Improving services for victims and witnesses. Transformational change is to be brought about in the way children are treated by the justice system. The Scottish Government will work to ensure that all eligible children who are victims or witnesses to abuse or violence will have access to a ‘Bairns’ Hoose’Read More →
Healthy children aged 12 to 15 should be offered one dose of a Covid vaccine, the UK’s chief medical officers say. In a letter to ministers the four CMOs said it would help reduce disruption to education. The move means around three million children across the UK could be eligibleRead More →
Reducing the number of children in care. Fewer children and young people should end up in care, thanks to a £500 million fund to help support families to stay together. Announced as part of the latest Programme for Government, the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund will help families to overcome challengesRead More →
Free vaccine extended to secondary school pupils Primary and secondary school pupils will start receiving their flu vaccine today (Monday 6 September) as Scotland’s biggest flu immunisation programme gets underway. Over four million people will be offered the free flu vaccine this year with secondary school pupils eligible for theRead More →
New Child poverty benefit pays out £17.6 million to families in need More than 108,000 children have benefited from the Scottish Government’s new Scottish Child Payment according to the latest official statistics. The figures highlight how many families and children received the payment from introduction in February to 30 JuneRead More →
A new report from Child Poverty Action Group and Covid Realities shows that 36% (about 1 million) of all school-aged children in poverty in the UK are not entitled to a free meal at school. The analysis shows that despite a rise in the number of children claiming FSMs betweenRead More →
Anti-racism support for staff. A new package of support materials for teachers and staff will embed anti-racism and race equality into all aspects of school life. Education Scotland’s resource will ensure children and young people see language, content and imagery that reflects the diversity of culture, identities, and experiences, includingRead More →
Young people aged under 26 are now eligible for free NHS dental treatment. The change comes as a further £7.5 million has been given to support the dental sector to recover and build back to pre-pandemic capacity. Free treatment for people aged under 26 will take effect immediately and thereRead More →
Play parks across Scotland will be modernised and restored through £5 million of funding, following an agreement between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla). Each local authority will receive a share of the funding to improve the standard of existing play parks, enhancing play opportunitiesRead More →
Almost half (47%) of those on Universal Credit – equivalent to nearly 3 million claimants – say they don’t think they’ll be able to live on a household budget that’s £20 per week lower, according to new polling published by Save the Children. In October, the government is planning toRead More →