Vulnerable Children and Eucation
On the PINS site we want to explore what vulnerability means and how it impacts on the experience of school. We focused on the theme in 2008. We held an event in 08 looking at 'Challenging Poverty and Promoting Literacy
HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES, PUBLICATIONS OR INITIATIVES THAT WILL HELP WITH CONSIDERATION OF THIS THEME. DO LET US KNOW OF OTHERS AND WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE.
NEW - Getting It Right for Every Child – evaluation of Highland ‘pathfinder’, 06/09
Findings of this Highland pathfinder include that ‘Earlier and more appropriate intervention has meant that the rate of children being placed on the child protection register has fallen by half’.
Read the full report HERE
Read summary HERE
NEW - How well do we protect Scotland’s children?
A report on the findings of the joint inspections of services to protect children 2005-2009, HMIe.
For more information, go to the Scottish Government Press Release: HERE
For the report go HERE
NEW - Sexual abuse and therapeutic services for children and young people
This research report was carried out by the NSPCC and the University of Edinburgh.
For the full report and an executive summary go HERE
NEW - Getting Beyond Bullying and Exclusion: Empowering Children in Inclusive Classrooms
By Ronald Mah, 2009. This book focuses on the vulnerabilities of children who get bullied, particularly those with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), Aspergers Syndrome, and gifted abilities. It also explains the victim dynamic, including how otherwise well-meaning adults can inadvertently facilitate development of victim personalities in children or unintentionally contribute to the development of bully personalities. Suggests intervention methods.
Read about or order this book HERE
NEW - Living With Dyslexia: The social and emotional consequences of specific learning difficulties/disabilities, 2nd Edition
By Barbara Riddick, 2009. Based on interviews with dyslexic children and their families, this book presents first-hand accounts of how dyslexia affects the children themselves and the people around them. This second edition reflects current research and practice in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA. The book “examines issues of confidence and self-esteem; explores the coping strategies adopted by children and adults with dyslexia; investigates the concept of dyslexia-friendly schools; studies how children were first identified as having dyslexia, and the social and emotional difficulties they encountered; offers guidance on how teachers and parents can best support children; and considers cognitive, educational, social and emotional perspectives.”
Read about or order this book HERE
Evaluation of Action for Children’s Renfrewshire Primary Support project
The PSP was established in 2003 to provide early intervention for children experiencing multiple difficulties and viewed as vulnerable because of their personal and social functioning. The external evaluation reports that it is having a positive impact on a substantial number of vulnerable children and families.
Download the pdf document HERE
Key 2 Connect a model of supporting children, young people and their carers affected by trauma, bereavement and loss
23rd 24th and 25th November 2009 Three full days (9 am to 5 pm) Playfield Institute Cupar Fife. Participation will lead to increased confidence, knowledge and skills do participants can effectively engage and improve outcomes for children, young people and their carers. For any frontline worker supporting children in education, social work, health and the voluntary sector.
Take me to more information HERE
Community Engagement and Action around Alcohol Issues
Alcohol Focus Scotland National Community Conference. 8th December 2009 The conference addresses how changes can be made to Scotland’s relationship with alcohol through engaging local community interest and increasing partnership working. The conference is aimed at all who work in community settings where alcohol issues forms part of their remit. It is intended for a broad audience of community activists, teachers, practitioners and workers.
Take me to more information HERE
Supporting parents in developing early learning at:
The Early Learning Parenting Project was a 2 year funded project managed by the Family and Parenting Institute with the aim of putting in place family-based educational support as a protective factor in the lives of young children. The project worked through voluntary sector projects to encourage early years learning. Based in England there is interesting learning for all from this evaluation report.
Download the pdf document HERE
Poverty, inequality and human rights
People working to tackle poverty in the UK are increasingly interested in using human rights in their work. This Joseph Rowntree study looks at how this has been done in other countries, its impact on affected communities, debate, policy and government programmes, and its relevance for the UK.
Take me to more information HERE
Coping with Complexity: child and adult poverty
Mark Tomlinson and Robert Walker
This book (Feb 2009) examines the impact that poverty has on children’s lives.
It is downloadable from HERE
It is also available as a paperback HERE
Child Poverty in Scotland: Taking the next steps
This Viewpoint discusses progress made in Scotland to end child poverty, and suggests what the Scottish Government needs to do to reach the 2020 target.
