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"In a small country where people are well connected, adaptable and aspirational, great changes are possible”

Providing a safe and therapeutic space for children and young people who have been victims or witnesses of harm, the Bairns' Hoose model has the potential to transform the care, justice and recovery systems.

Here, Henry Mathias explores the background to implementing the model, and discusses the challenges that lie ahead.

Just a few months ago, Scotland's first "Bairns' Hoose" (click for more) opened its doors, marking a significant step forward in our country's commitment to providing coordinated, comprehensive support under one roof for all children and young people in the protection and justice systems.

Informed by the Barnahus model, which originated in Scandinavia in the late 1990s and has since become commonplace across many European countries, it has taken years of hard work and determination to see this innovative, holistic approach become reality.

Implemented as a key action from The Promise, and underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Scotland's Bairns' Hoose model centres on the creation of safe and welcoming places for children to go once a crime of abuse or violence has been reported, and brings therapeutic support, child protection, recovery and justice services together in one place through a "four rooms" concept.

With cross-party support, and a commitment from the Scottish Government to make a Bairns' Hoose available to all children who need it by 2025, the Care Inspectorate joined forces with Healthcare Improvement Scotland in 2019 to set about creating national standards to support a consistent, national implementation of the Barnahus model.

When we began this work, we already knew that Scotland's protection and justice systems hadn't always worked well for children and young people. Many families told us that after being a victim or witness, interaction with a multitude of statutory services - including the police, social workers, doctors, nurses and other professionals – made the experience even more difficult. In fact, many described the process as re-traumatising, as young people had to relive what had happened to them up to 14 times, often in different settings, with unfamiliar faces.

We also knew from our work bringing health and social care together to develop Scotland's Health and Social Care Standards, which came into effect in 2018, that an integrated model with one common framework was no easy task. We have built on the strengths of the joint police and social work Scottish Child Interview Model and brought in other professionals to be part of a new multi-disciplinary team. The collective focus of the team is the safety and wellbeing of the child victim.

It’s a considerable achievement that health and justice have come into the same space, which should mean that children and other family members experience a much more seamless and sympathetic all-round service. Being able to record video interviews to a consistently high standard in the Bairns’ Hoose should also mean that fewer children have to be cross-examined for court cases going forward. Scotland has adopted an ambitious and inclusive Barnahus model by including health and therapeutic support and ensuring siblings and other family members are eligible. In keeping with the holistic Kilbrandon principles, children under the age of criminal responsibility whose behaviour has caused harm can also access the Bairns’ Hoose, which adds a further layer of support.

To get it right and to make a difference, we needed children at the heart of the process. To make the standards outcome-focused, and embed individual, lived experience, children contributed to the drafting of the standards. We listened to and respected the voices of children, not by bringing them to an adult setting, but by funding participation groups that met in safe, protected spaces, which made it easier for them to express their opinions.

For Bairns’ Hoose implementation to be successful, the ongoing participation of children and organisations supporting them needs to continue.

This excerpt was taken from Issue 5 of Insight, the bi-annual publication for Children in Scotland members.

To read the full interview, you'll need a digital subscription, which costs just £10 per year and provides access to two issues. For more information, contact Alice Hinds: ahinds@childreninscotland.org.uk

Already a member? Click here to read Insight Issue 5

About the author

Henry Mathias is Head of Professional Standards and Practice at The Care Inspectorate

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Insight Issue 5

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Making cyber security fun for children

As the issue of staying safe online impacts people in their personal and professional lives, Frances O’Neill, founder of Story Learning, discusses a project that is advocating for cyber resilience skills to be developed in the early years

Children are growing up in a digital world. According to a recent report by Ofcom, 97% of children in the UK have access to the internet with 86% of 5-7-year-olds using tablet devices to go online.

As a result of living in a hyper-connected digital environment, cyber-attacks on banks and businesses and the hacking of our personal information are ever-present dangers. We all need to be vigilant and improve our cyber resilience skills and the earlier we learn these skills, the better.

