We are absolutely delighted to confirm that Action for Children have kindly offered to host a Roots of Empathy course in the Scottish Borders next academic session. This course will only be able to run if we have enough interest across out schools. A minimum of 6 delegates are required to run this course and the cost per school would be £1682.63 and £306.50 for annual re-accreditation.
The opportunity was discussed with Cluster Leads on Friday, so this might be something you would like to discuss with your Cluster Lead first.
Roots of Empathy is a Mental, health and wellbeing programme which has been delivered in Primary schools in Scotland for over 15 years. Roots of Empathy is experiential learning at its best and at the heart of the programme is a local parent and baby who visit the class over the course of the school year.
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based research programme, and these are the goals:
- To foster the development of emotional literacy and empathy,
- To reduce levels of bullying and aggression and promote prosocial behaviours (e.g., helping, caring, sharing, including, etc.), promote children’s mental health,
- To prepare pupils for responsive parenting
- To prepare pupils for responsible citizenship, and
- To promote mental health, resilience, and well-being among children
The children/young people are guided by a trained instructor to observe the emotions of the baby, to name these emotions and be able to identify these emotions in themselves and others which leads to perspective taking and empathy. ( emotional literacy). They learn about infant development, brain development, the attachment relationship, and important safety messages not just for babies but for themselves and this helps prepare pupils for the future.
Here is feedback from one of our class teachers who had the programme in her classroom this year:
“Over the course of the Roots of Empathy programme, I observed positive changes in many of the children’s emotional awareness and their interactions with others. Several pupils—particularly those who are more vulnerable—began to show increased empathy and sensitivity in their relationships with peers. The Family Visits were a clear highlight, with children showing high levels of engagement and curiosity about the baby’s development. The overall experience helped create meaningful conversations around feelings, caring, and understanding others, which contributed to a more supportive and connected classroom environment.
Thank you for everything you did to bring the programme to life in our classroom. The experience has created meaningful learning opportunities, and the memories will be carried with the children for years to come”.
Click here to access the documents listed below:
- The programme information leaflet for schools which explains the programme in detail and the HT school role/class teacher role.
- Mental health and wellbeing brochure (Roots of Empathy)
- Recent Annual programme evaluation report from ROE for Scotland 2025
- Girfec document and how Roots of Empathy links to each area on the Shanarri wheel.
- Link to Roots of Empathy introduction video ( see below)
https://youtu.be/zrqt4dPGBXo?si=q5jmA9J-xjV_7P9F
Costs for training a new instructor are £1682.63 and this includes –
- 3 days instructor training in September (29 Sept- 1st Oct 2026 at Inspire Tweedbank)
- 1-day mid-year training in February or March (23rd February 2027 at Inspire Tweedbank)
- Full family visit kit, toys, blanket, doll, infant roll
- Full literacy kit and bag
- Curriculum manuals
- Book, lanyard, leaflets, and baby t-shirts with school start up banners, leaflets, posters.
- Mentoring support and a classroom visit to school (4 phone calls and 1 visit) and additional emails or calls as required.
- Support from KPP (key, point person)
Annual Re-certification costs are £306.50 which includes –
- Half day annual professional development workshop
- Baby t-shirts, poster, banner and start up leaflets
- Mentoring support (3 phone calls) and any additional emails or calls required for continued programme support .
- KPP support
If you have a member of staff who you would like to put forward for this training please email CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk ASAP. We would like to have a definitive number by the end of May so that we can make a decision on whether or not we can run this course.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further info.
