The Yard expands coverage to Glasgow

1 Jul 2025

The Yard has expanded its service, currently covering Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, and Dundee, to include Glasgow, having opened its doors for families on Saturday 28 June.

The Glasgow service will operate out of a newly upgraded centre which includes a 5,000-square-metre outdoor play space, with plans for further enhancements to the garden and adventure play areas already in motion.

Sessions will take place in Glasgow throughout the summer holidays, with sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and families can access all services provided by The Yard for £8 per month, with a membership assistance programme available.

The Yard provides an award-winning service to children and young people with disabilities and additional needs and has supported more than 3,000 children and their families since its inception in 1986. The service consists of creative play environments and wraparound family support, allowing children and young people to flourish, and parents and carers to build community.

Sessions are run by The Yard’s trained and experienced playworkers and are designed to support each child’s individual needs and strengths, and are open to all children and young people aged 0-18 with disabilities and additional support needs with no formal diagnosis necessary.

Celine Sinclair, CEO of The Yard said, “Our doors are open to any child or young person who would benefit from an inclusive, safe place to play, express themselves and grow in confidence. We’re equally here for their families, offering connection, friendship and a shared understanding.

“Our work with schools also means pupils who need time away from the classroom can benefit from an environment that supports social skills, builds self-esteem, and sparks joy. We know from teachers how transformative that experience can be. Ultimately, it’s about giving children the chance to laugh, explore, and just be themselves, with no judgement. They deserve the same fun, freedom, and happiness as any other child.”

For more information on The Yard’s new Glasgow service, visit their website.

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Education Reform Bill Passed by Scottish Parliament

26 Jun 2025

The Education (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament last night. After receiving Royal Assent, the Bill will become an Act, and its legislation will be implemented.

The Bill was first introduced on 4 June 2024 and was passed late last night by 69 votes to 47.

The Bill will dissolve the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the national body previously tasked with overseeing qualifications in Scotland, which will be replaced by Qualifications Scotland. Qualifications Scotland will then be responsible for developing, regulating, and awarding any non-university level qualifications.

The Bill will also create the office of Chief Inspector of Education, a role with enhanced independence and whose responsibilities will include ensuring schools and education authorities are making necessary improvements, and publishing annual reports on the performance of the Scottish education system.

The decision to reform the education system came in part from recommendations from a report by Professor Ken Muir which called for a ‘renewed vision’ of education in Scotland.

Ahead of the Bill being passed, Children in Scotland released a statement saying:

“As the Scottish Parliament debates Stage 3 of the Education (Scotland) Bill, we remain committed to ensuring the voices of children and young people are not just heard, but meaningfully embedded, in the future of Scottish education.

“At Stage 1 we highlighted a range of concerns with the proposals in particular around a lack of ambition and a lack of clarity on the mechanisms for the participation of children and young people to engage with and participate in the new qualifications body and inspectorate.

“If the Bill becomes law, we will work closely with Scottish Government and the new education bodes to ensure there are meaningful opportunities for children and young people.

“We have heard consistently from Changing our World, the Inclusion Ambassadors and many other project groups about the need for change in how their education is delivered.

“With this in mind, we are still concerned that the Education (Scotland) Bill is not ambitious enough in how it looks to drive change in education in Scotland. If the Bill comes into law, we will continue to advocate for and with children and young people for an education system which supports their rights and needs.”

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New AI teaching resources released

24 Jun 2025

Children’s Parliament, the Scottish AI Alliance, and the Alan Turing Institute have released a free AI teaching pack designed to support primary school teachers to introduce the concept of AI to their pupils, centring around AI’s impact on children’s lives and their rights.

The teaching pack was developed following work done on the “Exploring Children’s Rights and AI” project, and was designed in collaboration with pupils and teachers across Scotland after 79% of teachers surveyed said they had received no guidance on teaching AI.

The pack is split into six lessons, complete with lesson plans and slides, covering topics relevant to pupils' own experiences including an introduction to AI, how AI uses data, and the role of AI in education. The lessons are intended to not only explain the purpose of AI, but also its limitations, including potential bias and incorrect information, and its environment impact, such as AI’s carbon emissions and the alarming levels of water consumption.

The teaching pack also includes a guide for teachers intended to be a foundational introduction to the topic, covering areas such as generative AI vs Large Language Models, the difficulties in defining AI, and AI’s environment impact.