We don’t want children to be like some grown-ups who use the same password for everything; we want to embed good cyber resilience skills in our early years learners.

We are hardwired to remember stories, and this is why stories have been used as a way to teach people since the beginning of time.

Together with Education Scotland we have created a storybook 'The Bongles and The Crafty Crows' (click here to visit the website) with a rhyming story that encourages young children to recognise the importance of creating difficult to guess passcodes and passwords. The story follows the Bongles characters trying to keep their treasure secure from the crafty crows who are rather good at ‘shoulder surfing’ and cracking codes.

'The Bongles and The Crafty Crows' is the latest in a series of illustrated children's books, ebooks, and animated audiobooks that tell imaginative, funny, and eco-friendly stories about the Bongles characters. The Bongles are colourful bouncy creatures who reuse, repair, and upcycle objects that wash up onto the pristine shores of their paradise-like island.

The book, which is also available in Gaelic, raises awareness of the importance of secure passcodes and strong passwords made up of three random words. The animation, games and learning activities on the website reinforce this message (click here to view the website). The aim is to help children navigate their digital world safely and more securely.

Our vision is that good ‘cyber hygiene’ becomes embedded in early years learners and that the children encourage good practice at home, teaching their parents and carers about the importance of cyber resilience.

Sixty thousand books are being distributed to every Primary 1 pupil in Scotland. Education Scotland is running a series of webinars, and these are reaching thousands of children.

We developed the story with children, and they even came up with the name of the book. The story is filled with wonderful ideas from the children’s amazing creative imaginations, and it speaks directly to them.

Education Scotland set up a group of advisory teachers who tested the story with their five-year-old pupils, so children have been at the heart of this project from the outset. The advisory group of teachers also developed the learning activities; there are 14 different lesson plans for parents and carers to download and use at school or at home.

We believe this storybook for early years learners is a world first. With this book, Scotland wants to create a cyber resilient nation and we hope this innovative initiative inspires other governments to follow our lead.

We are digital citizens, members of a wider digital community, and it’s important to recognise that we are interlinked and responsible for not just our own but for other people’s digital safety and security.

The Bongles books have stories of cooperation and teamwork at their core, and these too are good skills to learn as we all rely on one another to have good cyber hygiene. A slipup from one person who is taken-in by a phishing scam and clicks on a bad link can compromise a whole organisation - we all need to improve our cyber resilience skills so that we can protect one another and live in a secure cyber world.

Click here to find out more about 'The Bongles and the Crafty Crows' 

About the author

Frances O'Neill is founder of Story Learning, creating stories with a purpose - to engage, inspire and inform

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The Bongles and The Crafty Crows

Discover more about these illustrated books that raise awareness of cyber security in the early years

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Insight magazine Issue 3 now available for non-members

As part of our commitment to supporting professionals and practitioners across the children’s sector, we open access to previous editions of our member magazine, Insight, one year after publication, allowing non-members to read the digital edition for free. 

The third issue of Insight, originally published in November 2022, is packed with profiles, interviews and features, which take a critical look at some of the big issues facing children, young people and families today.

In the magazine's lead four-page interview, Kenny Murray, Director of Inclusion and Engagement at Who Cares? Scotland (click here for more), shares why accountability is key when supporting Care Experienced people.

Since the late 1970s, Who Cares? Scotland has been a source of support, a champion of rights and a powerhouse of progress for Care Experienced people throughout the country.

The charity has passionately pursued legislative change and was instrumental in ensuring the right to remain in care extended upwards to the age of 26, as outlined in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. It is the driving force behind an ongoing campaign to recognise Care Experience as a protected characteristic and played a key role in the Independent Care Review, leading to the establishment of The Promise.

Who Cares? Scotland is committed to ensuring that the voices of Care Experienced people are listened to, and advocacy is a crucially important part of their work.

