Tag: Young people

Essentia Foundation invests record £3.5m in Scotland’s young people

Hundreds of young people across Scotland have benefitted from a record £3.5 million investment from the Essentia Foundation across 2025. 

This total includes their largest funding commitment to date, with £2 million recently awarded to eight leading charities across the country.

Funding will support these organisations to deliver programmes tackling youth unemployment, poverty, poor mental health and barriers to education.

Each of the eight charities, including Edinburgh-based Children First and Bethany Christian Trust, has received £250,000, enabling ambitious projects that are helping young people build resilience, develop new skills, and take steps towards brighter futures.

This major investment comes at a critical time. Young people have been disproportionately affected by recent crises, from the long-term effects of the pandemic to the pressures of the continuing cost of living crisis.

Many continue to face the lasting consequences of disrupted education and social development, alongside limited opportunities in training and employment.

Combined with ongoing mental health challenges and persistent inequality, these barriers mean that support for Scotland’s young people is more urgently needed than ever.

Brian Davidson, Trustee and Chairperson of the Essentia Foundation, said: “Scotland’s young people are facing some of the toughest challenges in generations, and the need for support has never been greater.

“These eight charities are already making a real difference in communities across the country. This funding will help create opportunities, build resilience, and give young people the skills and confidence to thrive.

“The impact of these projects will last well beyond the life of the programmes themselves, and we hope it also sparks further support from others who want to see Scotland’s young people flourish.”

Other grant recipients of £250,000 each from the Essentia Foundation include:

  • Aberlour Childcare Trust
  • Cyrenians
  • Sistema Scotland
  • The Outward Bound Trust
  • The King’s Trust
  • The Venture Trust

These awards, alongside the additional £1.5 million that has been distributed this year by the Essentia Foundation, underpin its commitment to support young people across Scotland through initiatives focused on wellbeing, education, skills development, and opportunities for employment.

The awards also mark a milestone moment for the Essentia Foundation itself. The Foundation has confirmed it will now wind up its activities, leaving a £1.5 million legacy fund to be administered by long term partner Foundation Scotland, who have been supporting the Essentia Foundation since 2017.

Helen Wray, Head of Philanthropy & Quality, Foundation Scotland said: “We are honoured to continue Essentia Foundation’s legacy through the new fund. For the last eight years, our team has had the privilege of working alongside Essentia to ensure its resources reach young people who need them most.

“This next chapter will see us build on that partnership by supporting grassroots organisations across Scotland.

“We look forward to helping smaller charities deliver vital opportunities that improve wellbeing, education and future prospects for children and young people, ensuring Essentia’s legacy and impact endures for years to come.”

This future programme will provide small grants to grassroots charities, ensuring Essentia’s mission of supporting children and young people continues well into the future.

For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/FoundationScotlandEssentia

Scotland champions the next generation of talent during Heritage Careers Week

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) welcomed more than 600 young people across Scotland as they took part in Heritage Careers Week 2025.

The festival of career events returned for its second year to spotlight opportunities in the heritage sector.

HES, in partnership with organisations across the sector, celebrated Heritage Careers Week from Monday 27 to Friday 31 October. 

The programme featured a mix of online and in-person events across the country, showcasing the wide variety of careers and employers in the sector – from conservation and archaeology to digital innovation and traditional crafts.

Highlights from the week included a careers fair at Edinburgh Castle, which welcomed over 100 attendees, and a hands-on skills taster day at The Engine Shed in Stirling, where 65 school pupils engaged directly with traditional craft experts.

Caerlaverock Castle also hosted a live skills demonstration, giving young people in Dumfries and Galloway the chance to see heritage skills in action.

As a hub of digital innovation and heritage science, HES’s dedicated building conservation centre The Engine Shed hosted the skills taster event with schools from across the Forth Valley.

In collaboration with more than 20 Scottish employers and Developing the Young Workforce, 65 young people had the opportunity to immerse themselves in interactive demonstrations including heritage science, thatching, blacksmithing, digital skills and stained glass.

Catherine Cartmell, Skills Investment Plan Manager at HES, said: “Heritage Careers Week helps people discover the diverse range of jobs available in Scotland’s heritage sector. These events give young people and adults a chance to get hands-on, meet the experts, and see how traditional skills continue to shape Scotland today.

“We’re facing a real shortage of these skills, but we hope this week’s activities will inspire the next generation to explore careers in the industry and keep these vital skills alive for years to come.