Regarding the importance of the pack, a member of Children’s Parliament said: “AI will be in all our lives, so we need to know what it means and how it works before we grow up.”

To learn more about AI education resources, visit the Scottish AI Alliance website.

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Scottish Government expands free school meals programme

24 Jun 2025

The Scottish Government announced on Monday it is expanding its Free School Meals programme to cover an additional 6000 high school pupils in a trial project beginning in August.

The expansion, funded by an investment of £3 million, sees free school meals offered to high school pupils for the first time and covers pupils in S1-S3 who are eligible for the Scottish Child Payment. This will bring the total number of pupils receiving free school meals in Scotland to over 360,000.

The intention to expand to free school meals was included in the Programme for Government released in May of this year, alongside plans to further fund breakfast clubs throughout the country, and to effectively scrap the two-child benefit cap.

This is currently a trial phase, however, and will not yet be implemented throughout the country, limited to only eight local authority areas: Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire.

First Minister John Swinney announced the expansion of the project while visiting Springburn Academy in Glasgow and said of the programme: “The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty.

“We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil’s learning and achievement in school.”

Read the Scottish Government's announcement here.

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Scottish Book Trust: Summer workshop applications now open

24 Jun 2025

The Scottish Book Trust has opened applications for its Sensory Stories Summer Roadshow taking place 14-17 July.

The Roadshow features four storytellers touring Scotland and delivering free bespoke workshops and storytelling sessions in a variety of settings, including schools, community groups, nurseries, and other groups supporting children with additional support needs.

Sensory storytelling is intended to engage with children with additional support needs through sensory storytelling, including music, props use, and movement, and to empower them to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

The workshops will be delivered by four storytellers with extensive experience in sensory storytelling: Dara Macaleece, Carol Scorer, Marion Kenny, and Betty Skelton. Each will deliver a unique workshop based on their experience and expertise, as well as the needs of each successful applicant.

The deadline to apply is Friday 27 June, and all applications will be assessed by a selection panel prior to selection.

For more information, visit the Scottish Book Trust website.

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Kibble's SAFE Project expands to cover 22 council areas

17 Jun 2025

Kibble has announced that their free support service for children and young people affected by crime now covers 22 local authority areas.

The SAFE Project provides trauma-informed, therapeutic, and advocacy support to young people and their families affected by crime, whether as victims, witnesses, or those impacted by violence and abuse in the home.

The service also provides advice and support to organisations who work with children and young people impacted by crime but may not have expertise in trauma, mental health, and intervention, including educators and social workers, in order to promote system change and collaboration between organisations.

An evaluation report of the service found that over 68% of referrals received direct therapeutic intervention; young people who received advocacy support reported an improved experience of the criminal justice process; and 88% of young people have reported that the service has helped them work towards their goals.

The SAFE Project was funded by the Scottish Government Victim Centred Approach fund and has provided support for over 400 children and young people and their families since its origin in 2021. The service is currently funded through 2025/2026 with plans to continue beyond this.

Dan Johnson, Executive Director and Forensic Psychologist at Kibble said:

“The trauma caused by crime in childhood can affect every part of a young person’s life, from relationships and learning to their long-term mental health. The SAFE Project is designed to wrap around the whole family, offering therapy, advocacy and practical support when it’s needed most.

“By equipping those on the frontline with psychological insight and practical advice, we’re building a more joined-up, trauma-informed system that can respond more effectively and compassionately to the needs of young victims and witnesses.”

To learn more about Kibble’s SAFE Project, visit their website here.

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Whizz Kidz announce new education report

17 Jun 2025

Whizz Kids, a leading charity for young wheelchair users, has announced the launch of Making the Grade, a new education report developed by the charity’s Youth Board.

The report, launched on Thursday 6 June, was designed to help schools become inclusive environments for wheelchair users by outlining the findings of original research undertaken by the Youth Board through evidence-gathering and lived experience. The report also presents recommendations based on these findings which focus on Accessibility, Best Practice, and Change.

Among the top recommendations are:

mandatory annual physical accessibility audits in all UK schools
improved teacher training on inclusion
better support for wheelchair users during work experience placements.

The report was launched at an event held at Portcullis House in Westminster and was attended by education professionals, disability advocates, and MPs from across various parties.