A recent development of its advocacy service has been the introduction of a helpline available to anyone of any age who is Care Experienced, recognising that the challenges of having been in care can be carried well into adulthood.

It has had significant influence in challenging stereotypes through work with leading media outlets on their representation of Care Experienced people and was involved in a sensitivity read of the popular Tracy Beaker TV series. The charity encourages Care Experienced people themselves to challenge misrepresentation – or better yet, provide their own alternative.

A national representative body, made up of Care Experienced people, guide its work and the Who Cares? Scotland board has strong representation of Care Experienced people.

Writer, campaigner and media consultant Kenny Murray embodies all of this. He is open about his own experience of being in care and the frustrating lack of progress since he left the system 18 years ago, arguing that, whilst policy change is welcome, the real progress needs to be cultural and societal, encompassing how Care Experienced people are treated, represented and supported throughout their lives.

To read the full interview with Kenny, click the link below, where you'll also find:

  • A piece by Dr Lynn McNair, who reflects on the opportunities a later school start age could bring
  • Alison Watson, from Shelter Scotland, commenting on the record number of children in temporary accommodation
  • And Magic Torch Comics on how sequential storytelling can help unlock literacy.

Insight Issue 3 is now available, click here to read

Are you a Children in Scotland member? Click here to access the latest edition of Insight, Issue 5  (log in required)

Insight Issue 3

Read the third edition of Insight, including an interview with Kenny Murray

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Insight Issue 5

Read the current issue of Insight, featuring 40-pages of interviews and features

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Innovation in school meals in focus, as International School Meals Day 2024 launches

International School Meals Day (ISMD) has launched for 2024. This year's theme is ‘Innovation in school meals: new routes to sustainable nutrition’. 

ISMD aims to encourage children and young people around the world (with support from their teachers and families) to connect and talk to each other about the food they eat and the role that it plays in their lives. 

The date of ISMD 2024 is Thursday 14 March. 

This year’s theme encourages pupils, and school food providers, to think about nutrition in new, exciting and sustainable ways. 

Schools and communities are invited to share their activity via written pieces, drawings or photographs, audio or video, and good practice will be showcased on the ISMD website. 

A resource pack for schools has been launched, with classroom resources to support participation. 

In preparation for the day, school staff can explore nutrition in a variety of ways, introducing ISMD into curricular areas including science, home economics, geography and art. The aim is to demonstrate the breadth of innovation across Scotland and beyond and share ways of ensuring that school meals have a sustainable future. 

International School Meals Day is managed by Children in Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government. 

Head of Engagement and Learning at Children in Scotland, Simon Massey, said: 'So much has changed over recent years with both challenges and exciting developments happening across the world so, as we move into our 12th year celebrating International School Meals Day, I’m really looking forward to what people will share when thinking about our theme of innovation and nutrition. 

I look forward to seeing all sorts of new, clever, inspiring or re-imagined things come through.” 

 

Click here to find out more and download the 2024 resource pack:
https://internationalschoolmealsday.com/

 

International School Meals Day

Find out more about this global day with the aim of raising awareness of good nutrition for all children

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ISMD 2024 resource pack

Download this pack of graphics and classroom resources to help celebrate International School Meals Day

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"Climate justice offers us a pathway to a world where all of us are free”

At just 25-years-old, Mikaela Loach has already achieved more than many people could manage in a whole lifetime. And yet, freshly graduated from university, she’s just getting started.

Alongside fellow Paid To Pollute campaigners, in the past few years, the young activist has taken the UK government to court over its public payments to fossil fuel companies, built a social media community of more than 180,000 like-minded people, launched a successful podcast, and penned a bestselling book, It’s Not That Radical, which explores the intersectional issues of capitalism, white privilege, poverty, and climate change.

If all that wasn’t enough, the articulate campaigner has also taken part in countless protests, including camping outside Westminster Abbey, alongside studying for a medical degree at the University of Edinburgh, which involved completing clinical placements throughout the pandemic.

