Listen to an interesting talk by Carol Craig from the Centre for Confidence and Wellbeing on how materialism has undermined our wellbeing in scotland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQel6t784W0&list=PLD653EAC9A01E75E6&index=6&feature=plpp_video
Category Archives: CLD
National Training and Development Network for CLD
We would like to invite you to the next National Training and Development network event at the Stirling Management Centre on Thursday 3 May. Up to this point a small group has been involved in planning the purpose and focus for the network. The purpose of the network is to provide a platform whereby those who are responsible for developing CPD within the context of CLD in Scotland, can be actively involved in developing a sustainable learning culture. This will contribute to the CPD framework that is currently under development to support the CPD Strategy for the sector.
We would like to invite you to register your interest in this open network to:
- Ensure we have a consistent representation from across partnerships and the 3rd sector.
- To gain an overview of the resource we develop through the network to encourage a culture of learning and sharing experience and resources.
- To establish a picture of what members are looking for to support their role in developing CPD within their role in CLD
For more information contact Mandy Toogood, Development Officer Upskilling mandy.toogood@educationscotland.gov.uk or Neil McIntosh, Development Officer Youth Work neil.mcintosh@educationscotland.gov.uk
To register please click on the link also attached is a draft programme.
New Enquire Film Launched
In Enquire’s new film, young people share their views and feelings about how their school experience is affected by being in care, being a young mum, having Asperger’s or other learning difficulties, and the support that has helped them get the most out of their education.
Launched at the 2012 Enquire National Conference, the film looks at a variety of key themes, including: –
- How different staff and agencies work together to support pupils;
- How approaches to learning can be tailored to meet the needs of individuals;
- What young people think is important in terms of planning their learning and support.
You can watch ‘The Learners’ Perspective’ here.
Enquire is the Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning. They can help you understand children and young people’s rights, to get extra support to enable young people get the most out of their education.
Cut it Out Road Safety Project
The “Cut It Out” programme is two school periods long, (one hour and fifty minutes in total), and covers the main contributory factors in Road Traffic Collisions such as speeding, drink/drug driving and seatbelt use. It aims to raise awareness and challenge attitudes in young people with regards to the dangers associated with our roads.
The programme has been designed in conjunction with education, road safety departments, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Strathclyde Police, West of Scotland Road Safety Forum, NHS and Scottish Ambulance Service and in such a way as to be delivered by specially trained fire service personnel in partnership with other emergency services. It is a curricular based, interactive, multi-media programme designed for S5 and S6 pupils.
The programme, which relies heavily upon the interaction between students and facilitators, requires students to ultimately take on different roles and ‘investigate’ the cause and problems associated with a Road Traffic Collision. They are also asked to look at how the incident could have been avoided and to report their findings back to their peers.
If you want to know more about “Cut It Out” or want to book the programme then please contact your local Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Area Headquarters or Service Headquarters for details.
Would You Credit It Workshops
The SCQF Partnership are running a series of “Would You Credit It?” workshops throughout 2012/13.
These FREE interactive workshops will introduce participants in some detail to the SCQF and the criteria which will determine whether a learning programme is suitable for Credit Rating. It is designed to support individuals and organisations who are developing, or who already have, a learning programme which they are considering having Credit Rated for the SCQF.
The workshop will provide key information about the SCQF, how it can be used, and how Credit Rating processes are carried out. It will consider the development of programmes which are suitable for Credit Rating.
After completing the workshop, participants will have a sound knowledge of the SCQF and will be able to make an informed decision about whether a learning programme is suitable for Credit Rating and the next steps they need to take. No detailed knowledge of the SCQF is required to take part in this workshop.
The workshops will be held on:
- 18 April – Glasgow
- 22 May – Glasgow
- 11 June – Edinburgh
The booking form is available here.
Training: What are my outcomes?
Everyone is talking about outcomes. But what exactly is an outcome?
What is the difference between an outcome and an output? This half-day workshop is for you if you have just started a new project or piece of work and want to set your outcomes. Or maybe you’ve been working for a while and thought you knew what your outcomes were but have got confused!
At this workshop you will:
- Learn what an outcome is – and what it is not.
- Set the right outcomes and outputs for your project.
- Learn some simple methods to start you on the road to measuring outcomes.
Who is the event for?
Staff or volunteers from voluntary organisations
When?
Friday, June 01, 2012, 9.30am to 1pm
Where?
Edinburgh
How much does it cost?
£66.00
How do I find out more?
To enquire about this event please email: info@evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk
Team Update
The Early Years team are busy preparing for our Pre Birth to Three conference taking place on Thursday 29th March at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. We are looking forward to hearing about ‘Creating Nurturing Environments’ and ‘Supporting Parents’ just to name a few of the presentations that will take place.
