BANK OF SCOTLAND FUNDING SECURES PYCP’s FUTURE
We are delighted to share that we have received a five year unrestricted grant totalling £250,000 through Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Empower programme!
This kind of support helps us strengthen our work and grow our impact over the long term. Thank you!
Thousands of children each year end up in hospital through accidental poisoning. But in Take Action Today areas, emergency admissions for under-fives have dropped by almost 50% since 2013.
Take Action Today helps parents keep their young children safe from accidental poisoning through free safety resources, checklists and fact sheets.
Join the 1 million families who have benefited from Take Action Today – access free safety resources at www.rospa.com/home-safety/household-cleaning-products
CARERS TRUST are proud to be supporting #CarersWeek 2026!
This year’s theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities and from 8-14 June we’ll explore how to build communities that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of carers.
A new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) study Maternal RSV vaccination and reduced risk of hospitalisation for babies in England 2024/25, clearly shows the maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme is providing over 80% protection for newborn infants, including those born prematurely.
The study found vaccination at least 2 weeks before the birth gave 81.3% protection. A narrow range of statistical uncertainty, 78.9% to 83.4%, means there is high confidence in the protective effect of the vaccine.
The study, which analysed data from the first year of vaccine roll out (24/25), is believed to be the largest study in the world evaluating the effect of maternal RSV vaccination in preventing infants being hospitalised for RSV chest infection.
RSV causes bronchiolitis (infection and inflammation of the small airways of the lung) and is a major cause of hospital admission in infants.
The maternal vaccination programme is offered to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns.
The study followed nearly 300,000 babies born between September 2024 and March 2025, representing around 90% of all births in England during this period. Using routinely collected electronic health records, UKHSA researchers assessed the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing hospital admissions. More than 4,500 hospitalisations occurred in this cohort, the vast majority in infants whose mothers had not been vaccinated.
Getting the vaccine on time was best (in week 28 or soon after that), as babies born at least 4 weeks after their mother was vaccinated had nearly 85% protection. But importantly, even vaccination later in pregnancy still gives some protection, with vaccination as close as 10 to 13 days before birth reducing hospital admissions by 50%.
The study, which will be presented today (18 Apri)l at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) global conference, also found that premature babies, who are particularly vulnerable to RSV, can be well protected, provided there is at least 2 weeks between vaccination and birth.
Matt Wilson, Epidemiologist at UKHSA, presenter and lead author, said: “Our evaluation of the first season of the programme in England gives important confirmation that maternal RSV vaccination is highly protective for newborn infants, over 80%, and that effectiveness reached nearly 85% when vaccination occurred at least 4 weeks before birth.
“These findings are also particularly important for preterm infants, who are among the most vulnerable to severe RSV infection. With sufficient time between vaccination and birth, we saw good levels of protection in these babies.
“Giving the vaccination early in the third trimester, as recommended by the World Health Organization, could protect most preterm infants, so it’s important that midwives and other healthcare workers offer vaccination on time with the schedule – and that pregnant women promptly take it up.”
Maternal RSV vaccine uptake in England continues to climb, reaching 55% during the study period and the latest data showing uptake rising to 64.1% for women who gave birth in November 2025.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, one of the senior authors and national programme lead for RSV, said: “RSV can cause life-threatening chest infections for babies. Half of newborns will have caught RSV before they are a year old. As an expectant parent you have no idea if they are going to be severely ill or not.
“Our analysis of the RSV vaccination programme in England is important confirmation of the results from the clinical trial, but this study is 40 times bigger and clearly shows the hugely beneficial effect on reducing hospital admission.
“Getting vaccinated in week 28 of pregnancy or soon after gives excellent protection to both term and preterm babies when they are tiny and most vulnerable to severe RSV. The RSV vaccine gives a brilliant boost to the pregnant woman’s immune system so it can pass antibodies through the placenta and protect the baby from the day they are born.”
