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A Scotland for all: Supporting families facing multiple disadvantage

...use frequently experience a myriad of complex challenges including poor mental health, poor housing conditions, food insecurity, health inequalities and social isolation often exacerbated by poverty, is unacceptable. We work to challenge...


No child should be left behind

...finding it difficult to meet their children’s basic needs. The rising cost of food, energy, housing, and childcare has placed an unbearable strain on household budgets, forcing families to make heartbreaking choices between essentials like...


Young people call on the new government to put youth voices at heart of policy-making, as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award shares new research

...the political and personal issues that matter most to young people aged 14 to 24, and found that housing, the NHS, cost of living and mental health ranked highest among respondents. However, young people also felt these areas are considered least...


The rights of children and families must be at the heart of housing policy

... The rights of children and families must be at the heart of housing policy 2 March 2020 Children in Scotland has published its consultation response to the Scottish Government’s draft vision for our homes and communities in 2040....


The importance of youth participation for supporting families affected by imprisonment

...find it challenging to navigate life when faced with the added pressures of financial concerns and housing instability. This is only compounded by the stigma associated with a family member’s imprisonment, making it difficult to talk about their...


Increasing access to hobbies for children and young people

Embedding the principles of The Promise

...the links between various policy areas including poverty, mental health, employability, housing, and family support. We also need high quality and accessible services for children, young people and families, with statutory partners and...


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

...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...


"Care experienced young people need love, relationships and community. They deserve to belong"

...power and control to young people with care experience The importance of high-quality, suitable housing. Context The Life Changes Trust (LCT) was created in 2013 with a £50 million, 10-year endowment fund from the National Lottery Community...

belonging care care experience home home and belonging homelessness housing Participation rights

‘Transfer of power’ vital in securing positive outcomes for care experienced young people, report finds

...experienced young people Media Release 12 October 2022 Supportive relationships, appropriate housing, and adults transferring decision-making power are key to securing good outcomes for care experienced young people, according to a report...

care care experienced home and belonging homelessness Participation rights

More urgent and immediate action needed to tackle worrying rates of child poverty

...elected councillors across Scotland to use local powers, including over economic development, housing and financial support, to maximise family income and reduce the costs parents face. The group has also reiterated their call for the bridging...

child poverty child poverty targets

Now is the Time – Challenge Poverty Week 2021

...of poverty. Of these, 68% live in households where at least one person works. The rising costs of housing, transport and childcare coupled with inadequate incomes are sweeping families into poverty and trapping them there. But it doesn’t have to...


Our reaction to the Programme for Government: family wellbeing fund welcomed but disappointment at lack of progress on child payment level

...would urge the government to ensure that the needs of all people seeking asylum, such as adequate housing, mental health support, physical health and the vital opportunities to connect with others, are met. Childcare “Children in Scotland...

childcare Children's rights environment equality family support programme for government Wellbeing

“Health and wellbeing must be at the heart of the planning process”

...on bike ability, road safety, health and the environment Click to find out more housing 2040 We respond to the housing 2040 Consultation (Feb 2020) Click to read the response News: We need a rights-based...

Consultation response engagement health and wellbeing placemaking planning Policy

Responding to trauma means all of us working together

...aged 5-26 ranging from education, residential care, secure care, intensive fostering and community housing and support. We also have several social enterprises and a partnership with St Mirren Football Club that aims to provide employment and...


25 Calls response: Children living in poverty deserve better from a system that is failing them. But we all have a role to play in helping them navigate their journey to adulthood

...us are facing multiple challenges: poverty, poor mental health, disengagement from education, poor housing or trauma. These issues are of course, inextricably linked. If you’re choosing between heating or eating, it’s incredibly hard to learn...


25 Calls response: Today’s children don’t want eternal economic growth. It’s time to teach and live ‘de-consumerism’

...to combat climate change, such as biomass and inter-seasonal heat store, should be built into new housing developments and retrofitted into existing social housing as a type of district heating. Municipal energy supply companies could also be set...


25 Calls response: Our economy is broken but our people aren’t. A new rights-based approach would mean a better future for children

...of life’s fundamentals (or rights), like safe green spaces for their children, warm and stable housing, decent jobs that recognise family life, and flexible and affordable childcare alongside local leisure facilities for children to enjoy. We...


Young people with care experience at the heart of new project

...when they move into their own homes. Through this initiative, service providers, including housing associations, charities and local authorities, have been given an opportunity to work alongside young people so that they can design fresh...


2019-20 Programme for Government: our verdict

...experienced children and young people between the ages of 18-26, and advancements of Discretionary housing Payments for this group. “We also welcome the measures to bring forward a new statutory provision in the Children’s Bill (click to read)...