If you would like to learn more about Pre Birth to Three visit:
…and on Glow…www.bit.ly/PB23Glow
In the meantime keep an eye out for:
- news of our Saturday Conference in May “Learning about Scotland in the Early Years” which will take place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 19 May 2012 – save the date!
- Our latest issue of Early Years Matters focusing on involving parents, featuring articles on our new publication Every Day’s a Learning Day, examples of practice from nurseries on involving parents and research findings from the Early Development Instrument.
National Youth Worker of the Year Award Winners 2012
The Overall Winner of this year’s National Youth Worker of the Year Awards was New Spin Project Team from Citadel Youth Centre & Pilmeny Development Project from Edinburgh.
Please click here and visit YouthLink Scotland’s website for a full list of all the successful winners and runners up.
Remember nominations for next year’s Awards will open on 1 October 2012!
Shakti Roadshows 2012: ‘Honour Based Violence’
Shakti Women’s Aid have organised a series of road shows exploring Honour-based violence and Gender-based violence with a special focus on BME Children and Young People in different cities in Scotland.
The first road show will be held at the Auchterderran Centre in Fife on 13th June 2012
- Pragna Patel (Southall Black Sisters),
- John Fotheringham, (Lindsays Family Solicitors) who will talk about the new Forced Marriage Act
- the FGM charity DARF on Female Genital Mutilation
- Shakti Women’s Aid
The event is free but booking is required: for more information & booking contact Ola on 0131 475 2399 or email info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
CHANGE- learning disabilities sexuality resources
The CHANGE sex and relationship pack includes 5 accessible books on a variety of SHRE Topics
The books encourage understanding of sexuality and awareness of safe sex and can be used to support open discussion about all aspects of sex and relationships.
The books are accessible which can be used as a useful tool for people with learning disabilities, people who speak English as a second language or people who find reading difficult.
CHANGE is a leading national human rights organisation, working for the rights of all people with learning disabilities. They also employ people with learning disabilities on an equal, living wage to produce accessible resources and deliver training.
The books are available either as a pack or as individual books from the CHANGE website
Social media and community learning and development
| Places are still available at the time of writing for the Digitally Agile Scotland seminars organised by The Scottish Community Development Centre, Youthlink Scotland and Learning Link Scotland. The project involves research and case studies of good and interesting practice in the use of social media and new technology in the community learning and development field. The programme is being supported by Education Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
The 3 seminars are in Aberdeen – 22 March 2012, Edinburgh – 27 March 2012 and Glasgow – 29 March 2012. The seminars are for people working in adult learning, youth development and community capacity building and are designed to allow participants to hear about interesting practice involving social media and new technology. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from others, share practice and exchange experience and knowledge. You will also have the opportunity to have your say about the challenges and the importance of guidance in being digitally agile for your personal and professional development. The seminars are free of charge but places are limited. To book you place on the either one of the 3 seminars please click on the link below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DACLDseminar. If you require further information about the programme please contact Paul Nelis paul@scdc.org.uk In addition, the following items might be of interest to anyone thinking about using social media in the contxt of community-led health or community development:
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Community Toolkit Online Resource
| Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations have developed this online reference tool for community groups of all sizes – from small clubs to larger social enterprises. Containing information on a wide range of topics, the Community Toolkit guides you through consultations with your local community, setting up a group or project, managing and developing your activities and looking after the people that use your services. The Community Toolkit also includes a section on Generating Income and a funder’s database to help you find suitable funding sources. Find your local Community Toolkit at http://community-toolkit.org.uk/local-toolkit.htm. |
Drug Awareness – Do You Know the Signs?
Substance Misuse is a problem in many schools across Scotland but do you know what the signs might be and what to look out for? Possibly not so this special CPD event is aimed at you.
Constable Dougie McClounie from the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency will deliver this Glow Meet on Tuesday 27th March from 4pm looking at the key issues surrounding drug education in Scotland.
He has wide range of experience including community policing and supporting young people in further and higher education. He was the drug awareness officer for Glasgow city centre and west end where he delivered a wide range of drug related presentations including inputs to all schools in the division.
Constable McClounie is now a member of the Interventions team at the SCDEA. He has a great interest in delivering drug education and awareness to support young people in making the correct choices in life. He also works in the planning teams for both Choices for Life and Shared Responsibility.
This Glow Meet will be useful to all practitioners working with children and young people. The importance of effective partnership working in substance misuse education will be discussed and there will be an opportunity to ask ‘tricky’ questions.
Sign up and join us in Glow TV – Health and wellbeing – Substance Misuse
Literacy in Action
Literacy in Action: Supporting Colleges to Influence Early Years Practice
The Literacy in Action: Supporting Colleges to Influence Early Years Practice Conference took place at Stirling Management Centre on Saturday 25 February 2012. This event was organised by Education Scotland to give Further Education lecturers an opportunity to hear about the Scottish Government’s Literacy Action Plan.