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Join us for our Japan Sakura @ Lauriston Castle – a festival spanning 2 weekends (Sat 18/Sun 19 & Sat 25/Sun 26 April), celebrating the blossom at Lauriston Castle.
Full details of #Japanese#cultural events here: https://cultureedinburgh.com/…/japan-sakura-at…
Free and drop in. #Edinburgh#Scotland
The Prime Minister will say “looking the other way is not an option” as he brings senior leaders of major social media companies – Meta, Snap, Google (YouTube), TikTok and X – to Downing Street today to press for progress on one of the most urgent issues affecting children today.
For parents, the stakes could not be higher – this is about whether children grow up supported and safe online or exposed to harm with no one taking responsibility. When it comes to keeping young people safe online, the Prime Minister has been clear this is not a question of if the government will act, but how.
Throughout the government’s consultation, he has heard first hand from parents on the worries they have about the growing grip of social media on their children’s lives and the need for greater support.
The Prime Minister has said his government will not sit on its hands after the consultation, but instead has acted swiftly to take the legislative powers needed to move quickly once it has concluded to deliver change within months, not years.
Some social media companies have already stepped up by putting in place protections like disabling autoplay for children by default and giving parents greater control over screen time and introducing curfews. But the Prime Minister has argued we must go further to protect children and meet the moment.
During today’s meeting, the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary will set out the government’s principles and values when it comes to protecting children, and press for answers from companies on what they are doing to keep children safe online and responding to families’ concerns.
Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Social media shapes how children see themselves, their friendships and the world around them. When that comes with real risks, looking the other way is not an option.
“Parents rightly expect action and fast. That’s why we’ve already taken the powers needed to move quickly once our consultation ends.
“I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online. Today is about making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility.
“The consequences of failing to act are stark. We owe it to parents, and to the next generation, to put children’s safety first – because they won’t forgive us if we don’t.”
The meeting comes halfway through the government’s consultation, Growing Up in the Online World, which has so far received more than 45,000 responses to proposals aimed at protecting children’s wellbeing online.
With around six weeks left before the consultation closes on 26 May, the government is urging parents and children to get involved and help shape the next steps.
The consultation is the most ambitious of its kind in the world. It explores key questions including whether to introduce a minimum age for social media, limits on addictive design features, and stronger safeguards around AI chatbots for young people.
Almost 6,000 young people have already taken part, and more than 80 organisations – including schools, charities and community groups – have participated in engagement sessions with ministers and officials in recent months.
Take part in the national consultation: https://gov.uk/growing-up-online
A leading coalition of children’s services providers has challenged political parties to “stop talking and start delivering” after a dramatic surge in additional support needs (ASN) conditions among Scotland’s pupils.
New analysis of Scottish Government data reveals a sharp rise in complex needs over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025:
Overall, the number of pupils identified with ASN has almost doubled—from 153,143 to 299,445—now accounting for 43% of all pupils, experiencing an increased complexity of need.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education for vulnerable children and young people, has warned that rising need is being met with falling support.
Despite the sharp increase in demand:
The SCSC notes that the gap between need and provision is being driven by a combination of improved diagnosis, the lasting impact of Covid-19, social media pressures, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Associated with this, we are witnessing increasing levels of classroom disruption, a key cause of this being the increase in the number of those with ASN, who are not receiving the support they are entitled to.
The SCSC has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of mainstreaming—where pupils are educated in mainstream classrooms unless exceptional circumstances apply—warning that without adequate support, it is failing many children.
An SCSC spokesperson said: “Scotland’s politicians must stop talking and start delivering. The scale of this increase in need is staggering—but the support simply isn’t keeping pace.
“Too many children with ASN are being left without the help they are entitled to. That is failing them, their classmates, their teachers and support staff.
“Mainstreaming can work—but not without the resources to back it up. Right now, that support just isn’t there, and we are seeing the consequences in rising classroom disruption and unmet need.
