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Understanding the implications of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

i Feb 8th No Comments by

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Keeping Children Safe, Healthy  and Happy

Since July last year, the Gathered Together team at BEMIS has been engaging with community organisations to find out about their experiences of supporting EM parents on education matters. Through our engagement we found that community practitioners were involved in a wide range of activities to support parents including; supporting parents with school and nursery registration (including accompanying them to the school/nursery), running homework clubs or making referrals, providing information on rights and entitlements, including to clothing grants and school meals, providing ESOL classes/signposting to ESOL classes, helping parents make decisions about what is in the child’s best interest and organising sports activities for young people.

A common issue highlighted by all the community practitioners we engaged with was the lack of awareness by EM parents about the legislative framework around children in Scotland.  As a result of this, some parents have found themselves on the wrong side of the law and accounts of children being taken into care for being disciplined by their parents were given. We are also aware that most community organisations are volunteering organisations and due to the wide range of services they provide, they may not have the capacity to keep up with the dynamic policy environment.

Reflecting on these issues and the need for children and young people in Scotland to grow up feeling Safe, Healthy and Happy, BEMIS is offering a unique opportunity for community practitioners that support EM families to attend a workshop. The workshop will consider the implications of the new Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, due to be implemented in August this year.

Workshop aims

The workshop will provide an important opportunity for community practitioners and parents to explore the changes to the legislative framework around children in Scotland with a particular focus on understanding the “Getting It Right For Every Child” approach (GIRFEC). It will provide a platform for community practitioners and parents to share their experiences and enable community practitioners to provide a better informed service for families.

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the legislative framework around children in Scotland and signpost parents to relevant information and services.
  • Identify the core components of GIRFEC and explain how it is applied in practice.
  • Explain the implications of the GIRFEC approach in safeguarding children.

When and where

The workshop will take place on 9 March 2016 in the Woodlands Room at the Albany Learning Centre, 44 Ashley Street, Woodlands, Glasgow, G3 6DS. The workshop will run from 10 am- 1 pm.

To book a place or find out more email judy.wasige@bemis.org.uk or phone 0141 548 8047

It will be delivered by GCVS Everyone’s Children Project in partnership with BEMIS Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.

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