View video of the keynote speakers here.
Enjoy!
Wise up Wednesday – see our exciting new early years resources!
Every Day’s a Learning Day
Two new books have been published by Education Scotland to help parents and carers of young children to make the most of the learning experiences that exist in everyday life.
‘Every Day’s a Learning Day (Birth to 3 years)’ and ‘Every Day’s a Learning Day (3 to 6 years)’ aim to help parents support their child’s development in the crucial areas of health and wellbeing, literacy and numeracy.
Both books are available in English and Gaelic language versions.
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/everydaylearning
There will be a copy of each of the books with the next issue of Education Scotland’s Early Years Matters.
The books will be distributed in the Scottish Booktrust’s Bookbug bags. The Birth to 3 book will go to parents when they visit their health visitor for their child’s first vaccination from March onwards. The 3-6 book will be in Bookbug bags for children when they turn 3 and join nursery.
All Our Children: Positive Experiences, Successful Outcomes for Looked After and Other Vulnerable Children
Glasgow – 4 to 7 September 2012
CELCIS are organising the 12th European Scientific Association on Residential and Foster Care for Children and Adolescents conference.
The call for papers is open until 23 March and organisers are keen for Scottish practitioners, policy makers and academics to submit contributions of innovative practice, such as effective partnership work that supports young people in care, leaving care, foster care or through care, as this conference is an excellent opportunity to showcase work that is going on in Scotland.
Details of how to submit an abstract can be found here.
Information on the EUSARF 2012 Conference can be found here.
Youth Employment Seminar
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
Did you know that 102,000 16 to 24 year-olds in Scotland were unemployed from October to December 2011? The employment rate was 52.9% in Scotland (50.2% for UK).
FEdS is organising a seminar on Youth employability: The opportunities and challenges of a changing recruitment market on 28 March at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, involving Education Scotland as a FEdS member and recruitment specialist Bright Purple Resourcing. The seminar coincides with the first National Career Guidance Show to be held in Scotland, organised by Prospects and the Institute of Career Guidance. Follow the link for more information or contact coral.rayfield@feds.co.uk to book your place.
FEdS is a small, specialist organisation that provides a neutral space where senior, experienced people from business, education and government can think creatively and work collaboratively.
FEdS was established in 1996; it has a membership of over 50 organisations and a significant network of associates drawn from a wide range of sectors. FEdS aims to create greater understanding between business, government and education, leading to better policies and practices.
Wise Up Wednesday – did you know about…?
Tracy’s Early Years Lowe-down
This weekly blog is the place Early Years Training Manager at the Scottish Book Trust Tracy Lowe (hence the pun-tastic title) shares new resources, interesting information and research relating to the early years.http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/blog/tracys-early-years-lowedown
NHS Health Scotland
NHS Health Scotland’s 2011 publications catalogue
http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/15300-PublishingCatalogue2011
Maternal and Early Years
This website is for everyone working in the early years workforce in Scotland. It covers a wide breadth of information relevant to practitioners at all levels. It brings together a wealth of up-to-date information, key resources and support.
http://www.maternal-and-early-years.org.uk/
SSSC Workforce Solutions
Practice Simulation for Childhood Practice and Practitioner Research
Resources to support the teaching of Judaism in schools
The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities website provides a wealth of information that can be used to support the teaching of Judaism in schools. The Resources section of the website has many useful documents including “Scotland Jews”. Their quarterly magazine “Four Corners” contains many useful articles and sources from people around the country that well help bring alive the message of what it means to be Jewish in Scotland today.
Many of the articles on the consultations pages will show you how Judaism in Scotland has reacted to many current moral and ethical issues that the Scottish Parliament has been discussing.
Please visit the website and browse this useful and engaging website full or articles and resources.
Mental Health Toolkit for Young Carers
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Young Carers Mental Health Toolkit is now available online for anyone working with young carers. The toolkit was developed in direct response to worker requests for more resources around promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. The toolkit also addresses requests made by young carers for more information and help in dealing with emergency situations and building support. The toolkit was developed by Young Carers Mental Health Development Coordinator from Princess Royal Trust for Carers, in partnership with Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance and funded by The Scottish Government. You can access the toolkit here.
Alternatively it can be found on www.youngcarers.net click on Professionals page and then on subheading Health and follow the links to the toolkit.
In addition The Princess Royal Trust for Carers website has excellent information and resources for anyone working with Young Carers.
Wanted! Creative teachers and CLD staff
Are you creative in the classroom? Do you empower creativity in your young people?
