New website launched to help parents navigate child maintenance
A new website, co-developed with parents with lived experience of both paying and receiving child maintenance, has launched to help families understand and be able to navigate the child maintenance system better. The website was developed by a working group made up of parents with lived experience, One Parent Families Scotland, Fife Gingerbread, Citizens Advice Scotland, Scottish Women’s […]
New Overnight Social Media Curfew Announced
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 across the UK will be subject to a new overnight social media curfew under government plans aimed at promoting healthier online habits. The proposed measures would see popular platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, automatically restricting access between midnight and 6am for older teenagers. However, users would have the option […]
Nearly 30,000 more students benefit from free music tuition
The number of students learning an instrument has increased by almost 30,000 since the abolition of fees for music lessons in schools. A new report shows that annual investment of up to £12 million from the Scottish Government to fund free instrumental music tuition has seen participants increase to more than 70,000 since 2021. Those […]
Rising numbers of adults reaching out to NSPCC Helpline about children being left home alone
Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from adults concerned about a child being left at home alone or unsupervised have risen by 11%, the charity reports as it offers parents advice with the summer holidays approaching. The service, which provides help and advice for adults with concerns about the wellbeing of a child, handled 7,452 contacts […]
Childcare Support Fund: how to apply
The Childcare Support Fund is a £15 million, single-year grant for 2026 to 2027 designed to support low-income families who are living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty by helping them manage the cost of childcare and reduce financial pressures at key times. The Fund contributes to the drivers of child poverty reduction set out in […]
Free Real Life Videos For Teachers To Show Their Students How Kids Live In Other Parts Of The World
In today’s global society, helping students understand different cultures and perspectives is more important than ever. Educational projects like Kids in Other Countries are making this possible by sharing authentic stories of children living around the world. Through engaging videos and real-life storytelling, KIOC introduces students to the everyday experiences of children in different countries. […]
Schools encouraged to celebrate the International Day of Play on 11 June with ‘Play 31 Challenge’
Play organisations across the UK and Ireland are calling on all schools to join the Play 31 Challenge on 11 June, marking the International Day of Play and celebrating every child’s right to play. The United Nations has designated 11 June as the International Day of Play, recognising the power of play at the heart […]
Change lives – in and beyond the classroom
Every day, teachers create calm, nurturing spaces where children feel safe and encouraged to thrive. The care you bring to the classroom can make a lasting difference — and for some children, that same support is needed beyond the school day. At Aberlour Children’s Charity, foster carers help children and young people who can’t live […]
Applications open for Best Start Grant School Age Payment
Families across Scotland can now apply for over £330 to help with the costs of preparing for primary school, as applications for Best Start Grant School Age Payment open now (1 June 2026). The payment, unique to Scotland, is available to eligible families with children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022. It […]
Over 321,000 Children getting Vital Support
Across Scotland, 321,885 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics. Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household. Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative […]
Supporting families with cost of living ‘key focus’ of Scottish Government.
Supporting families with the cost of living and eradicating child poverty will be a key focus of the Scottish Government, First Minister John Swinney has said. Ahead of a visit to meet parents and children at a Bookbug session in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, the First Minister said tackling the cost of living, ensuring people get support before reaching a crisis, and helping children and parents in the early years will […]
Families to Benefit from Cheaper Attractions and Kids’ Food Under Summer VAT Reduction
Families could see the cost of summer days out reduced after the chancellor announced a temporary cut in VAT on a range of attractions and activities. Rachel Reeves confirmed that VAT will be lowered from 20% to 5% during the school summer holidays, beginning when Scottish schools break up at the end of June and […]