“History will soon be in the hands of the next generation.”

Heritage skills are essential in future-proofing Scotland’s historic sites and, in response to sector-wide skills shortages, events like The Engine Shed skills taster day aim to spark interest among young people and encourage them to consider a career in traditional skills.

Leona Hepburn, Principal Teacher for Positive Destinations and Transitions at Falkirk High School, said: “Events like these give the pupils hands-on experience so that they can have a go at different trades, bringing the subjects to life.

“It’s really important that events like these continue and we get more of them, because they build the picture for young people; it makes them see the jobs that are real and tangible, and not just the classroom environment.

“The young people are always buzzing afterwards! They come away and they’ve had a completely different experience to what they would in the classroom, in a safe and controlled environment. The whole event is just a lovely way to see young people grow and flourish.”

For information on how to get involved with Historic Environment Scotland’s upcoming training and skills opportunities, please visit:

 www.historicenvironment.scot/learn/skills-and-training/

Supporting young people onto the right path

£150,000 to fund grassroots youth services

Measures to help re-engage young people from low-income backgrounds with school and address anti-social behaviour have been announced by Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson.

Third sector organisation Youth Scotland will deliver a £100,000 investment in grassroots youth work to secure safe spaces for young people, helping them overcome barriers to learning and develop skills.

In addition, £50,000 has been made available to YouthLink Scotland to support measures that focus on improving school attendance and positive behaviours.

Announcing the support at Scotland’s National Youth Work Conference yesterday, Mr Macpherson said: “We want to see further investment in projects and initiatives supporting young people from communities impacted by criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, to help them take a different pathway and develop positive skills they need for learning, life and work.

“I have seen the demonstrable difference that youth workers can make in helping to divert young people away from negative paths, and instead towards positive behaviours and destinations.

“Youth work can prevent violence and anti-social behaviour before it starts, by offering trusted relationships, safe environments, and positive role models, and often reducing risky harmful behaviours from escalating.

“Youth workers support young people to build confidence and resilience, and develop skills to navigate challenges, reach their full potential, and positively contribute to their communities.” 

CashBack for Communities supports thousands of young people

Report highlights impact of programme

A programme funded from the seized assets of criminals delivered £6.2 million funding to support over 15,000 young people during 2024-25. 

The money has been used by Cashback for Communities to support 29 organisations delivering projects that divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime. 

A report into the second year of the programme’s three-year funding phase, which runs from April 2023 to March 2026, showed that after taking part in CashBack for Communities projects: 

  • 8,881 young people reported that they were less likely to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour 
  • 7,049 young people reported they had reduced involvement in anti-social or criminal activity 
  • 11,810 young people reported an increase in their wellbeing 
  • 10,524 young people reported positive changes in behaviour 

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “This report highlights the success of the Cashback for Communities programme which helps to divert young people from crime and anti-social behaviour and to make informed choices about their future — choices that positively impact them, their families and communities. 

“It is more than an early intervention programme – partners provide a range of support and activities offering safe spaces, trusted adults and opportunities that benefit young people to feel supported and inspired to thrive.

“Since 2008, CashBack has committed £156 million to supporting around 1.4 million young people across all 32 local authorities.

“Cashback’s success is also testament to the work of law enforcement partners in disrupting organised crime groups – bringing them to justice and seizing their ill-gotten gains, using them to deliver a successful programme across the country.”

Free Lifeguard Training opens doors for young Edinburgh talent

Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with The King’s Trust, is offering an exciting opportunity for young people aged 16-30 years to launch a career in lifeguarding through a comprehensive free training programme starting next month (August 2025).

To be eligible to apply, candidates must NOT be currently in full-time work or education (including school) and they must be aged between 16 and 30 years old.

Programme Highlights

The innovative ‘Get into Lifeguarding’ initiative provides a structured pathway to employment, featuring:

  • A pre-selection day with a swim test which will take place on 13 August
  • Free 1-week National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course
  • One week of work experience at one of Edinburgh Leisure pool venues
  • Mentorship from experienced staff
  • Job interview preparation
  • Up to six months of post-programme support
  • Reimbursed travel expenses and lunches

Programme Timeline

Week 1:         King’s Trust Team Building & Employability Skills Workshops at King’s Trust Venue

Week 2:         NPLQ course week at Edinburgh Leisure Venue. 

Week 3:         King’s Trust CV and Interview Preparation Workshops at King’s Trust Venue

Week 4:         Work Placement Week at Edinburgh Leisure Venue. 