Education Scotland is looking for teachers and CLD staff who use creativity in their work to speak up and share their creative learning and teaching approaches with the rest of Scotland through a series of very short online film clips.
Creativity in its purest sense involves generating original ideas that have value and crosses ALL areas of the curriculum (not just the arts) and we are looking for examples from subjects as diverse as PE, Languages and Maths. It could be the young people learning creative skills or an approach to lesson planning that is particularly creative. What creativity might involve can be found here: http://glo.li/xGyO32
Here are the questions we would like to put to you:
• What is creativity (to you)?
• Why be creative in your teaching?
• What happens when the young learners are engaged in a creative activity?
• What did you and your young learners do that was creative?
You might explain an example of what creativity looks like in your classroom or group.
You might detail day-to-day creative approaches or else explain a specific project, topic or development.
How did this specifically benefit you and the young people?
You will be filmed by a professional film company (they really put you at your ease) who will come to you, fit around your timetable, and the whole process of setting up and filming will take less than half an hour. Ultimately we are capturing just 3 minutes of glorious quality footage from you that will be shared through the Creativity Portal. This is a great opportunity to showcase your creativity to a national audience.
The filming will be arranged to suit you some time in the next three weeks.
It takes moments to offer your experience or suggest a colleague who you think would fit the bill:
Go to: http://glo.li/z0Mi3s
Email: Stephen.bullock@educationscotland.gov.uk
Phone: 0141 282 5194
Generations Working Together – National Conference (Glasgow)
| National Conference is being held on Tuesday 13th March, 10.00 – 16.30, Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, Glasgow, G1 1TF. The conference is aimed at practitioners and those interested in the benefits of embedding intergenerational practice into policy. The key-note speech will be delivered by Carol Craig, Chief Executive, Centre for Confidence and Well-Being.
To view further information click here. The deadline for booking your place at the event is Wednesday 29th February 2012. To book a place click here. |
Children’s Mental Health Conference 2012 (Glasgow)
| This conference will aim to refresh and enhance your knowledge on a variety of key topics and current developments in the field of children’s mental health, show examples of good practice and most importantly provide you with practical information which you can apply. It will take place on Tuesday 15th May 2012 at Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel and costs £197 including lunch and refreshments.
Please click on the following link for information on the conference and booking details – http://www.bipolarscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Mental-Heath-Troubled-Times.pdf |
Digitally Agile Scotland – Seminars
| The Scottish Community Development Centre, Youthlink Scotland and Learning Link Scotland are working in partnership to deliver the Digitally Agile Project. The project involves research and case studies of good and interesting practice in the use of social media and new technology in the community learning and development field. The programme is being supported by Education Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
As part of the project we will be hosting 3 seminars in Aberdeen – 22 March 2012, Edinburgh – 27 March 2012 and Glasgow – 29 March 2012. The seminars are for people working in adult learning, youth development and community capacity building and are designed to allow participants to hear about interesting practice involving social media and new technology. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from others, share practice and exchange experience and knowledge. You will also have the opportunity to have your say about the challenges and the importance of guidance in being digitally agile for your personal and professional development. The seminars are free of charge but places are limited. To book you place on the either one of the 3 seminars please click on the link below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DACLDseminar If you require further information about the programme please contact Paul Nelis paul@scdc.org.uk |
What are friends for?
The presence of friends mitigates negative experiences, study proves
“Stand by me” is a common refrain when it comes to friendship; however, new research from Concordia University proves that the concept goes beyond pop music: keeping friends close has real physiological and psychological benefits.
The presence of a best friend directly affects children going through negative experiences, as reported in the recent Concordia-based study published in Developmental Psychology. The study was conducted with the collaboration of researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Feelings of self-worth and levels of cortisol, a hormone produced naturally by the adrenal gland in direct response to stress, are largely dependent on the social context of a negative experience.
“Having a best friend present during an unpleasant event has an immediate impact on a child’s body and mind,” says author William M. Bukowski, a psychology professor and director of the Concordia Centre for Research in Human Development. “If a child is alone when he or she gets in trouble with a teacher or has an argument with a classmate, we see a measurable increase in cortisol levels and decrease in feelings of self-worth.”
A total of 55 boys and 48 girls from grades 5 and 6 in local Montreal schools took part in the study. Participants kept journals on their feelings and experiences over the course of four days and submitted to regular saliva tests that monitored cortisol levels.
Concordia psychology professor William M. Bukowski | Photo by Concordia University
Although previous studies have shown that friendships can protect against later adjustment difficulties, this study is the first to definitively demonstrate that the presence of a friend results in an immediate benefit for the child undergoing a negative experience.
These results have far-reaching implications. “Our physiological and psychological reactions to negative experiences as children impacts us later in life,” explains Bukowski. “Excessive secretion of cortisol can lead to significant physiological changes, including immune suppression and decreased bone formation. Increased stress can really slow down a child’s development.”
