’s Squad surprised patients at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC), Glasgow this afternoon with an unexpected meet and greet, ahead of jetting off to Germany next week.
There were squeals of excitement and joy throughout the hospital as Captain, Andrew Robertson, led the team of Scotland’s best male footballers and coaches to visit patients and their families on the wards.
The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament kicks off on Friday 14th June, with Scotland playing Germany in the tournament’s opening match. Having noted the incredible work of the RHC staff and the care that they provide for children from across the country, the squad visited to give thanks to the hospital – and, of course, to drum up excitement among their youngest supporters.
Scotland Team Captain, Andy Robertson said: “It was a privilege for us to visit the Royal Hospital for Children and see the dedicated work of the staff up close.
“We have a squad of players from different backgrounds, at different ages and stages, but the vast majority will have a personal story to tell about loved ones who have benefited from the care and expertise on offer from RHC or somewhere similar.
“It was impossible not to be moved by the kids we met, especially as the father of young children myself. They’re all facing into their own difficult, varied challenges but, in every case, their resilience shines through and it’s reassuring to know they’re being looked after as well as they are by hospital staff, and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, who are doing everything they can for them.
“We are not short on motivation for the Euros, but it meant a lot to hear how excited they all are to watch the games and follow our progress. They won’t be far from our thoughts when we’re in Germany.”
The RHC and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity work hard throughout the year to bring experiences to patients and their families that extend ‘further than the medicine’ – including visits like these.
Mandy Meechan, Chief Nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow explained: “We can’t believe how lucky we have been to have the Scotland team visit us today.
“We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the smiles they created today, and we hope they take that energy and have great success in Germany. We pride ourselves on our person-centred care, and this visit has inspired hope, strength and tenacity in the kids and their families. It was just what we all needed”.
Kirsteen Watson from Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity added: “We are so grateful to the squad for visiting the children’s hospital today.
“The children felt like VIPs when they realised that the players had taken time away from the training pitch to pay them a special visit, and many have made memories that will last a lifetime.
“There was a sense of unity, hope and positivity during the visit, which can truly transform the hospital experience for children and young people. I’d like to thank our donors and volunteers who help to create moments like this all year round by supporting our hospital play programme.”
The kids may be counting down the days until school’s out for summer, but many parents are worried about making their money stretch in the coming months.
Whether it’s the cost of essential childcare or activities to keep the kids entertained, many are concerned they just won’t have enough to pay for school uniforms when the new academic year finally rolls around in August, so are having to make cut-backs in response.
And it’s understandable. The latest research shows parents spend an average of almost £300 per year on primary school uniforms and more than £400 per year on secondary school uniforms. And so, to help ease the pressure,
The Leith Collective is launching its free school uniform exchange on Saturday 1st June.
The exchange will take place at all four of The Leith Collective stores – at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird, Glasgow Fort and their brand new store at Dundee’s Overgate. The Community Interest Company is calling on locals to donate good quality uniforms, shoes, schoolbags and lunchboxes to those in need. Items will be available for anyone to collect completely free of charge, no questions asked.
The initiative is the brainchild of The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, who has just returned from 10 Downing Street after receiving a personal invitation from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
This was Sara’s third visit to Downing Street, having previously been invited by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the positive impact of The Leith Collective’s important work on the community.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the free school uniform exchange, Sara said; “The cost of living crisis is seemingly relentless, and there is now a generation of children growing up who have never known anything other than cut-backs and stressed out parents struggling to make ends meet.
“So, we’re taking action to help lighten the parent’s load by removing the expense of buying a new school uniform and helping the ‘cut-back kids’ get the best possible start to their education.”
Last year, the NSPCC delivered its Speak out Stay safe programme to nearly 63,000 children in Scotland
The assembly helps children understand abuse in all its forms and where to ask for help.