Week 5:         Guaranteed Interviews & Celebration Event with Edinburgh Leisure & King’s Trust

Franek Karwacki, 18, from Trinity, is one of a previous cohort’s success stories. He left Trinity High School in summer 2024 with outstanding A-grade Highers and had been working part-time in a fish and chip shop.

Unlike many of his peers who pursued immediate university education, Franek chose an alternative path. Encouraged by his father, he applied to the ‘Get Into Lifeguarding Course’ offered by the King’s Trust in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, viewing it as an opportunity for professional development and personal growth.

Unlike his university-bound friends who were burning through their savings, it was an opportunity for him to earn a steady income in his ‘gap year’. The shift work didn’t bother him either with him enthusing: “I quite enjoy the earlies, starting at 5:30am and ending at 2pm, as it gives me time to pursue my passion for basketball,” he says.

The programme opened a door he hadn’t even considered before. “I hadn’t necessarily thought about lifeguarding as a career path,” Franek admitted, “but now I’ve gained skills that were completely paid for and got a job. The support from both Edinburgh Leisure and the King’s Trust transformed what could have been an uncertain period into a real opportunity.”

A year on, having worked as a lifeguard at Leith Victoria, the qualifications have springboarded him into his next chapter.  He has recently left Edinburgh Leisure to finally join his peers by heading to university in Sweden to study Economics and Society.  

 “I’m going to be looking into lifeguarding opportunities while I’m in Sweden to support my studies, so the qualifications have definitely come in handy.”

Karen West, Manger at Portobello Swim Centre emphasised the programme’s broader mission: “This initiative is a win-win. We’re providing young people with a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and potentially launch a career in the leisure industry. 

“For many young people, like Franek, this could be life-changing for them.”

How to Apply

For Programme related enquiries and to apply, email by 7 August:

CentralSouthEastScotlandOperations@kingstrust.org.uk 

Spaces are limited to 12 participants. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity!

Scran Academy launches new youth-led café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

North Edinburgh-based social enterprise Scran Academy has announced the official opening of its exciting new youth empowerment café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) – the New Sick Kids.  

Scran Academy is an Edinburgh youth work social enterprise on a mission to help young people realise their full potential in learning, work and life. Set within the Edinburgh children’s hospital, the new Scran Café is a key milestone in its drive to open doors for young people in the region.  

Building on four successful years running a popular café at NHS Lothian’s Comely Bank site, Scran Academy’s new café at RHCYP will provide employment and support for dozens of young people across Lothian, giving them opportunities to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and grow in confidence within a supportive work environment.

Initially employing six young people, the site will also provide a platform for hundreds of work placements and paid jobs. 

The RHCYP offers world-class healthcare facilities for children and adults both locally and nationally with 600,000 staff, patients and visitors coming through its doors every year. 

The bright youth-led space at Scran Café has been thoughtfully designed to offer a calm and comforting environment for both patients and their families navigating a hospital stay as well as staff taking a break from a busy shift. 

Commenting on the opening, Will Bain, CEO of Scran Academy said: “Getting the keys to our Scran Café at the RHCYP is such huge step for us! We’ve got big plans to make this a brilliant, buzzing youth-led hub that brings young people’s voices and choices to life. 

“Over the next 3 years our café at the RHCYP will provide work and training for over two hundred young staff and volunteers. Every one of these young people will access the opportunities, relationships and experiences needed to help them build their own futures.  

 “We’ve demonstrated our model through our partnership with NHS Lothian in the Comely Bank Centre, where we see dozens of young people step out of their café experiences proud, capable and ready for what’s next. Now we are ready to step it up a gear – and we are so excited to be doing it at the RHCYP, one of the most important places in our city.” 

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Service Director for Women’s and Children’s at NHS Lothian said: ”We are thrilled to be welcoming Scran Café to RHCYP this summer. For our hard-working teams, patients and families alike, the new café will offer a bright and welcoming space to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the hospital.  

“NHS Lothian is proud to be an Anchor Institution. Our mission to deliver world class health and social care is complemented by our desire to make our buildings and service delivery work in ways that support community wealth building and stable, secure employment.

“Building on our partnership with Scran Academy’s successful café at our Comely Bank site, we look forward to working together to increase access to fair work opportunities for young people in the region.” 

Councillor Jane Meagher said “What makes Scran and this cafe unique, is that they really live the principle that every young person has the potential, and the power, to thrive when given the right support. The young staff team here today are shaping their own futures. 