According to Bukowski, when it comes to feelings of self-worth, “What we learn about ourselves as children is how we form our adult identities. If we build up feelings of low self-worth during childhood, this will translate directly into how we see ourselves as adults.”
The study builds on previous research at Concordia that has shown multiple friendships inoculate against negative outcomes such as bullying, exclusion and other kinds of aggression.
About the study
The paper, “The Presence of a Best Friend Buffers the Effects of Negative Experiences,” published in the journal Developmental Psychology, was authored by William M. Bukowski of Concordia University in Canada, Ryan E. Adams of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and John Bruce Santo of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the United States.
The Review of the Community Learning and Development Strategy in Scotland
| The Review of the Community Learning and Development Strategy in Scotland |
| The discussion on the review of the CLD Strategy has now been widened and anyone interested can view the discussion paper and engage in the discussions online by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7T2R5CJ.
This is the route for formal written responses to the discussion, and is an opportunity to drive forward essential aspects of key agendas including Curriculum for Excellence, the Literacy Action Plan, 16+ Learning Choices, regeneration and community empowerment. The Scottish Government also sees the discussion as a way of developing shared thinking on key issues including post-16 education, college regionalisation and the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill. |
Amazing things 3
Amazing Things 3 – a guide to the youth awards in Scotland – has been published
Launch of new edition of Amazing Things supports youth employment agenda
As Scotland’s youth unemployment figures continue to rise, a new edition of flagship publication Amazing Things highlights the range of opportunities available for young people through Scotland’s youth awards.
The third edition of Amazing Things – a guide to the youth awards in Scotland, has been produced by the Awards Network, a forum of twenty-one providers of non-formal learning awards across Scotland.The Awards Network was established by Youth Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s Volunteer Action Plan.
Amazing Things (Third edition) and the work of the Awards Network is in alignment with the Scottish Government’s strategy to tackle the national challenges of youth unemployment. Both recognise the significant role youth work has to play in supporting young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
As well as providing an index of the awards available for young people aged 12 – 25, the publication celebrates the significant voluntary contributions that young people are already making in their own communities. It makes a clear link between use of the youth awards and an increase in young people’s ‘soft’ skills and employability levels.
A key publication for youth work organisations, schools, colleges, universities, and employers, Amazing Things (Third edition), is available to download for free here.
Adolescent Health and Risk Behaviours Symposium
Adolescent Health and Risk Behaviours Symposium
Policy, Research and Practice
Wednesday 29th February 2012
Royal Society of Edinburgh, George Street, Edinburgh
9:30am – 3:30pm
If you would like to register for a place, please complete and return this form to Renee Ingram (renee.ingram@scphrp.ac.uk).
Youth Employment Strategy
The Scottish Government has, today, published its youth employment strategy.
You can access the full document here: http://tinyurl.com/7prjx3r
You can access the full document here: http://tinyurl.com/7prjx3r
A Right Wee Blether
A RIGHT wee blether, a creative conversation led by Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People ran from 12th September – 31st October 2011.
The Commissioner, Tam Baillie, has a responsibility to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people in Scotland. A RIGHT wee blether encouraged children to creatively express how they feel by answering five key questions:
- How are you feeling today?
- What makes you smile?
- Who is special to you?
- You are given a special star, where will you put it?
- What would you like to change?
The views and experiences of children have been captured and summarised. These responses, in addition to the consultation with school age children a RIGHT blether, will inform the Commissioner’s work over the next four years.
- To find out more about the work of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People and a RIGHT wee blether please visit http://www.sccyp.org.uk/.
- You can also see an example of how this was put into practice by visiting St Joseph’s Nursery website.
Health and Wellbeing Profiles 2010, Scotland Overview Report
Click here to access the 2010 health profiles, along with complementary profiles focussing on children and young 
people. These profiles highlight the considerable variation in health between areas and help identify priorities for health improvement. The profiles give a snapshot overview of health for each area using spine charts (which show how the area compares to the Scottish average), and allow further understanding of the results via rank charts and trend charts.
New briefing from Enquire – Extra Support at School: The rights of looked after children
New Briefing from Enquire – Extra Support at School: The Rights of Looked After Children
The law says that all looked after children should have the extra support they need to get the most out of their education and achieve their full potential. Enquire has published a new briefing paper that explains the rights of looked after children under the Additional Support for Learning Act. The briefing identifies different reasons why looked after children may need extra support to get the most out of their learning, and gives examples of different ways that support can be provided. It looks at the responsibilities that education authorities have towards looked after children’s education, including their legal duty to consider whether a looked after child requires a co-ordinated support plan to ensure that agencies work together to plan what help the child needs to learn effectively. It also considers issues around school attendance and school exclusion, and the processes by which disputes about support for learning can be resolved.