Here, Mikaela, who has been named as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement by the likes of Forbes, Global Citizen and BBC Woman’s Hour, speaks to Children in Scotland about her journey from teen activist to fighting for climate justice on a world stage – and how our young people can do the same by working together for collective change.

Alice Hinds: Many children and young people feel their opinions are not valued. Having got involved in activism at a young age, what helped you find your voice?

Mikaela Loach: I think it was just knowing that nothing has ever changed passively in this world. If we want things to change, we have to make them change.

As young people, we’re often told that we are naive or immature, and we don’t understand the world for wanting things to be different, wanting a world where everyone is safe and has dignified and free lives. But, actually, what is often characterised as naivety is our greatest strength. We can see that so much of this world doesn’t make any sense, and rather than allowing ourselves to be shut down by other people, we should instead say over and over again – ‘this world does not make sense and that we want something different. We want something safer and better. We deserve that and we can get that.’

 When it comes to climate crisis, young voices in particular are so important. We are one of the most impacted groups in this world, and we are going to be impacted disproportionately by this crisis. It’s so important that we do speak out, and realise that so many of the liberties and freedoms that we have now are because other people chose to be brave. Whether it was the civil rights movement, women’s rights and suffrage, or disability justice, people put their heads above the parapet and spoke out – and that’s how change happens.

AH: Within your best-selling book, It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World, you talk about “active hope”– do you think there is a risk of young people, in particular, struggling with eco-anxiety and feeling hopeless about their future?

MK: I talk about active hope because I see hope as an active stance. Often, we’re told that things, the world, will just get better over time – but it’s not passive, it’s an active process, and we all have to be part of making the world better.

Eco-anxiety is rife in young people, we feel so anxious about our future. That anxiety comes from feeling that there’s nothing that we can do about it, as if the future has already been written and we have to just be OK with it. We can combat that by realising that we do have agency, we do have power, we can do things, and the future is not written – we are the ones writing the future, so we have to have the bravery to write something different.

AH: Alongside climate change, Scotland’s younger generations are facing a plethora of injustices that will impact their future. How do you remain optimistic in the face of so many challenges?

MK: It’s hard. All the oppressive issues in this world are connected to each other. There is no single issue struggle because we do not live single issue lives, as the great [American writer] Audre Lorde said. I understand that if all these issues are connected – and in my work I have an intersectional lens that sees these connections – then I’ll know that the work I’m doing to unravel one part of the oppression will unravel the whole tapestry. It reminds me that what we’re fighting for is not just one siloed liberation, it’s the liberation of all of us – and that’s exciting. Climate justice offers us a pathway to a world without misogyny, without homophobia, without racism, without classism, without transphobia. A world where all of us are free. We can do that, but we have to fight for that. Even just saying that has brought me some more hope.

AH: Do you believe politicians and world leaders have a responsibility to future generations when it comes to actively tackling climate change?

MK: Absolutely. Politicians and world leaders should always have a responsibility to future generations when they’re making any policy, but especially with the climate crisis because it is so urgent. For future generations, we need to have a policy of no new oil and gas and scaling down fossil fuels rather than scaling them up. Having no new oil and gas is key if we want to have future generations and if we want to have a world for us to live in.

This excerpt was taken from Issue 5 of Insight, the bi-annual publication for Children in Scotland members.

To read the full interview, you'll need a digital subscription, which costs just £10 per year and provides access to two issues. For more information, contact Alice Hinds: ahinds@childreninscotland.org.uk

Already a member? Click here to read Insight Issue 5

About the author

Mikaela Loach is a climate justice activist and best-selling author

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Insight Issue 5

Find out what's inside the latest issue. Illustration by Ally McKay

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The Learning Guide: July-December 2023

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Join us in membership

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Yopa extends partnership with Children in Scotland during 30th anniversary year

Award-winning estate agents, Yopa, will be extending its partnership with Children in Scotland for another six months including sponsorship of the upcoming 30th anniversary networking event.