“This is exactly the kind of innovative model we want to champion in Edinburgh, where employability goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing, and where young people are supported not just to work, but to feel happy, valued and confident while doing so. 

“I am especially proud to know that Scran is fully integrated into the Council’s Accredited Pathways Framework for Schools, which means they are a key delivery partner in offering meaningful learning routes that equips young people right across Edinburgh with real-life experience, accredited training, and a strong sense of purpose.” 

MPs to investigate children’s TV and video content

A new inquiry will explore the provision of children’s TV and video content in the UK and what can be done to ensure future generations continue to have access to high-quality British-made programming. 

Research from Ofcom shows a structural shift in the viewing habits of young people, with television viewing by children dropping and YouTube now the most used app or site by children of all ages, with 88% of 3 to 17-year-olds using it last year.

The changing ways in which audience consume TV and video, has made it more challenging for public service broadcasters to make original TV content for children and for it to be found. This has a knock-on effect for those in our creative industries who want to make quality UK TV and video for children.  

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry will therefore examine how to ensure those making original high-quality content can continue and how it can be made easier to find it online. 

It will also explore issues relating to parental control of online content, the potential positive and negative effects of how children watch TV and video content on their health and development, and wider issues relating to the sector’s contribution to the economy and its importance to the UK’s cultural identity. 

Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: “Children’s viewing habits have come a long way, but whether they watch through a smart TV or a tablet, there is still demand for good quality TV and video for children.

“We all want young people to have access to a range of programming, so in addition to cartoons, they also see drama and factual programmes. We want them to be able to be educated and inspired, as well as entertained. 

“Changes to the media landscape, particularly the shift in viewing to YouTube, pose huge challenges for the future of children’s programming and the continued production of original content by our public service broadcasters.

“We want to know what prominence means for programmes made for children in the future world of smart TVs, streaming, video sharing platforms and endless choice.   

“We have a proud history of high-quality children’s television in the UK. Our inquiry will be showcasing the contribution the sector makes to both our culture and economy and how we can best ensure that content designed for children in all its forms continues to both educate and entertain.”

Terms of reference 

The Committee is inviting written submissions in response to the following questions: 

Children’s TV and video content in the UK 

  1. Who is commissioning and making original, high-quality, TV and video content for children and young audiences in the UK?
    1.  How can they be best supported to continue to make more?
  2. How does the range of content and genres for children vary between that provided by public service media, subscription channels, and both short- and long-form video sharing platforms?
    1. Which audiences, by age or other characteristic, are currently being underserved?
    2.  How can we increase the amount of news and factual programming made for children on TV and online?

Finding children’s TV and video content online 

  1. How can it be made easier to find original, high-quality, TV and video content for children online?
    •  How can the attribution of public service children’s content on video sharing platforms be improved?
  2. How effective are the tools available for parents to control what children are watching on public service media, subscription channels, video sharing platforms? 

Health and child development 

  1. What evidence is there that the TV and video content that children watch, and how they watch it, can contribute:
    • Positively to their health, learning and development?
    •  Negatively to their health, learning and development?

Wider benefits of children’s TV 

  1. How does children’s TV made in the UK contribute to:
    • The UK’s culture and identity?
    • Our cultural and economic exports?

Shameless Youths celebrate success of campaign for healthy relationships

Young people who have been leading a campaign to remove shame from conversations about relationships and online safety have celebrated their achievements with an event at Clydebank Town Hall. 

The Shameless Youths campaign, involving 17 young people supported by NSPCC Scotland, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Youth Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, launched last November.

It was set up to support parents and carers, professionals and young people to have realistic, judgement free and informed conversations about healthy relationships, on and offline.  

During the past six months the group of young people from West Dunbartonshire Youth Council have spread their message of healthy relationships, including what consent online looks like, through their web pages, video content, social media, posters and leaflets. 

They have reached at least 470 professionals, 104 parents and carers, 365 young people, and had 2,334 views of their video. 

The group, who named their campaign ‘Shameless Youths’, also worked with Glasgow artist Maya Rose Edwards to help create sculptures and other artworks that were displayed at Clydebank Town Hall earlier this year.  

At the event, on June 26, Shameless Youths took to the stage to explain their goals and motivation for getting involved and what they have enjoyed most and gained from the experience.  

Ilse Sanchez Posso, Lead Officer with Violence Against Women and Girls, and West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, also spoke about why the campaign matters to West Dunbartonshire.  