Before and beyond

...need to focus on ensuring families can earn enough to live free of poverty and reduce costs like housing and childcare. Scotland can now take action to protect families against poverty through new social security powers. We welcome the Scottish...


25 Calls response – The increasingly apparent gaps in mental health support and provision for young people highlights the chasm in mental health support for all

...of becoming homeless, Cyrenians’ organisational learning shows that – like mental health – housing and homelessness are affected by a number of factors: family and peer support, access to training, education, employment, mediation, social...


25 Calls response: If we want to tackle food insecurity, we need to get serious about family support in our communities

...college. The staff assisted in cases of domestic violence, liaising with Police, Social Work, housing and Fire Services. We were able to support a family enduring racially motivated abuse and assault, bringing confidence and security to those...


25 Calls response: Fixing urgent problems in the short term matters. But it isn’t enough for future generations

...on participation in the community – in sporting, cultural and other activities, on accessible housing which enables independent living, on inclusion in mainstream education throughout childhood, and on supporting people into work wherever...


Landmark participation project gives children and young people a voice at national level

...possible opportunities that they will have in the future. For example owning a home (affordable housing), further education and employment." (Sally) It was this theme of their futures being impacted by decisions adults are making now that led...


20,000+ club places available to children and families this summer as part of award-winning food project

...many reasons to get involved in our work Find out more Our projects From housing to heritage, we're working to give young people a voice and improve lives Find out...

Education Food food poverty Health

Child Poverty Delivery Plan welcome, but Scottish Government must be 'more proactive'

...the End Child Poverty Coalition. This includes action in areas such as employment, welfare advice, housing and childcare that are necessary to tackle the cross-cutting nature of child poverty. We are pleased to see commitment to action across these...


Young people’s health worsened by poor quality housing

.../ Millions of young people’s physical and mental health worsened by poor quality housing, new research finds Posted 20.04.23 by Alice Hinds Children housing Poverty young people One in six young...

Children housing Poverty young people

Insight – Issue 5

...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, David Mackay, shares how children and young people are speaking...


Insight - Issue 3

...of a later school starting age in Scotland Alison Watson explains why investing in long-term housing security will help thousands of children and families Amy Woodhouse reflects on decades of mental health policies Independent Living...


Gary Leadbetter

...Student Action for Refugees Society whilst studying LLB Scots Law, advising on debt, welfare, housing and other social issues and leading Scotland-wide welfare reform mitigation projects whilst also supporting Scotland-wide debt support...

leadbetter

New report explores poverty and the care system

...funding to bridge gaps in benefit payments when a child returns home, and additional support with housing benefit and rent arrears. Satwat Rehman, OPFS Chief Executive said: “The overarching ambition of The Scottish Government in its...

care system Children Poverty research

Tackling Scotland’s health inequalities

...community A healthy community derives from a range of factors: stable jobs, good pay, quality housing and education. Poor health is almost inevitable when some or all of these factors are absent. Scotland's wide and sustained health...

Attainment child health child poverty Health health and wellbeing health inequalities Poverty public health

Youth homelessness project comes to Scotland

...including how to deal with debt, budgeting, banking and earning. This is combined with practical housing information such as paying deposits, inventory checks and tenancy agreements. Through this targeted and tailored support, the project aims...

health and wellbeing homelessness young people

New resource to help professionals tackle inequalities

...public services including police, fire and rescue services, and health, social care, education, housing across all sectors, individuals can select sections most relevant to their learning needs and source information about how to integrate...

Health Inequality public health

Rewind welfare reform says new report

...people out of poverty and tackle its causes. Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, housing and Local Government, said: “Tackling child poverty is our national mission and we are helping to lift thousands of children out of...

Benefits child poverty Families Scottish Government universal credit Welfare

First anniversary for the Scottish Child Payment

...for the doubled payment by the year end. Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, housing and Local Government, said: "From April, our Scottish Child Payment will double to £20 a week - four times the amount anti-poverty...

child poverty Scottish Child Payment Scottish Government

Report warns child poverty targets could be missed

...recommendations Increasing income from work and social security and reducing housing costs are acknowledged as the primary levers for reducing child poverty. Recommendations to the Scottish Government include: ...

child poverty Inequality Poverty

It’s time to start listening to LGBT young people

...young people about their experiences and views on issues like education, health services, safety, housing, representation, the media, and the impacts of Covid, we can help to paint a picture of the real and varied lives of LGBT young people in...

equality LGBT

LIFT

...poverty. This is as a result of many families living in private lets due to the lack of council housing, which makes finding a job to cover the extremely high rent nearly impossible. We have a high number of single parents who do not have a...