The charity rolled out a refreshed version of the programme earlier this year alongside a new promotional video and is encouraging schools across the UK to sign up
NSPCC Scotland is appealing for volunteers to help share these vital messages in primary schools
NSPCC Scotland has released new today which reveals that their Speak out Stay safe educational programme was delivered to 62, 986 children across 348 schools in Scotland last year (April 2023 to March 24).
Speak out Stay safe, which has been running since 2011, aims to help primary school children understand abuse in an age-appropriate way, as well as teach them where to ask for help.
The NSPCC believes empowering children with this knowledge is vital as on average two children in a primary school class across the UK have experienced abuse or neglect.
Educating children on abuse and neglect helps them to recognise situations or signs which will enable them to share their concerns with a safe adult.
Earlier this year the children’s charity rolled out a refreshed version of the programme, with a new promotional video. The updated version of Speak out Stay safe, which is available to all UK primary schools, includes a range of resources – which varies depending on the age of the children. Schools can benefit from virtual assemblies, lesson plans and face-to-face workshops with NSPCC trained volunteers.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Speak out Stay safe was delivered in more than 90% of all primary schools across the UK. This was affected due to the lockdown and using its refreshed service model, the children’s charity is ambitious to rebuild numbers and reach more children.
Speak out Stay safe volunteer, Karen Duncan (60) from Auchterarder, Perthshire, said:“Speak out Stay safe is a brilliant programme that helps children recognise what may be happening to them, that’s it not ok, and that they can speak to someone.
“I was a teacher for 30 years, but you don’t need previous professional experience of working with children to do this.
“The most important thing is that you are concerned about the wellbeing of children and would like to help keep them safe. The training and support are exceptionally good and it’s great to be part of a team with the same goal in mind.
“I feel I’m making a difference. If I can prevent abuse happening to one child, then I’ve done what I set off to do.”
Enola Butler, NSPCC Scotland Schools coordinator, said: “Speak out Stay safe is a vital safeguarding service in schools which helps them to understand what abuse is and where they can turn for help.
“We know many children might not be aware that they are experiencing abuse, and they might be scared about speaking out because they are worried about repercussions.
“Our volunteer numbers have reduced in recent years, and we would love to hear from anyone who is interested in joining us for just a few hours each month.
“Many volunteers have told us they feel privileged to be helping to spread these really important messages and we’d like to reach every child in Scotland to let them know that abuse is never their fault, and help is available.”
The programme is available in English, Welsh and incorporating British Sign Language and there is also a version of the programme for children with additional needs and disabilities.
Over £829 million in social security payments providing boost for families
The families of more than 329,000 children under 16 are benefitting from Scottish Child Payment, latest statistics show.
The weekly payment of £26.70, which is unique to Scotland, is helping families with the cost of living crisis, with over £677 million paid since the payment launched.
Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of payments – including the three Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods – which together have provided over £829 million in vital financial support at key stages of a child’s life.
There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.
In a survey, also released today, the majority of families said that the payments helped their child to take part in social or educational opportunities and also helped them buy milk and healthy food for their children.
Survey responses also suggest that families are finding it straightforward to apply with more than 90% of people noting the application was clear and did not take too long to complete.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As the First Minister has set out, eradicating child poverty is the number one priority for the Scottish Government.
“Scottish Child Payment plays a key part in that mission. Together with our Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods payments, this package of financial support, which is worth almost £25,000 per child by the time their child turns 16, is helping to make sure all children in Scotland get the best start in life.
“We have provided over £829 million to help people raise their families, putting money into the pockets of people who need it most.
“This crucial cash is available as soon expectant parents know they are pregnant all the way through to their child starting nursery, then going to primary and secondary school and helps them cover costs of caring for their children.
“We know from our recent research that families say the application process is clear and doesn’t take too long to apply. So I would urge families to apply for our package of five family payments and get the money they are entitled to.”
The committee has published its report “Screen time: impacts on education and wellbeing”.
There has been a 52% increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022; nearly 25% of children and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction.
