‘Supporting Scotland’s Children’: new free resource from SSSC

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has released a new online resource outlining the skills, knowledge, and values essential for anyone working with babies, children, young people, and families.

Supporting Scotland’s Children – Core Knowledge and Values is a free online document of five sections, including core knowledge, core values, key policy and legislation, and practical advice, intending to provide a general level of understanding of what is necessary to support Scotland’s children and young people.

The SSSC intends it for use by anyone whose role could have an impact on children, young people, and their families, including those working with care-experienced adults or young people transitioning to adult services, and recommends its use as a guide to ensure appropriate training is conducted and high-quality support is provided.

The resource replaces the SSSC’s previous Common Core of skills, knowledge & understanding, and values, published in 2012, and includes updated information on areas that have seen significant development in the last decade, such as The Promise, Getting it Right for Every Child, and UNCRC integration.

The resource is also intended to be fully accessible, and includes screen reader compatibility, user friendly navigation, and links to further reading.

SSSC Chief Executive Maree Allison said:

This resource will be an invaluable tool for registered workers and employers as it will make sure that everyone has the same essential knowledge and shared values across all sectors.

We are committed to the wellbeing and development of children and young people across Scotland. This resource is a critical part of our drive to keep the Promise made to Scotland’s Children, young people and families, and as part of our work to promote and embed children’s rights.

In a video released alongside the resource, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise Natalie Donn-Innes said:

The new resource hosted by our partners at the Scottish Social Services Council provides you, the children’s workforce and volunteers, with an overview of core knowledge and values.

The views of children and young people have been central to developing the new guidance, taking account of what children and young people have told us is important to them and the specific characteristics they wish for the workforce to demonstrate.

Again, can I take this opportunity to thank you for the work you do in supporting making Scotland the best place for children and young people to grow up in, and for the support you provide their families.

You can find Supporting Scotland’s Children – Core Knowledge and Values here.

For more information visit the Scottish Social Services Council website.