The briefing will help professionals in education, social work and health in relation to GIRFEC and the corporate parent role, and will be useful for parents and carers in knowing how to ensure their child is getting help when they need it most.
To download a free copy of Enquire’s briefing, visit here
All about ME!
Are you able to help children and young people to have their say about Scotland’s Children’s Hearings system?
Events: 14 March – Dundee; 21 March – Aviemore; 28 March – Glasgow
The Scottish Government will be holding a series of free engagement events, in age appropriate workshop format, targeting children and young people from 5 years upwards (no upper age limit). The Scottish Government wants to hear what children and young people – who have been through the hearings system – think about its plans for reform of the Children’s Hearings system and whether they think the Government’s proposals would improve their experience of attending hearings. If you can help children and young people to come along to one of these events please express interest on behalf of the child. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who should stay at the venue for the duration of the event. Each event will run from 10.45 am – 3.30 pm and lunch will be provided.
The closing date for registrations is 1 March. Register the child’s interest at: childrens.hearings@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Please indicate which event the child or young person will attend as well as their name, age and contact details. If the child is under 16 please provide your own contact details too. For more information see Scottish Government – Children’s Hearings System website http://www.chscotland.gov.uk/
Enquire national conference
The Enquire national conference takes place on 8 March at The Quay in Musselburgh.
As an annual gathering of key people connected to additional support for learning across Scotland, the Enquire conference intends to spark ideas and actions that will further the understanding and appreciation of practice in the field. A report of findings of the conference will be sent to attendees and submitted to the Scottish Government.
Starting in 2012, the Scottish Parliament requires an annual report from Scottish Ministers in order to monitor the implementation of the Additional Support for Learning Act. The mandatory information includes four components the number of children and young people with additional support needs, the main factors giving rise to those additional support needs, the types of support provided and the cost of providing that support.
A vital consideration following this reporting will be what we know about the positive difference being made by additional support for learning and how we can better demonstrate that difference.
Conference participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, ideas and evidence around three broad themes:
● Ensuring positive outcomes from additional support
● Engaging effectively with children and families
● Effective co-ordination across the diverse services and professions in the ASL arena.
Confirmed speakers include:
● Chair, Keir Bloomer, The Commission on School Reform and Vice-convener, Children in Scotland
● Laura Meikle, Senior Policy Adviser, Support and Wellbeing Unit, Scottish Government
● Elizabeth King, Principal Educational Psychologist South Lanarkshire Council
● and film launch – young people from Edinburgh and East Lothian share their views about support that helps.
The following link will take you straight to the relevant section of the Children in Scotland website.
National No Smoking Day 14th March 2012
National no smoking day takes place on 14th March 2012. Register your no smoking day event by following the link below:
http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/organisers/eventsregister.php
No Smoking Day was established as a national event on Ash Wednesday in 1984, and has grown in status and in impact over the past the 25 years.
No Smoking Day was originally organised by a committee of representatives from organisations with an interest in smoking and health. In 1988 No Smoking Day took on full time campaign staff and the Day continues to be organised by a small number of full time staff. No Smoking Day was registered as a charity in 1991 and in 2011 the charity was merged with the British Heart Foundation.
Since its inception, No Smoking Day has aimed to support those smokers who want to quit; research shows that around three in every four smokers would like to stop.
The success of the No Smoking Day is built on the commitment of local organisers throughout the UK. There are now over 8,000 registered campaigners for No Smoking Day and the charity circulates over 35,000 campaign packs each year.
The hard work of these dedicated organisers has helped ensure that No Smoking Day has remained the UK’s foremost public health event, with over a million people making a quit attempt every year.
Young Scot – Climate Change and Sustainability: Community Action for a Sustainable Scotland
Young Scot is currently working on a project, in partnership with the 2020 Climate Group, around young people and climate change and sustainability. As part of this they are developing an interactive map of Scotland which will highlight current activities within the ‘climate change and sustainability’ field for young people to take part in, in their local area.
If you know of any relevant projects or activities (around climate change and sustainability) in your area for young people aged 14 to 26 years old please advise cats@youngscot.org Additionally, if you could send this information around your contacts/networks and ask them to contact Cat with any information. This will help to ensure that as many projects/activities that operate at a local level are identified and put on the map.
New sustainable development resources for community groups
| A new set of educational resources on sustainable development for community organisations has been produced by CHEX’s parent organisation, the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC). Community Action for a Sustainable Scotland (CASS) is a set of 7 resources aimed at community projects and groups, which offer advice ranging from how to develop a sustainability plan to simple tips for recycling and saving energy. They also contain illustrative examples from projects around Scotland.