Euan MacLaren, NSPCC Campaigns Officer in Scotland, said: “The young people of Shameless Youths have been amazing to work with. They have engaged with a challenging topic head-on with courage, determination and a passion for change.  

“They have inspired parents, carers and professionals across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to have positive, supportive conversations with the young people in their lives, and helped young people understand what healthy relationships look like.  

“It’s been an honour to work with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.” 

Rhianna (16), a member of the Shameless Youths group, said: “There’s been lots of fun moments working on this campaign, including making the video. It has really strengthened our bonds. 

“Working with Maya was also incredible; they were brilliant at engaging us and allowing our voices to be heard. It’s been lovely to see how many people we’ve reached with the campaign; it’s really inspiring.” 

Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “While many children are confident online, technology is constantly evolving, and it is important for groups like this to raise awareness to the benefit and the dangers of being online. 

“Shameless Youths is sending a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges to create an online world where children and young people feel safe, included and empowered and I thank them for raising awareness of this important subject.” 

West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, said: “Keeping young people safe online is essential and the Shameless Youths should be very proud of everything they’ve achieved to advocate for others.

“It’s brilliant that they have been willing to step up and give voice to what’s important to them. 

“They have done a great job of working together collaboratively to spread some very important messages including letting other young people know that if things do go wrong help is available.” 

Resources for parents, carers, professionals and young people will continue to be available on the Shameless Youths website. The campaign also has plans to reach more young people and adults over the next year. 

If you are worried about the welfare of a young person, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.    

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday. 

The Shameless Youths campaign was led by a group of 17 young people aged 15 to 20. They named it ‘Shameless Youths’ because they want to be supported, not shamed or judged for their choices, even when something went wrong or mistakes happened. 

Local school kids team up with viral Grammy-longlisted young rappers to create new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Young musicians (aged 9-12) from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration, blending Irish and Scottish Gaelic in a creative celebration of language, culture, and connection.

The project, led by Cork’s Kabin Crew (the collective behind the Grammy Award longlisted viral hit ‘The Spark’) and Tinderbox Collective, brings together nine young artists from Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce (Parkside Primary School), a Gaelic-medium primary school in Edinburgh and five experienced young performers from the Kabin Studio’s ‘Kabin Crew’ project in Cork, who have been co-writing a rap song exploring their shared heritage.

Funded by the Foras na Gaeilge – Colmcille Fund, and supported by Barr na gCnoc, University College Cork, the initiative has seen the group connect through eight online writing sessions, where they have shared stories, built friendships, and co-written a rap track that explores the theme “Edinburgh vs Cork.” 

During the online sessions, the young artists shared stories about their hometowns, swapped slang, and exchanged other phrases in Irish and Scots Gaelic. The writing process became a cultural exchange as much as a musical one.

Each group writes in their own language, yet the similarities between Irish and Scots Gaelic have sparked a lot of interest, fun and humour, which really highlights the deep linguistic and cultural ties between Scotland and Ireland. The result is a vibrant, joyful track that reflects their creativity, curiosity, and cultural pride.

Jed Milroy, General Manager at Tinderbox Collective, said: “Tinderbox Collective are so excited to be collaborating with The Kabin Studio on this unique creative project.

“Their ambitious approach to making youth music both accessible as well as of the highest quality is truly inspiring for us all and to be part of them using that platform to promote Gaelic and Irish is a real honour. Long may it continue!”

From grass-roots youth work to award-winning productions, Tinderbox aims to ignite a spark in people – one which fills them with confidence, imagination, and sense of possibility, and helps them achieve things they never thought possible.

Their work uses music and the arts to bring people together and strengthen communities, providing exciting opportunities to those who need them most, and supporting young people to build their confidence, skills, self-esteem, and professional experience.

Máire Dineen, Programme Manager at Kabin Crew, said: “The Kabin Studio is delighted to be part of this project and looks forward to building new relationships with our Scottish friends through music and language.”

The collaboration will culminate in a professional recording and music video. Five of the Edinburgh participants will travel to Cork on 27th June to record the track at the Kabin Studio, while five members of Kabin Crew will later visit Edinburgh to film the video alongside their new collaborators.

The Kabin Studio, based in Knocknaheeny, Cork, is a dynamic youth music and creative hub known for empowering young people through songwriting, rap, and performance. It provides a safe and inspiring space for young artists to express themselves, collaborate, and develop their talents.

