Eating disorders and body image issues were the sixth most common concern brought up by children and young people in Scotland contacting Childline last year (April 2022 – March 2023), with 273 counselling sessions carried out on the issue.
Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, has also revealed that 40 per cent of counselling sessions with children across the UK about these issues took place in the summer months (June to September).
There are number of factors that make the summer holiday a particularly tricky time for young people struggling with their body image or relationship with food.
For some, the prospect of wearing clothing which shows more of their body can make them feel under pressure to look a certain way, lose weight or change their appearance.
This pressure can be reinforced by content they are exposed to online that makes them feel negatively about the way they way look.
At Childline, there is always someone to talk to. Our counsellors are there to listen and offer support and advice every day of the year on 0800 11111 or at www.childline.org.uk
Recent statistics highlighting a sharp increase in attacks on school staff, and the fact that almost all of these are linked to pupils with additional support needs (ASN), should come as no surprise to those like us who have been arguing for some time that this issue is quickly becoming a national scandal.
The number of children and young people with ASN has more than doubled since 2012, and now amounts to more than a third of pupils. This has been further exacerbated by increasing mental health problems, the Covid-19 pandemic and cost- of-living crisis.
However, this is set against a background of acute under-resourcing, with the number of specialist ASN teachers falling by 546 between 2012 and 2022 as just one example.
Additional funding is desperately needed to increase the numbers of specialist staff available to support those with ASN, as well as better support for teachers working with young people from a wide range of backgrounds. We would also suggest that the Scottish Government expand school counselling provision to all primary and special schools.
Violence against any member of school staff or another pupil is never acceptable, and it is critical that local authorities and the Scottish Government take all possible action to ensure that our schools are safe places to work and to learn.
The news that more than seven in 10 Scottish businesses are struggling with skills shortages, but almost 40% don’t have programmes in place for under-represented groups, highlights the considerable opportunities being missed by Scotland’s employers (29th June 2023).
This Business Barometer Report, published by The Open University and British Chambers of Commerce, outlines the need for businesses to become better at hiring those from these groups, such as young people who are disabled or care experienced.
The rewards of getting these individuals into work are well worth it. They bring passion, skills, dedication and drive to the workplace. This also allows businesses to grow and fulfil their potential, delivering economic growth.
Employers are currently missing out on an immense untapped talent pool, and never has it been more important for businesses, the government and training providers to work together to address this.
We would urge Scotland’s employers to look beyond the label and take on an employee who may have an additional need, taking advantage of the excellent skills offered by many of these young people.
Did your readers know that deaf children often fall behind in their development, because they’re not getting the right support in their early years? It’s an especially critical time for deaf children, because of the impact their deafness can have on language development, communication and social skills.
Without good communication skills learned early on, a deaf child could face lifelong challenges. For instance, when they start school they may come up against many barriers, like struggling to understand instructions in the classroom and conversations with their peers, all leading to feelings of isolation and a sense of ‘missing out’.
To make matters worse, Teachers of the Deaf, who provide specialist support and make such a difference to a deaf child’s life, are in decline in Scotland. Their numbers have fallen by 40% in a decade – twice that of other parts of the UK. It’s a scandal.
Here at the National Deaf Children’s Society, we’re determined to do something about it. That’s why we’ve just launched our new five-year plan, Every Moment Counts, which calls for more support, more quickly, for deaf children during those vital early years. We won’t rest until every deaf child receives the right support as early as possible.
For more information about Every Moment counts, visit:
The National Deaf Children’s Society supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and young people. For anyone needing advice, support or information about deafness, please call our free Helpline on 0808 800 8880 or visit our website, www.ndcs.org.uk
Debbie Talbot,
Chief Strategy Officer, the National Deaf Children’s Society
Now that the long school holiday is on the horizon, many parents in Scotland will be sorting out extra childcare over the break.
At the NSPCC Helpline, we often receive calls asking about the appropriate age to allow children to stay home alone. Between work appointments and other family commitments it’s inevitable that some parents will have to deal with this situation.
It can be difficult to know what’s best to do and it’s natural for parents to worry. With this in mind I thought it would be a good opportunity to give some insight into when it is safe for your child to be home alone.
There is no legal age that a child can be left home alone but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Every child matures differently so it would be almost impossible to have a ‘one size fits all’ law. A child who doesn’t feel comfortable should never be left home alone and, obviously, infants aged 0 to 3 should never be left, even for a few minutes. Also, we wouldn’t recommend leaving a child under 12 years old home alone, particularly for longer periods of time.
However, as children get older they may want more freedom and independence. This can present another tough decision for parents and carers, and one that will differ from child to child. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a plan in place, to help to build up their independence at a pace that is right for them.
It’s absolutely vital to talk to your child about how they feel about this situation and to ask if they are worried about anything when home alone. Regularly checking how they feel can pinpoint any concerns and will give you an idea of how to help or why they might not be ready. If they are happy to be home alone for a while, it’s always good to check in with them during that time to make sure they feel safe.
Parents can contact our helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk for more advice.
Our Childline service is available too, and children can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 1111 or via a one-to-one chat on www.childline.org.uk
This summer at Cats Protection we’re inviting cat lovers to hold a Pawsome Tea anytime, anywhere. Whether you choose to hold a casual coffee morning or a yummy bake sale at work, any funds raise will then be put towards our vital cat welfare work.
By taking part you’ll be truly ‘baking a difference’ for cats in need and you can choose whether to donate to your local branch or centre or to the charity as a whole.
With every pot of tea poured, biscuit dunked and cake cut you will help give our feline friends a chance at finding their furever home. A £10 donation could feed a cat in care for 50 days, while £50 would cover neutering a cat or kitten.
