Scottish Government delays Scottish Child Payment to February 2021

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Child poverty

Scottish Government recently announced a further delay to Scottish Child Payment. The Scottish Child Payment will now open for applications in November, with first payments from the end of February 2021.

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Children (Scotland) Bill passes final stage

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

The Bill was passed unanimously by Scottish Parliament on Tuesday the 25 th of August, meaning it will soon become law. Amendments in relation to the voice of the child, promotion of sibling contact and child welfare reporters were successful.

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New name for CYCJ

Date: 4th September 2020
Category:

Known since 2013 as the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice or “CYCJ” for short, “CYCJ” will now stand for the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice.

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Second phase of Connecting Scotland programme launched

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

Scottish Government has announced that a further £15 million will be provided to expand the Connecting Scotland programme to help a further 23,000 households get online.

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Recommendations submitted to Scotland’s Expert Advisory Group on COVID and ethnicity

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Lockdown has resulted in higher levels of poverty and destitution and has disproportionately impacted members of minority ethnic communities, especially people with No Recourse to Public Funds. The Ethnic Minority National Resilience Network has set out the priority actions Scottish Government should take to mitigate this disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority ethnic patients, health staff and communities.

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Report on inequalities, participation and human rights during COVID-19

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Disabled children

The report considers the impact of COVID-19 on the existing inequalities experienced by disabled people, namely: poverty and food insecurity, isolation and exclusion, health inequalities and social care. Recommendations to Scottish Government are included to ensure the human rights of disabled people are protected.

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Call to ensure all children can participate in the arts

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

A group of organisations and artists have revisited a 2018 campaign which called on Scottish Government to ensure all children can participate in high quality, innovative arts experiences from the earliest age. The organisations fear that fiscal pressures due to COVID-19 may result in reduced funding for arts and creative organisations and initiatives which benefit children.

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Childhood criminal exploitation and school exclusions

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Children in situations of exploitation, Education, including vocational education

A new report highlights the circular links between childhood criminal exploitation and exclusion from education. It highlights that children who are outside mainstream education are more vulnerable to becoming a victim of childhood criminal exploitation, meanwhile children who are criminally exploited may be disproportionately affected by exclusion.

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Take part in the COVID-19 Family Life Study

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

This study explores the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on family life across cultures. Findings will be used to inform policies, programmes, and supports for families. Parents or carers of children under 18 years old are encouraged to participate.

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Mitigating learning losses due to COVID-19

Date: 4th September 2020
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

Using data from 164 countries, new research identifies educational strategies put in place around the world to mitigate the impact of extended school closures on children’s learning. It considers the impact of school closures on the most vulnerable children and highlights examples of good practice.

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