Talking about this project, Heidi from Kabin Crew, said: “I feel it’s an amazing way for kids in the North Side to learn Irish and Gaelic.

“I can’t wait to meet my new friends in Edinburgh, they were really nice over Zoom, super sweet and I can’t wait to meet them”

Archie, aged 10, from Edinburgh said – “It’s been working really well getting to write a song in Gaelic and Irish and meeting the Kabin Studio guys.

“It’s really interesting to meet Irish Gaelic rappers. I hope is that if we keep doing this we could get as famous as the Kabin Crew!”

By writing and performing in Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, these young artists are helping to bring these rich, historically underrepresented languages to audiences who wouldn’t usually engage with them and showing them that Gaelic languages are not only alive but thriving in the voices of the next generation.

The Tinderbox and Kabin Crew collaboration will be released later this year.

NSPCC calls for all children in Scotland to have access to relationships and sex education

  • Relevant and consistent relationships and sex education is fundamental to encouraging positive behaviour and helps protect children from abuse
  • Provision of this education in Scotland is patchy and inconsistent
  • NSPCC calls for statutory duty to provide, more detailed guidance and greater prioritisation in the curriculum

The NSPCC is calling for all schools in Scotland to provide age-appropriate, consistent and relevant relationships and sex education to children and young people, as it reveals that over two-thirds of adults (67%) in Scotland believe it should be compulsory.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by the NSPCC, of over 1,000 adults across Scotland, also found that at least 90% of adults think it is important that relationships and sex education should include children and young people being taught about healthy and unhealthy friendships and relationships (90%); the types of abuse and how to seek help (94%); and online risks including risks of sending and sharing nude images of someone under the age of 18 (93%).

Despite the public backing for all schools in Scotland to teach relationships and sex education, the NSPCC has found from its campaigns work across the country that young people consider the delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education patchy and insufficient. The charity believes that without a stronger statutory foundation, many children will miss out on vital knowledge that could protect them from harm.

NSPCC research and international studies show that consistent, relevant, inclusive and age-appropriate relationships and sex education helps children and young people:

  • Understand healthy and unhealthy relationships
  • Develop empathy, respect and responsibility in relationships
  • Recognise inappropriate behaviour and abuse
  • Speak up and seek help when something is wrong
  • Navigate online risks and pressures

There is also evidence to show it plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers and taboos, giving young people the language to express their experiences, and fosters a positive school culture, helping to tackle poor behaviour.

While RSHP is part of the health and wellbeing area of Curriculum for Excellence, local areas have discretion about what is taught and when. National guidance on RSHP is currently being redeveloped following a consultation carried out by the Scottish Government in 2023.

To ensure every child in Scotland receives appropriate, high-quality relationships and sex education, the NSPCC Scotland is calling for:

  • Statutory duty for education authorities to provide it
  • Stronger recognition of children and young people’s right to this education, and their right to be involved in its delivery, in line with the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Clear and practical guidance for schools with examples of how RSHP should be delivered and tools to track and measure children’s learning
  • Adequate funding, professional training, time and resources for teachers to deliver effective RSHP
  • Regular monitoring and review by Education Scotland

Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Associate Head of Policy, said: “We believe it’s crucial that every child and young person in Scotland has access to high-quality, inclusive, relevant and age-appropriate RSHP education.

“It is essential to preventing abuse, and teaches young people about how to recognise healthy, unhealthy and abusive behaviours in others and themselves. However, we know from our work with young people that not all pupils in Scotland receive consistent education in this area.

“All other countries in the UK have recognised the importance of this education and have placed it on a statutory footing. It is critical that the Scottish Government shows it truly values RSHP education by upholding the rights of every child to receive it and ensuring teachers and schools are adequately resourced to deliver it.”

Bold Girls Ken, delivered in partnership with NSPCC Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council and the Young Women’s Movement, saw young women from Perthshire campaign for greater awareness of healthy relationships and consent, on and offline.

Fatima Ishaq, a participant of Young Women Know, said: “Better quality RSHP education is vital. From my experience, and so many other young people across the country, RSHP education is inconsistent and fails to reflect the diverse lived experiences of young people.

“By creating safe and non-judgemental spaces for young people to speak openly about topics like healthy relationships, we can empower them and build their knowledge and confidence.

“High quality RSHP means young people can better understand their bodies, feelings, rights and the experiences of others; reducing stigma and supporting young people to make informed choices.”

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.