Since the partnership began in September 2022, Yopa has offered significant support on a number of projects including being one of the sponsors for the return of the in-person Children in Scotland Annual Conference in November 2022, Children in Scotland’s Mental Health Conference 2023, as well as the work of Changing our World, the organisation’s children and young people’s advisory group.

The six-month extension to the partnership will include Yopa’s support of Children in Scotland’s 30th anniversary networking event which will take place at Edinburgh’s City Art Centre on Thursday 30 November. The event, which will bring together more than 100 representatives from across the children’s sector, will include speeches and a performance from a musician working with Drake Music Scotland, plus networking opportunities.

Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, said: "The Yopa Scotland team works at the heart of our local communities, and many of us are parents too; we all want the best for our young people and the places they grow up in, and we're delighted to be able to support an organisation working for the same goal. Like Children in Scotland, we believe that every young person should have equal access to art, culture, education and opportunities, and live in a world free from discrimination.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting Children in Scotland’s 30th anniversary event. Bringing together some of the individuals and organisations who have helped to make meaningful change for children and young people in Scotland over the last three decades, we expect it will be a very inspiring evening.”

Simon Massey, Head of Engagement and Learning at Children in Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Yopa and to work with an organisation who shares our vision that all children in Scotland have an equal chance to flourish. Yopa’s contributions have already made a huge difference to our work at such a critical time given the challenges children, young people and their families currently face in Scotland.

“Looking towards the next six-months, we look forward to working with Yopa on our 30th anniversary networking event. The event provides an important opportunity to celebrate all that has been achieved over the past 30 years, while also setting a course for our work in the future.”

About Yopa

Yopa is an award-winning national estate agency providing all the services of a traditional agency but for a fair fixed fee. From our exceptional agents and extra services to our simple online tool for booking and hosting viewings, Yopa is great at taking some of the worry, stress and hassle away from selling or buying your home. Having been launched by customers for customers just a few years ago, Yopa is already a top 10 UK estate agency brand with more than 160 local estate agents.

Click here for more information about Yopa

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30th anniversary networking event

Children in Scotland's 30th anniversary event will take place on Thursday 30 November

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New partnership set to improve access to education for children’s sector professionals

An exciting new partnership between The Open University in Scotland and Children in Scotland is set to improve access to education for professionals working across the children’s sector.

The partnership will include the introduction of a new portal which will offer a tailored selection of courses upskilling practitioners working in the sector. Courses will range in length from one hour of study up to 24 hours and will cover a wide range of topics including early learning, psychology and development, mental health and wellbeing, as well as more general courses focused on leadership, sustainability and digital skills.

Children in Scotland’s workforce will also benefit from the new partnership, with access to The Open University (OU) in Scotland’s educational resources helping to grow staff skills in key areas.

Drawing on expertise, the two organisations will explore potential research and funding opportunities focused on improving the lives of children and young people, as well as creating events that will foster knowledge-sharing and networking across the sector.

Susan Stewart, Director of The Open University in Scotland, said:

"At The Open University in Scotland, we aim to transform lives and communities through the power of learning and have done so successfully for more than 50 years. Children are our society’s future, and I am absolutely delighted for us to be partnering with Children in Scotland - both to support them in developing their staff who are working with young people and communities, and also for our organisations to collaborate on exciting and impactful new research.

“The OU in Scotland has a proven track record of establishing strong partnerships with other organisations and I am certain this collaboration will open a world of possibilities improving the lives of children and our society’s future.”

Simon Massey, Head of Engagement & Learning said:

“Supporting and developing the children’s workforce is a priority area for Children in Scotland and we are thrilled to be working with The Open University in Scotland to create accessible training opportunities for both our members and the wider children’s network.