Screen use has been found to start as early as six months of age. One in five children aged between three and four years old have their own mobile phone, increasing to one in four children by age eight and to almost all children by age 12. The amount of time those aged 5–15 years old spent online rose from an average of nine hours per week in 2009, to 15 hours per week in 2018.
As well as harms to mental and physical health, screen time can disrupt pupils’ learning both at home and in the classroom, as it can take up to 20 minutes for pupils to refocus on what they were learning after engaging in a non-academic activity such as browsing the internet or noticing a notification on their phone.
The report strongly supports the tougher guidance on keeping phones out of the classroom and breaktimes that the Department recently issued. However, the Committee heard mixed evidence on how well taken up this will be, we therefore recommend formal monitoring and evaluation of this approach by the next Government with the possibility of a statutory ban if needed.
The Committee also concludes that screen time should be minimal for younger children and better balanced with face-to-face socialisation and physical activity for older ones.
Parents need clear guidance from Government on managing children’s screen time, and in particular advice to parents of babies and young children should be revised to ensure it gives sufficient attention to face-to-face interaction and warns of the risks of screen time in reducing opportunities for this.
While the Online Safety Act 2023 will undoubtably play a role in keeping children safe from online harms, the Committee is concerned that children will not feel the full protections of the Act until implementation is completed in 2026.
79% of children have encountered violent pornography before the age of 18, with the average age that children first see pornography being 13 years old. Some 81% of girls aged 7-21 have experienced some form of threatening or upsetting behaviour, and online sexual crimes committed against children online has risen by 400% since 2013.
One in five children (19%) aged 10-15 experienced at least one type of bullying behaviour online, and out of them, around three-quarters (72%) said they experienced at least some of it at school or during school time.
It is clear that the entire system surrounding the digital age of consent and how it is verified is not fit for purpose. The Committee heard no evidence to suggest that 13 is an appropriate age for children to understand the implications of allowing platforms access to their personal data online.
Yet even with the digital age of consent currently formally set at the lowest possible level, it is widely ignored and not effectively enforced. This must change urgently. The next Government should consult on raising the age of digital consent and should recommend 16 as a more appropriate age.
The report also calls for the level of digital age of consent to be effectively enforced. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows for substantial fines or even imprisonment for executives of companies who breach its rules, and the Government should consider how this approach can be applied to social media companies who knowingly breach age verification requirements and expose children to addictive content which is not appropriate for them.
Within the first year of the new Parliament, the next Government should work alongside Ofcom to consult on additional measures regarding smartphones for children under 16 years old, including the possibility of a total ban of smartphones (internet-enabled phones) for children under 16 or parental controls installed as default on phones for under 16s.
The next Government should work with mobile phone companies and network operators to promote children’s phones, a class of phone which can be used for contact and GPS location but not access to the internet or downloading apps.
Chair of the Education Committee, Robin Walker MP, said: “Excessive screen and smartphone use has a clear negative impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people. Our inquiry heard shocking statistics on the extent of the damage being done to under-18s, particularly those who are already extremely vulnerable, such as those in care.
“Without urgent action, more children will be put in harm’s way. From exposure to pornography, to criminal gangs using online platforms to recruit children, the online world poses serious dangers.
“Parents and schools face an uphill struggle and Government must do more to help them meet this challenge. This might require radical steps, such as potentially a ban on smartphones for under-16s.
“Our report found that digital age of consent checks are not fit for purpose. We heard no evidence demonstrating that thirteen-year-olds understood the ramifications of sharing personal information online and today’s report urges the Government to increase this age to sixteen.
“It’s also clear that children require face-to-face and in-person social contact in order to thrive. Our report found that screen time is inversely associated with working memory, processing, attention levels, language skills and executive function.
“Whilst there can be some benefits from the online world and sharing information or interests with their peers, ready, unsupervised and unrestricted access to the internet leaves children vulnerable, exposing them to a world they are not equipped for. Their safeguarding and protection must be our priority.”