Take me to this report HERE
Nothing has convinced me to stop: Young People’s Perceptions and Experiences of Persistent Offending – Young People Living in Residential Care
This report results from the project about consulting young people about persistent offending. The report explores the views and experiences of those living in residential care about how and why they persistently offend, what contributes to their offending behaviour escalating and what helps them to reduce it or indeed stop offending
Take me to this report HEREThe views and experiences of children and families involved in the Children's Hearings System in Scotland
This is the first of two summary findings of the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration’s research examining children and families’ experiences of the Children’s Hearings System (CHS) in Scotland. This summary presents the key findings of the first phase of the research – a national survey of children and families.
Take me to this report HERE
A Guide to overnight stays for children who are looked after
Two booklets have been produced to help children and young people living in foster or residential care to understand what rules and arrangements need to be followed when they go on a sleepover.
Take me to the 8 – 12 years old resource HERE
Take me to the resource re 12 years and over HERE
Statistics on exclusions from Scottish schools for the academic year 2007/08
In the last school year here were 39,717 exclusions from Scotland’s schools; a decrease on previous years.
For more go HEREEducation for learners with dyslexia
HMIE undertook a broad evaluation of provision for children, young people and adults with dyslexia in Scotland. Read it HERE
Improving the education of looked after children: A guide for local authorities and service providers
The suggestions for practice in this booklet have been written for everyone involved in being a 'corporate parent' for looked after children, young people and care leavers. Aimed at practitioners working directly with looked after children and young people, some of the advice will be useful to others in the corporate parent family involved in planning and monitoring services, providing and analysing data, and supporting employment, training and post-school education.
Take me to this report HERESECURING OUR FUTURE
Some of Scotland's most vulnerable children and young people need stronger support to help them return to their communities from secure care, according to a review of the secure care services. The report of the Securing Our Future Initiative (SOFI) was commissioned by the Scottish Government and COSLA. It concluded that there has to be more coherent planning of throughcare, to prepare young people for going back to their communities, and aftercare, to maintain the stabilisation of their lives and gain the best possible outcomes for them.
Take me to this report
EXPERIENCES OF POVERTY AND EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE
This study summarises the messages from the first eight projects in the JRF's Education and Poverty programme and looks at the experiences of children from different backgrounds and their attitudes to education.
Take me to this report
NOT SEEN. NOT HEARD. NOT GUILTY
This report published by Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People shows that an estimated 13,500 children in Scotland are affected at any one time by the imprisonment of a parent. Their rights and interests are rarely taken into account, and the problem is likely to worsen as the number of prisoners – particularly women – increases.
Take me to this report
SWEET 16? THE AGE OF LEAVING CARE IN SCOTLAND
This report by Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People examines the law, policy and practice on the age of leaving care for young people in Scotland. The Commissioner was shocked to learn that young people were still expected to leave care at 16 or 17 when they are not ready to face the challenges this presents.
Take me to this report
SUPPORTING YOUNG PARENTS: PREGNANCY AND PARENTHOOD AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE FROM CARE
This book draws on authoritative research into the reasons for and experiences of pregnancy and parenthood among young people from local authority care. It questions the assumptions that early parenthood always limits young people's choices and opportunities and examines the types of support most likely to enable successful parenting.
Take me to more about this book here
WHAT IS NEEDED TO END CHILD POVERTY IN 2020?
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, November 2008.
This Round-up focuses on key policy areas relevant to the 2020 target of eradicating UK child poverty, exploring recent progress and suggesting what is needed to meet the targets.
Take me to this report
21 YEARS OF CHILDREN'S POLICY IN SCOTLAND
Action for Children (formerly NCH) has produced this report by Professor Malcolm Hill, about 21 years of children’s policy in Scotland; identifying key trends, influences on Policy, the effects of devolution and what impact Policy actually has on service delivery.
Take me to this report
CHANGING FOR CHILDREN: SCOTTISH CHILDREN&' REPORTER ADMINISTRATION ANNUAL REPORT 2007/08
SCRA is at the centre of the Children’s Hearing System – the child protection and youth justice system for children in Scotland. This report presents information on children referred to the Reporter in the past year, presenting details of the circumstances of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Take me to this report
THESE ARE OUR BAIRNS
This guide is about being a good corporate parent. It provides guidance to Councils and their community planning partners on how to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people and care leavers, through better fulfilling their corporate parent function. It includes a section on Education Services.
Take me to this resource here