A bold new world

...affecting children and young people including children’s rights, poverty and inequality and housing and food insecurity.  The climate crisis has, at times, felt outside our sphere of knowledge and expertise. But new partnerships,...


Our offer to you during a critical time

...across Scotland together online to discuss topics as diverse as Brexit, SQA exam results, cycling, housing, COVID-19, access to museums and young girls' mental health. Communications During the pandemic it’s more important than ever that we...


Robert Doyle

...Beyond4Walls – a participatory youth research project exploring young people’s experiences of housing. Robert’s background is in community development and he was involved in establishing community food projects that later became part of...

doyyle

"It's social engineering and it's morally wrong"

...help mitigate and even lift a few children out of poverty, but better employment and lower cost housing are also essential. The outgoing Commission identified living costs as key for progress. If we can’t address those issues, that in itself...


What better way than a Bill to mark the UNCRC's birthday?

...needed to address failures in respecting their rights to family life, healthcare, education, housing, and justice. Working with the Children’s Future Food Inquiry and the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty, young human rights defenders...


In conversation: Are ACEs overplayed?

...causes: poverty; insufficient family support; pressures that prevent work-life balance; poor housing; violence; cultural ideas about gender, race, class and children’s rights. We need society-level changes that place relationships at the...


Call 9: Ensure Scotland's next generation can lead active, healthy lives

...Healthy environments include those which are tobacco-free, which have sufficient affordable housing and green spaces, where there is easy access to affordable healthy food and reduced availability of alcohol, and which foster...


Call 15: Top up child benefit by £5 per week to loosen the grip of child poverty

...material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing...' 25 Calls Return to the main 25 Calls page to find out what change others are calling for Visit the...


Call 21: Invest in relationship-based whole-family support

...try to budget. The impact of growing up in poverty on families is devastating. Living in poor housing and feeling insecure about money is hardly conducive to good parenting. Asking parents to take part in parenting programmes when they...


Single parents deserve support, not sanctions

...for Universal Credit Scottish Choices to give better access to twice-monthly payments and the housing element being paid directly to landlords. We would also request that entitlements are clear and single parents’ needs are recognised in UC...



No results found.


A Scotland for all: Supporting families facing multiple disadvantage

...use frequently experience a myriad of complex challenges including poor mental health, poor housing conditions, food insecurity, health inequalities and social isolation often exacerbated by poverty, is unacceptable. We work to challenge...


No child should be left behind

...finding it difficult to meet their children’s basic needs. The rising cost of food, energy, housing, and childcare has placed an unbearable strain on household budgets, forcing families to make heartbreaking choices between essentials like...


Young people call on the new government to put youth voices at heart of policy-making, as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award shares new research

...the political and personal issues that matter most to young people aged 14 to 24, and found that housing, the NHS, cost of living and mental health ranked highest among respondents. However, young people also felt these areas are considered least...


The rights of children and families must be at the heart of housing policy

... The rights of children and families must be at the heart of housing policy 2 March 2020 Children in Scotland has published its consultation response to the Scottish Government’s draft vision for our homes and communities in 2040....


The importance of youth participation for supporting families affected by imprisonment

...find it challenging to navigate life when faced with the added pressures of financial concerns and housing instability. This is only compounded by the stigma associated with a family member’s imprisonment, making it difficult to talk about their...


Increasing access to hobbies for children and young people

Embedding the principles of The Promise

...the links between various policy areas including poverty, mental health, employability, housing, and family support. We also need high quality and accessible services for children, young people and families, with statutory partners and...


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

...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...


"Care experienced young people need love, relationships and community. They deserve to belong"

...power and control to young people with care experience The importance of high-quality, suitable housing. Context The Life Changes Trust (LCT) was created in 2013 with a £50 million, 10-year endowment fund from the National Lottery Community...

belonging care care experience home home and belonging homelessness housing Participation rights

‘Transfer of power’ vital in securing positive outcomes for care experienced young people, report finds

...experienced young people Media Release 12 October 2022 Supportive relationships, appropriate housing, and adults transferring decision-making power are key to securing good outcomes for care experienced young people, according to a report...

care care experienced home and belonging homelessness Participation rights

More urgent and immediate action needed to tackle worrying rates of child poverty

...elected councillors across Scotland to use local powers, including over economic development, housing and financial support, to maximise family income and reduce the costs parents face. The group has also reiterated their call for the bridging...

child poverty child poverty targets

Now is the Time – Challenge Poverty Week 2021

...of poverty. Of these, 68% live in households where at least one person works. The rising costs of housing, transport and childcare coupled with inadequate incomes are sweeping families into poverty and trapping them there. But it doesn’t have to...