Along with the report, the Youth Board stated:

“We believe inclusive education isn’t just a moral obligation — it’s a social and economic imperative.

“Better access now means more disabled young people progressing into higher education, employment, and active citizenship. We can help make that happen.”

Chief Executive of Whizz Kids Sarah Pugh said:

“Every young person has the right to a fair and equal education.

“We are incredibly proud of our Youth Board for leading this important work and demonstrating that young people’s voices can drive real change.”

For more information, visit the Whizz Kidz website here.

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Children in Scotland celebrates Carers Week

10 Jun 2025

This week we are supporting Carers Week, an annual campaign to highlight the challenges faced by unpaid carers - including the impact of caring on health, relationships, and finances - and to celebrate everything that carers contribute to our communities and families.

This year’s theme is ‘Caring About Equality’, and focuses on creating an equal society where carers are valued, recognised, and supported.

Each day has a specific focus, including work and employment on Wednesday, younger carers on Thursday, and mental health and wellbeing on Saturday.

There are many ways to get involved, with events occurring all across the country including barbeques, wellbeing & mindfulness sessions, and informative lectures. Organisations and individuals can also host their own events and post them to the Carers Week website activity board.

Carers Week also asks you to get involved by contacting your MSPs/MP and asking them to commit to supporting equality for carers, with specific calls for addressing the financial hardship many carers face, support for young carers and young adult carers, and improving identification and recognition of carers in all aspects of their lives.

Find more information about events and access useful resources by visiting the Carers Week website.

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Scottish libraries ‘endangered’ by years of cuts, new report finds

10 Jun 2025

A new report showing the crucial role public libraries play in Scottish life, has also warned of the toll decades of funding cuts and closures are taking on both the library service and the communities they serve.

Published by the Scottish Book Trust, The value and impact of Scotland’s public libraries report shares the findings from extensive independent research based on surveys of 2,000 library users and 300 staff from across Scotland.

Evidence from the research has highlighted the ‘profound, wide-ranging’ impact that public libraries offer their communities helping to remove inequity and bridge gaps for those facing increased poverty, digital inequality, the cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing consequences of the Covid pandemic.

The majority of survey respondents reported that their library not only inspired their love of reading and saved them money but also offered a safe ‘haven’ in their community.

Further evidence demonstrated how libraries are filling their communities’ ‘unmet needs’, tackling literacy issues among children and young people, providing further education and learning opportunities for users at all stages of life and helping improve digital poverty, with users referring to their libraries as a ‘lifeline for digital access’.

Describing libraries as ‘endangered’, the report stressed the impact of funding cuts and closures with 1 in 8 libraries closing to the public since 2008.

The report concludes with six recommendations including calling on the Scottish Government to publish a ‘clear legal definition’ of what an ‘adequate’ public library service should be and empowering local authorities with sufficient funding and resource to ‘uphold the standard’.

To read the The value and impact of Scotland’s public libraries report, please visit the Scottish Book Trust’s website

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£26m funding boost for Cashback for Communities

Sector News

27 May 2025

Projects supporting young people at risk of being drawn into criminal activities are to receive up to £26 million over the next three years.

The Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme uses money recovered from seized criminal assets to provide crucial support to young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in offending or antisocial behaviour.

Successful projects in the programme’s next stage (2026-2029) will deliver a range of activities and support for those aged 10 to 25, to help tackle some of the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity. Projects will also provide access to trusted adults who young people can confide in.

Since 2008 CashBack for Communities has invested £156 million and supported around 1.4 million young people across all 32 local authorities in Scotland.

Visiting a project based at Glasgow’s Easterhouse Sports Centre, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said:

“CashBack for Communities is inspiring. It turns the proceeds of crime into life-changing opportunities for the thousands of young people who take part in projects across Scotland every year.

“Over the course of the next three years of the programme, we are providing £26 million to organisations to deliver diversionary and support work with children and young people. By learning new skills and boosting their confidence, it helps young people in our communities who are at risk of becoming involved in crime be diverted from that path and realise their potential.

“Since its inception more than a million young people have received support to turn their lives around, with opportunities provided into employment, education or volunteering. 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.”

More information on the Cashback for Communities programme is available here. Applications for funding open on 12 June 2025.