“The new portal will offer a fantastic range of courses delivered by the OU which we hope will complement the learning opportunities we offer. With many courses offered for free and various learning pathways available, we hope the portal will be beneficial to as many people as possible.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 21 November 2023 at the OU in Scotland office in Edinburgh.

The Open University in Scotland

Providing supported distance learning to more than 21,000 students in Scotland

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Listen, learn and act: New magazine calls for "young voices" to shape the children's sector

The autumn issue of 'Insight', the biannual member magazine from Children in Scotland, is available now, bringing together expert commentary, interviews and features on topics from across the sector.

Inspired by contributors, the theme of the fifth edition of 'Insight' is “young voices”, with articles in the 40-page issue exploring the importance of listening to young Scots to improve their lives and uphold rights – a value that’s at the heart of Children in Scotland’s work.

In a four-page interview, for example, best-selling author, Mikaela Loach, shares her journey from teen activist to fighting for climate justice on a world stage, and she also discusses why young people are vital to the environmental movement in a quick-fire Q&A with Changing our World (click here for more).

The 25-year-old explained: “When it comes to climate crisis, young voices in particular are so important. We are one of the most impacted groups in this world, and we are going to be impacted disproportionately by this crisis. It’s so important that we do speak out, and realise that so many of the liberties and freedoms that we have now are because other people chose to be brave.”

Further reading within the issue:

  • An interview with Kinny Gardner, Artistic Director of Krazy Kat Theatre, a professional children’s theatre company committed to improving access to arts activities for deaf and disabled children through magical, visual-led productions that go far beyond the spoken word
  • Glasgow Women’s Aid CEO, Angela Devine, celebrates 50 years of the organisation’s hard work supporting women, while examining the issues facing girls and young women today
  • Ali Miller, from Shared Lives Plus, explores an innovative project, which enables parents with additional support needs to care for their child at home
  • Amy Hutton, Director of Services at Cyrenians, discusses Scotland’s housing crisis
  • Children in Scotland’s Head of Policy, Projects and Participation at Children, David Mackay, shares how children and young people are speaking out on health-harming products
  • Marie Harrison, Senior Policy Officer at My Rights, My Say, explains how the service is putting young people’s voices at the heart of its vital work.

With the theme of listening to children and young people’s voices, it was also particularly special to continue our collaboration with students at Edinburgh College of Art. Using their creativity to explore the issues and ideas raised in three articles, as well as the edition’s front cover, a group of fourth year illustration undergraduates showcase not only extraordinary talent, but impressive understanding and sensitivity.

Alice Hinds, Editor of 'Insight' said: "While putting together this new edition, I learned so much about the issues facing children and young people in Scotland today, and how we can listen to their voices to, not only make their lives better, but improve vital services.

"From understanding AI to making theatre more accessible, tackling Scotland's housing crisis to play as a tool in healthcare, our contributors cover a wide range of topics, which I hope inform and inspire our readers."

Providing a space to share knowledge and best practice, print and digital editions of Insight are published twice a year, with all Children in Scotland members receiving a free copy.

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Non-members can subscribe to Insight for just £10 per year, gaining access to two issues.

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Insight Issue 5

Find out what's inside the latest issue. Illustration by Ally McKay

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The Learning Guide: July-December 2023

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'I give a unique perspective, which enhances the accessibility of the organisation and the services it provides'

As Children in Scotland celebrates its 30th anniversary, Grant Douglas, IT Officer with Enquire shares some professional, and personal, highlights of his time at the organisation, and reflects on aims for the next five years.

How long have you worked with Children in Scotland/Enquire?

I am a Children in Scotland ‘adult’ having worked at Enquire since April 2004 – a total of 19 and a half years!

Have you got any personal or professional highlights from your time working with the organisation?