“The next Scottish Government must act decisively, providing adequate support for children and young people with ASN, who disproportionately come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Reasons for support for pupils with ASN (pupils may have more than one reason for additional support).
| Reason for support | 2025 | 2015 | % change on 2015 | ||||
| Total | Total | ||||||
| Dyslexia | 39,036 | 17,034 | 129 | ||||
| Other specific learning difficulty (e.g. numeric) | 30,720 | 17,552 | 75 | ||||
| Other moderate learning difficulty | 30,484 | 23,228 | 31 | ||||
| Visual impairment | 5,739 | 3,839 | 49.5 | ||||
| Hearing impairment | 4,376 | 2,738 | 59 | ||||
| Deaf blind | 64 | 47 | 42.5 | ||||
| Physical or motor impairment | 8,618 | 7,528 | 14.5 | ||||
| Language or speech disorder | 20,758 | 14,704 | 41 | ||||
| Autistic spectrum disorder | 41,285 | 11,722 | 252 | ||||
| Social, emotional and behavioural difficulty | 77,405 | 31,684 | 144 | ||||
| Physical health problem | 21,961 | 9,059 | 142 | ||||
| Mental health problem | 14,638 | 2,338 | 526 | ||||
| Interrupted learning | 15,931 | 2,669 | 497 | ||||
| English as an additional language | 61,107 | 21,997 | 178 | ||||
| Looked after | 10,673 | 7,530 | 42 | ||||
| More able pupil | 3,075 | 3,123 | -1.5 | ||||
| Communication Support Needs | 19,374 | 4,894 | 296 | ||||
| Young Carer | 10,302 | 1,653 | 523 | ||||
| Bereavement | 7,261 | 1,304 | 457 | ||||
| Substance Misuse | 762 | 221 | 245 | ||||
| Family Issues | 31,865 | 9,700 | 228.5 | ||||
| Risk of Exclusion | 2,610 | 925 | 182 | ||||
| Learning disability | 12,241 | 15,324 | -20 | ||||
| Other | 25,406 | 14,156 | 79.5 |
BBC Bitesize, the UK’s number one trusted education brand, is now the home of Bitesize Parenting, a new service from BBC Children’s & Education to support parents through their children’s education from primary school to right through to exams.
As the nation’s teenagers prepare to for GCSE and A Levels, new research conducted by Ipsos reveals parents are feeling overwhelmed and under pressure when it comes to supporting their children through exam season.
The new parenting offering includes a range of resources to help parents support learning from primary school years to secondary, and beyond.
The free resources such as a glossary on what to say and what not to say during revision, expert advice from psychologists on supporting your child’s mental health, and ways parents can avoid burn out provide easy to use, practical information and the ability to see and engage with your child’s learning on Bitesize.
The expert led resources include a brand-new podcast series, Bitesize Parenting Teens, hosted by actress and comedian Kerry Godliman, with advice and support on the trickier aspects parenting teens, launching with an episode on exams and revision.
As exams start from May, the new research goes on to suggests many parents are unsure how to help with revision, with 1 in 5 saying they are not confident in how to support their teenager during this time, and 35% saying revision season makes them feel anxious as a parent.
The research highlights common challenges driving this anxiety, including managing their child’s screen time and distractions (33%), helping their child cope with exam stress (25%), and worrying they will say the wrong thing about revision (19%).
Revision season is also putting pressure on family life, with 21% of parents surveyed saying it leads to more arguments or tension at home. Children are feeling the strain too, with 37% of parents saying their child becomes more irritable or emotional during this period.
The research suggests parents are taking practical steps to help, often at the expense of everyday life. 44% have helped create revision timetables, 38% have reduced social plans to prioritise revision, and 36% have paid for revision guides or learning materials.
But despite their efforts, many parents surveyed feel they are navigating this without clear guidance. Almost half (48%) say they find it difficult to keep up with the range of revision resources available.
In conversations with parents, the BBC found just how much pressure exam time is putting on family life. One parent said their child “gets more stressed about me suggesting he revise than he does about exams,” highlighting how difficult it can be to strike the right balance.
Another parent described the experience as “a super stressful period for all concerned,” while others said they have to “put my own emotions to the side to keep [their child] calm.”