Our reaction to the Programme for Government: family wellbeing fund welcomed but disappointment at lack of progress on child payment level

...would urge the government to ensure that the needs of all people seeking asylum, such as adequate housing, mental health support, physical health and the vital opportunities to connect with others, are met. Childcare “Children in Scotland...

childcare Children's rights environment equality family support programme for government Wellbeing

“Health and wellbeing must be at the heart of the planning process”

...on bike ability, road safety, health and the environment Click to find out more housing 2040 We respond to the housing 2040 Consultation (Feb 2020) Click to read the response News: We need a rights-based...

Consultation response engagement health and wellbeing placemaking planning Policy

Responding to trauma means all of us working together

...aged 5-26 ranging from education, residential care, secure care, intensive fostering and community housing and support. We also have several social enterprises and a partnership with St Mirren Football Club that aims to provide employment and...


25 Calls response: Children living in poverty deserve better from a system that is failing them. But we all have a role to play in helping them navigate their journey to adulthood

...us are facing multiple challenges: poverty, poor mental health, disengagement from education, poor housing or trauma. These issues are of course, inextricably linked. If you’re choosing between heating or eating, it’s incredibly hard to learn...


25 Calls response: Today’s children don’t want eternal economic growth. It’s time to teach and live ‘de-consumerism’

...to combat climate change, such as biomass and inter-seasonal heat store, should be built into new housing developments and retrofitted into existing social housing as a type of district heating. Municipal energy supply companies could also be set...


25 Calls response: Our economy is broken but our people aren’t. A new rights-based approach would mean a better future for children

...of life’s fundamentals (or rights), like safe green spaces for their children, warm and stable housing, decent jobs that recognise family life, and flexible and affordable childcare alongside local leisure facilities for children to enjoy. We...


Young people with care experience at the heart of new project

...when they move into their own homes. Through this initiative, service providers, including housing associations, charities and local authorities, have been given an opportunity to work alongside young people so that they can design fresh...


2019-20 Programme for Government: our verdict

...experienced children and young people between the ages of 18-26, and advancements of Discretionary housing Payments for this group. “We also welcome the measures to bring forward a new statutory provision in the Children’s Bill (click to read)...


Before and beyond

...need to focus on ensuring families can earn enough to live free of poverty and reduce costs like housing and childcare. Scotland can now take action to protect families against poverty through new social security powers. We welcome the Scottish...


25 Calls response – The increasingly apparent gaps in mental health support and provision for young people highlights the chasm in mental health support for all

...of becoming homeless, Cyrenians’ organisational learning shows that – like mental health – housing and homelessness are affected by a number of factors: family and peer support, access to training, education, employment, mediation, social...


25 Calls response: If we want to tackle food insecurity, we need to get serious about family support in our communities

...college. The staff assisted in cases of domestic violence, liaising with Police, Social Work, housing and Fire Services. We were able to support a family enduring racially motivated abuse and assault, bringing confidence and security to those...


25 Calls response: Fixing urgent problems in the short term matters. But it isn’t enough for future generations

...on participation in the community – in sporting, cultural and other activities, on accessible housing which enables independent living, on inclusion in mainstream education throughout childhood, and on supporting people into work wherever...


Landmark participation project gives children and young people a voice at national level

...possible opportunities that they will have in the future. For example owning a home (affordable housing), further education and employment." (Sally) It was this theme of their futures being impacted by decisions adults are making now that led...


20,000+ club places available to children and families this summer as part of award-winning food project

...many reasons to get involved in our work Find out more Our projects From housing to heritage, we're working to give young people a voice and improve lives Find out...

Education Food food poverty Health

Child Poverty Delivery Plan welcome, but Scottish Government must be 'more proactive'

...the End Child Poverty Coalition. This includes action in areas such as employment, welfare advice, housing and childcare that are necessary to tackle the cross-cutting nature of child poverty. We are pleased to see commitment to action across these...



No results found.


No results found.


Robert Doyle

...Beyond4Walls – a participatory youth research project exploring young people’s experiences of housing. Robert’s background is in community development and he was involved in establishing community food projects that later became part of...

doyyle


LIFT

...poverty. This is as a result of many families living in private lets due to the lack of council housing, which makes finding a job to cover the extremely high rent nearly impossible. We have a high number of single parents who do not have a...


Our offer to you during a critical time

...across Scotland together online to discuss topics as diverse as Brexit, SQA exam results, cycling, housing, COVID-19, access to museums and young girls' mental health. Communications During the pandemic it’s more important than ever that we...