The resources were adapted by SCDC from material produced as part of the Every Action Counts programme in England and aim to support both large and small scale community organisations to carry out their activities in ways which protect the environment without impacting on efficiencies and which ensure greater levels of sustainability for the longer term. Visit the SCDC website to view and download the resources for free. |
Child Poverty Map of Scotland
Child poverty map highlights level of inequality in Scotland
The worst areas for child poverty in Scotland have been mapped for the first time find out more here
Consultation “Speak Out for LGB people in school”
A survey is being carried out by researchers in the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge for Stonewall UK. This survey is for young people in England, Scotland and Wales who are aged 11 to 19 and who are lesbian, gay or bisexual (or think they might be). The survey is about their experiences in school or college: Five years ago Stonewall carried out the first big study about LGB young people’s experiences at school: this survey is intended to discover if things have changed, and what action still needs to done to make things better.
Award in Volunteering Skills
The Award in Volunteering Skills at SCQF Levels 3, 4 and 5 provides formal recognition of volunteering activity. Through participation in volunteering activities, candidates will develop a range of skills and personal development experiences which will help to prepare them for responsibility, further education and employment.
Candidates learn about the context of volunteering; plan a volunteering placement; review and reflect on their own skills and volunteering experience; and complete an investigative project.
More information is available here.
Young Scot Extra
Young Scot is working in partnership with the Scottish Government to help increase young people’s confidence in being more financially capable by providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions and choices around money-related issues.
As part of this work, Young Scot is delivering four seminars to demonstrate how Young Scot Extra supports the senior phase of the Curriculum for Excellence, and how it can assist those working with young people post-school and involved in 16+ Activity Agreements in delivering financial capability information to young people. The seminars also aim to provide an opportunity for practitioners to get involved in the discussions around young people and financially capability, and to help shape the services and information Young Scot Extra offers.
The events will take place between 10am and 12pm on:
- 18 January – The Mitchell Library, Glasgow
- 19 January – The Discovery, Dundee
- 20 January – Oasis Youth Centre, Dumfries and Galloway
- 23 January – 6VT Youth Café, Edinburgh
Contact: Rachel Eddington at Young Scot, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | website ]
Promoting Youth Employability and Rights Conference (Glasgow)
This free conference takes place on Tuesday 21st February 2012, 09:30-15:30 at the STUC Centre in Glasgow, and is a partnership conference between BEMIS, the Scottish Refugee Council, the Scottish Trades Union Congress / One Workplace Equal Rights (STUC), the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) Scotland, and the Scottish Inter Faith Council. The conference has the following aims:
Details of speakers and a full programme will be available in January 2012. To register interest in attending, please send your details (name, organisation, email address and telephone number) to: conference@bemis.org.uk or contact Tanveer Parnez, BEMIS, Centrum Building, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DX, 0141 548 8047 / Fax: 0141 548 8284 |
Children and Young people’s Mental Health Indicators
| NHS Health Scotland has launched a new set of indicators for the mental health of children and young people in Scotland. Updated every four years, the profile aims to provide a greater understanding of the current and changing picture of mental health within this population and the factors that influence it.
A briefing which contains the indicators is available from the Health Scotland website The indicators were launched at an event on 25th November at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The presentations are available here, and videos of the presentations will be added to this webpage shortly as will the final report from the project.
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Notes from Community Development Alliance Scotland (CDAS) Conference available
| Presentations and reports from the CDAS Conference held on 22 November 2011 at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh are now available to download. The conference was entitled “Community Development: at the centre of the action”, and presentations were given by Alan Johnston, Deputy Director, Public Bodies and Public Service Reform, Scottish Government, Gerry McLaughlin, CEO, NHS Health Scotland and Gabriel Chanan, PACES (Public Agency and Community Empowerment Strategies). Powerpoint slides from these presentations, as well as notes from conference workshops can be accessed here. |
New Better Community Engagement resources available
| The Scottish Government has made available learning and training resources produced as part of the Better Community Engagement (BCE) programme which SCDC helped to deliver nationally. These include practical materials, training guides and resource packs based on the local BCE demonstration projects which were delivered through the programme.
The programme was based on the Better Community Engagement Framework (Learning Connections, Communities Scotland, 2007) which sets out a framework of competences designed to enable the planning of learning in community engagement and was developed to build the capacity of practitioners in community engagement. The aims of the programme were to:
Examples of the kind of resources available include training material for community and voluntary groups, templates for needs assessments, training for trainers and a guide to better engagement between public agencies and faith communities. These, and many other resources, can be downloaded from the Better Community Engagement section of the Scottish Government website. Click here to find out more about the background to SCDC’s involvement in the programme. |
Making the Difference in Partnership conference, 3rd February 2012, Glasgow
Making the Difference in Partnership is a CPD opportunity exploring collaborative approaches to improving outcomes of young people who are most disadvantaged and may require more choices and more chances.