BBC Bitesize Parenting aims to engage parents in their child’s education journey, helping to reduce stress and giving families the confidence to support learning at home. According to the latest Socioeconomic Impact Of BBC Children’s And Education report, the BBC provides education resources like Bitesize, that are associated with better exam results, improved life opportunities and social mobility.
Kerry Godliman says: “Exam season can feel intense for the whole family. As a parent, you want to help, but it is not always clear how to do that without adding more pressure. This podcast is about honest conversations and helping parents feel less alone.
And it’s not just revision we talk about on Parenting Teens. We tackle familiar challenges like screen time, how to get your teen to tidy their room, and the much-feared hormones.”
Cerys Griffiths, Head of BBC Bitesize, says: “Parents are telling us they feel unsure and overwhelmed when it comes to supporting their children, particularly during high-pressure moments like exam season.
“Bitesize Parenting has been developed in response to what families say they need most, bringing together trusted, expert-led advice in one place.“
BBC Bitesize aims to be the most trusted, accessible and used education platform in the UK, and this is about making sure families can access simple, practical support that helps them navigate learning at home and feel more confident supporting their child.”
Bitesize Parenting content, including new Parenting Teens Podcasts are available on the BBC Bitesize website and on BBC Sounds.
EDINBURGH and LOTHIANS GREENSPACE TRUST
Looking for some free fun this Easter holiday in your local park?
Head along to any or all of these workshops all about nature in West Pilton Park!
Judy Murray OBE is backing On-Mute May, Children First’s new campaign, which urges people across the country to step away from social media this May to raise vital funds and awareness of the growing dangers children face online.
Research from Scotland’s national children’s charity reveals harmful online content is the biggest threat children and young people say they face today.
In Scotland, 79% of young people report feeling worried about encountering harmful content online and 78% say they are anxious about the impact social media has on their lives. Smartphone use has also emerged as a major concern for both children and parents.
Children First warns that while phone and social media use has become deeply ingrained in everyday life, children cannot protect themselves from harmful or disturbing content and adults must take urgent action to keep them safe.
Judy Murray OBE said: “I’m delighted to be backing Children First’s On-Mute May campaign. Together we’re shining a light on the serious online harm facing children across Scotland while raising vital funds for the charity.
“I have always championed the power of sport for the life skills it develops as well as the obvious physical and mental health benefits. So, I’m encouraging everyone to take part in this digital detox and get active. It’s a great opportunity to switch off, reconnect and have fun together in whatever way you choose.
“By taking a break from social media in May, you’re not just supporting your own wellbeing, you’re helping protect Scotland’s children.”
Children First helps protect children from harm, supports families to recover from trauma, and offers guidance through its national support line and local services. Michelle Supple, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications said: “We are hugely grateful to Judy for lending her support to this important campaign.
“Across Scotland, our teams work with children and young people every single day who have experienced devastating harm online.
“Children can’t protect themselves from online dangers. We need your help. Please join On-Mute May and give up or take a break from social media to raise funds to help protect Scotland’s children.”
Young people have expressed significant concerns about online harm to Children First, underlining the importance of protecting childhood in a digital world. Sam, age 10, shared: “People in Scotland are worried about staying safe online… whether people are who they say they are.”
Erin, age 18 who has been impacted by online harm in the past said: “Being online all the time can take a toll on how you feel about yourself, how you see the world and even how people treat one another. The rise of toxic influencers, bullying in group chats, people sharing harmful content … it all adds up.
“Taking a break doesn’t mean unplugging forever. It just means giving your brain space to breathe. If you’re thinking about doing something worthwhile, join in the challenge.”
“It’s also a great opportunity to switch off and connect with your children and family and spend quality time making memories together.”
Anyone wishing to take part in On-Mute May can sign up through the Children First website: www.childrenfirst.org.uk/onmutemay
The charity’s support line is also available for anyone who is worried about a child’s online safety, call 08000 28 22 33, 365 days a year.