My funniest recollection is from Enquire’s first annual conference when I was asked, based on my own experience of both mainstream and segregated education settings, my top ten tips for inclusive education, and my colleagues and I thought it would be funny if I wore a wig to make me look like a DJ and played the Top of the Pops theme tune before I gave my tips. It certainly overcame any post-lunch ‘slump’!

The other highlight that always brings a smile to my face is my first day back to work after the Christmas and New Year break, when my colleagues had decorated my desk space to congratulate me on being awarded an MBE in the New Year’s honours list for inventing the S’up spoon (click here for more) – a spoon for shaky hands.

What is your proudest work-related moment?

At the start of the pandemic, when we all had to work from home, I was told that it wasn’t possible for staff to access the FileMaker databases that I created and which are crucial to operation of the Enquire additional support for learning helpline that advises parents, professionals and young people. I found a way to do it and that enabled the helpline to continue its vital work.

What personal learning or experiences have you brought to the role/the organisation that has enhanced how things are done?

As a person who has been disabled since birth, who has experienced both mainstream and segregated education, and worked for organisations that campaign for equality all my days, I feel that I can give a unique perspective, which enhances the accessibility of the organisation and the services it provides.

What are your professional aims for the next five years; what work is still to be done in the realm of ASL and related legislation?

Enquire has a vision statement of, ‘all children in Scotland are supported, included, and listened to throughout their education.’

Although great progress has been made in this area since I came into the organisation, I hope this becomes a reality in the next five years.

Grant Douglas is the IT Officer at Enquire, the national advice and information service for additional support for learning.
Click here to access the Enquire website

About the author

Grant Douglas is IT Officer at Enquire, the national advice and information service for additional support for learning

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Ambitious itinerary announced for ‘30 Hills in 7 Days’ CEO challenge

With just days to go until Children in Scotland's Chief Executive takes to the hills – aiming to climb 30 peaks in seven days – she has announced her ambitious itinerary for the challenge

Dr Judith Turbyne, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, Scotland’s national children’s sector network, is taking on the challenge to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, and the important work that it has done over the past three decades to uphold children’s rights and support a workforce that is increasingly under pressure.

Judith will start her challenge in the hills around Dundee and Angus on Saturday 11 November and, through the week, climb the peaks of Fife, Stirling and the Trossachs, Aberdeenshire and the Lothians. She will finish her challenge on Friday 17 November as she descends Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.

Her full itinerary includes:

A table with three columns date area and hills and a list of 30 hills spanning seven days

Judith said: “As the challenge grows closer I am feeling a lot of excitement, and a touch of trepidation, but mostly overwhelming gratitude for all those who have supported me so far. We have raised just over £1,000 for Children in Scotland, but more importantly shed a light on the incredible work this organisation is doing, every day.

“The days are getting shorter and I am going to have to plan well to fit it all in. When the Scottish rain is beating down and my legs are getting sore, I will think of all the amazing young people we work with who are helping us to effect change, and our members across the children’s sector who are themselves working under significant challenges with passion and grit.

“Things are getting tougher for our members and the children and young people we and they are working with and for. We need to look at ways of building our resilience as an organisation to continue to support the sector. This is just a small contribution, but I am excited that I can do this for the organisation.”

On 7 June 2023, Children in Scotland celebrated its 30th anniversary. For three decades the organisation has been championing the voices of children and young people, ensuring they are at the heart of policy and decision making, and being a leading force for workforce development. Their membership brings together more than 430 organisations and individuals from schools, charities and nurseries to NHS Boards, local authorities and community interest groups.

Throughout her challenge, Judith will be fundraising for Children in Scotland. To support Judith in her 30 Hills challenge, click here to visit her fundraising page: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/30-hills-challenge-celebrating-30-years-of-children-in-scotland.

Follow her challenge online using the hashtag #30Hills.

Media Contact

Julie ThomsonCommunications & Marketing Managerjthomson@childreninscotland.org.uk

Celebrating our successes at 30

JudithTurbyne is Chief Executive of Children in Scotland

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