Delegates will have the chance to participate in practice workshops, hearing how a range of providers are working in partnership to develop young people’s skills for learning, life and work.
Nominations for attending this event are being sought from a wide audience including: education authorities, schools, community learning and development and third sector organisations.
As you may be aware, Building the Curriculum 4 states that:-
Curriculum for Excellence can best be delivered through partnership working. All establishments should work with partners and share a common understanding and language around skills development and application. Together, they should plan and deliver learning and other experiences which meet the needs of individual children and young people.
This event will provide an excellent opportunity for delegates to find out about a range of partnership approaches to delivering this agenda that could be replicated in their area.
Please use this link to complete the online booking form by 20th January 2011. Please note spaces for this event may not be allocated on a first come first served basis.
For more information please contact Neil McIntosh or Sheila Doogan.
Child poverty toolkit
This resource will support the development and implementation of Scotland’s Strategy for Child Poverty. The aim is to provide a single point of reference to assist those involved in tackling child poverty locally throughout Scotland.
View the Child Poverty Toolkit.
ESOL Glow Group
The ESOL Glow Group has now been set up for teachers delivering NQ ESOL in Schools. To access this group, you will need to request membership. If you would like to become a member, please send your Glow user name to Peter Lanigan requesting membership of the group.
ESOL Workshops January – March 2012
Education Scotland will provide opportunities to run ESOL Workshops to cover training around the national ESOL Initial Assessment Guide and to raise awareness of the Adult ESOL Curriculum Framework. If you are an ESOL provider and are interested in running a workshop for practitioners, please contact Mandy Watts.
Connect: Communities of Practice
We are pleased to announce the launch of Connect, our new online communities of practice previously known as CoPAL (Communities of Practice in Adult Literacies). All the groups previously found in CoPAL have been retained but the online community now serves not just adult literacies practitioners but those working across a range of community contexts, from adult learning to work with young people to community capacity building.
If you are already a member of CoPAL you are automatically part of Connect so please continue to log on to the site as usual. The web address www.copal.org.uk remains active for the time being. However, a new web address www.cpconnect.org.uk is now live.
If you are new to Connect, and wish to become a member please go to www.cpconnect.org.uk and you will see an option to register for the network. Follow the online instructions to register and set up your password. Once you have gained access to Connect you will be able to join various themed groups and engage in discussions or find ideas for resources and much more.
Please contact Peter Lanigan if you need any further support to join Connect.
Bridging the Divide – Sailing with OYT Scotland
Ocean Youth Trust Scotland have received a pledge of £3,000 towards fees for a week long residential voyage aimed at bringing together young people from across the sectarian divide.
The Trust would like to hear from youth workers who may know of young people who would be interested in this opportunity and be able to support the young people involved to fundraise remaining costs.
The voyage will take place from 4 to 10 June 2012. A total of 12 young people will sail together and learn from each other while working as a team and having a great time.
Contact: Jan at Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, phone: 01475 722722 [ e-mail | website ]
Young YMCA activists unite for climate justice
Eighty young YMCA activists are spending five weeks traveling through six African countries by bus. Why? Because they believe in the urgency of mobilising people all over Africa to take a keen interest in the upcoming UN summit on climate change. click to read more
Promoting Youth Employability and Rights Conference
Tuesday 21st February 2012, 09:30—15:30
STUC Centre, Glasgow. Free of charge.
A partnership conference between BEMIS, the Scottish Refugee Council, the Scottish Trades Union Congress / One Workplace Equal Rights (STUC), the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) Scotland, and the Scottish Inter Faith Council with the following aims:
- Raise awareness of employability opportunities, equality and rights for youth and potential employers
- Provide a platform to address gaps in support of youth employment
- Empower and present new opportunities in education, skills and build links with different sectors and industry in employment and help youth to exercise their right in breaking barriers and discrimination in the job market
- Seek to develop a charter on supporting youth employment as well as engaging potential employers with regards to opportunities and responsibilities
Details of speakers and a full programme will be available in January 2012.
To register interest in attending, please send your details (name, organisation, email address and telephone number) to: conference@bemis.org.uk
or contact Tanveer Parnez, BEMIS, Centrum Building, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DX
0141 548 8047 / Fax: 0141 548 8284
Heart to Heart
The British Heart Foundation Scotland is committed to educating young people about the importance of making
healthy choices, at every stage of life from nursery school through into adulthood. This includes diet and physical activity, as well as smoking awareness and wider community involvement through initiatives like our Heartstart programme.
There is a whole section of their website dedicated to resources that are available to schools, including a kids’ and schools’ catalogue.
Click here to find out about loads of helpful resources from the British Heart Foundation.