No results found.


No results found.


Young people’s health worsened by poor quality housing
post

.../ Millions of young people’s physical and mental health worsened by poor quality housing, new research finds Posted 20.04.23 by Alice Hinds Children housing Poverty young people One in six young...

Children housing Poverty young people

Insight – Issue 5
post

...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, David Mackay, shares how children and young people are speaking...


Insight - Issue 3
post

...of a later school starting age in Scotland Alison Watson explains why investing in long-term housing security will help thousands of children and families Amy Woodhouse reflects on decades of mental health policies Independent Living...


Gary Leadbetter
post

...Student Action for Refugees Society whilst studying LLB Scots Law, advising on debt, welfare, housing and other social issues and leading Scotland-wide welfare reform mitigation projects whilst also supporting Scotland-wide debt support...

leadbetter

New report explores poverty and the care system
post

...funding to bridge gaps in benefit payments when a child returns home, and additional support with housing benefit and rent arrears. Satwat Rehman, OPFS Chief Executive said: “The overarching ambition of The Scottish Government in its...

care system Children Poverty research

Tackling Scotland’s health inequalities
post

...community A healthy community derives from a range of factors: stable jobs, good pay, quality housing and education. Poor health is almost inevitable when some or all of these factors are absent. Scotland's wide and sustained health...

Attainment child health child poverty Health health and wellbeing health inequalities Poverty public health

Youth homelessness project comes to Scotland
post

...including how to deal with debt, budgeting, banking and earning. This is combined with practical housing information such as paying deposits, inventory checks and tenancy agreements. Through this targeted and tailored support, the project aims...

health and wellbeing homelessness young people

New resource to help professionals tackle inequalities
post

...public services including police, fire and rescue services, and health, social care, education, housing across all sectors, individuals can select sections most relevant to their learning needs and source information about how to integrate...

Health Inequality public health

Rewind welfare reform says new report
post

...people out of poverty and tackle its causes. Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, housing and Local Government, said: “Tackling child poverty is our national mission and we are helping to lift thousands of children out of...

Benefits child poverty Families Scottish Government universal credit Welfare

First anniversary for the Scottish Child Payment
post

...for the doubled payment by the year end. Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, housing and Local Government, said: "From April, our Scottish Child Payment will double to £20 a week - four times the amount anti-poverty...

child poverty Scottish Child Payment Scottish Government

Report warns child poverty targets could be missed
post

...recommendations Increasing income from work and social security and reducing housing costs are acknowledged as the primary levers for reducing child poverty. Recommendations to the Scottish Government include: ...

child poverty Inequality Poverty

It’s time to start listening to LGBT young people
post

...young people about their experiences and views on issues like education, health services, safety, housing, representation, the media, and the impacts of Covid, we can help to paint a picture of the real and varied lives of LGBT young people in...

equality LGBT

A bold new world
post

...affecting children and young people including children’s rights, poverty and inequality and housing and food insecurity.  The climate crisis has, at times, felt outside our sphere of knowledge and expertise. But new partnerships,...


"It's social engineering and it's morally wrong"
post

...help mitigate and even lift a few children out of poverty, but better employment and lower cost housing are also essential. The outgoing Commission identified living costs as key for progress. If we can’t address those issues, that in itself...


What better way than a Bill to mark the UNCRC's birthday?
post

...needed to address failures in respecting their rights to family life, healthcare, education, housing, and justice. Working with the Children’s Future Food Inquiry and the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty, young human rights defenders...


In conversation: Are ACEs overplayed?
post

...causes: poverty; insufficient family support; pressures that prevent work-life balance; poor housing; violence; cultural ideas about gender, race, class and children’s rights. We need society-level changes that place relationships at the...


Call 9: Ensure Scotland's next generation can lead active, healthy lives
post

...Healthy environments include those which are tobacco-free, which have sufficient affordable housing and green spaces, where there is easy access to affordable healthy food and reduced availability of alcohol, and which foster...


Call 15: Top up child benefit by £5 per week to loosen the grip of child poverty
post

...material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing...' 25 Calls Return to the main 25 Calls page to find out what change others are calling for Visit the...


Call 21: Invest in relationship-based whole-family support
post

...try to budget. The impact of growing up in poverty on families is devastating. Living in poor housing and feeling insecure about money is hardly conducive to good parenting. Asking parents to take part in parenting programmes when they...


Single parents deserve support, not sanctions
post

...for Universal Credit Scottish Choices to give better access to twice-monthly payments and the housing element being paid directly to landlords. We would also request that entitlements are clear and single parents’ needs are recognised in UC...