At Cats Protection we help an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year through our national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres. Our vision is to help people see the world through cats’ eyes and your cat-themed tea will help us achieve that goal.
Anyone wishing to take part can sign up by visiting:
where you will also find plenty of resources to make planning your event a piece of cake – from DIY bunting and invitations to recipe ideas and advertising posters. We can’t wait to have a cuppa with you!
Summer is well and truly on its way, which means more opportunities to be outside with friends and family and listen to live music.
In all of the fun, we sometimes forget to look after our hearing health and how loud sounds are. A live concert or festival can often reach levels of 110 decibels. Repeated or long exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or above can cause hearing loss so it is important that whilst you are sipping that overpriced beer and singing along to your favourite artist you take care of your ears.
The good news is that there are some easy ways you can still enjoy yourself and keep your hearing protected: Carry earplugs with you and use them, the reusable kind designed for clubbers and musicians don’t muffle sound, just make it a bit quieter and can protect your ears.
Stay away from the speakers – the closer you are, the greater the risk of hearing damage. And take regular breaks from the loudest areas to give your ears a rest. We want everyone to have a great summer – and at the same time keep your hearing healthy for the future.
It is important to check your hearing regularly so join over 250,000 people and take the free, online Hearing Check by visiting rnid.org.uk
Miles Briggs MSP has opened up for the first time about his father’s alcohol use, as he backs a campaign to alcohol and drugs.
In a candid and moving letter to his father as part of the See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland campaign, Miles shares his experiences as the son of a single parent who drank; he lost his mother to breast cancer at an early age.
The Lothians MSP also talks of the loss and pain he feels due to his deceased father missing spending time with his children and grandchildren.
“We all miss you but also know the pain watching you try to deal with and hide your drink problem from family and friends – from bottles hidden in the garden and around the house, the difficulty in holding down a job and for the family the worry and concerns we all felt over what would come next,” writes Miles, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP for Lothian.
He continues: “We probably don’t speak enough about you as a family – that’s partly because it can often return to what was a difficult few final years of your life. Dad, you know you weren’t perfect, but then which one of us is?”
Also backing See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland is Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland. A long-time campaigner against the stigma surrounding substance use, Monica lost her father to alcohol in 2015.
Miles’ and Monica’s letters to their fathers are included with 14 others who share letters to their loved ones on the campaign’s website.
The two MSPs will front a Scottish Parliament reception this week in Holyrood where those who helped to create the website campaign will talk about their experiences. They will stress the importance of showing kindness and offering support to everyone affected.
‘Everyone knows someone’ is the message behind See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland, launched last month by the University of Stirling, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), and The Salvation Army.
As well as hard-hitting stories and videos from family members and friends of people who have died, the website includes resources and advice for those harmed by substance use, whether for themselves or a family member or friend.
Since its launch, the campaign has gained national attention and support for its mission to shatter myths surrounding drug and alcohol use and deaths, and to encourage the public to showcompassion for those experiencing problems with substance useand the people left behind when a loved one dies.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “The important message with See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland is that there is still stigma attached to alcohol and drug use, from how people talk about it to the judgements they bring to it.
“Each of these letters is a rallying cry to make a change.
“Everyone knows someone, and we can all help steer each other towards more of an understanding of substance use and its effects on people’s lives.”
The NSPCC is calling on nurseries and schools across Scotland to join us for the Childhood Day Mile and raise vital funds to help keep children safe.
Childhood Day, on Friday 9 June, is our flagship day of fundraising where children and adults are encouraged to walk, hop, skip or wheel a mile to help raise money for children across the UK.
We’re asking schools, organisations, families and friends across Scotland to sign up.
Details on how to take part and help us raise funds for NSPCC projects can be found on the NSPCC’s online Childhood Day Hub and there are resources available to schools, nurseries and childcare groups that sign up.
We’re also looking for friendly volunteers to support us at collection points in the following places:
Morrisons, Aberdeen: Saturday, June 3, 10am-6pm
Glasgow City Centre, Buchanan Street: Friday, June 9, 11am-5pm
Asda, Aberdeen: Friday 9 June, 11am-5pm
Lidl Robroyston, Glasgow: Saturday, June 10, 10am-6pm
Old Meldrum Sports & Highland Games, Inverurie: Saturday, June 17, 11am-3pm
Whether it’s by fundraising, donating, volunteering at a collection or taking action, we’re asking people to play their part to help keep children safe from abuse.
Simply search your postcode in the link below to find the nearest collection point to you.
Did you know that in the average primary school class, at least two children will have suffered abuse or neglect? At children’s charity the NSPCC, we are doing all that we can to change this, but we need the help of people in Scotland.
Child abuse is preventable – not inevitable. That is why we have been delivering our Speak Out Stay Safe service across the country. Through a virtual assembly and in-person workshop and with the help of our mascot Buddy, our Speak Out Stay Safe programme covers topics like bullying and abuse – without using any scary words or adult language.
Children learn about the different types of abuse in a child-friendly and age-appropriate way, so they can get help if or when they need it. We help them identify a trusted adult they can talk to if they are ever worried about themselves or a friend. And they learn about Childline and how it can support them.
But to reach all primary school children in Scotland, we need people from the community to volunteer to go into schools and deliver this ground-breaking programme.
We are recruiting volunteers in the following areas – EDINBURGH, Glasgow, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Perth & Kinross, Inverness, Angus, Aberdeen City, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire.
If you can spare the time to visit two schools a month, we will give you all the training and support you need to help empower a whole generation with the understanding and confidence they need to speak out.
