We regularly respond to consultations, reports, and discussion papers from the the Scottish Government, regulators and other relevant organisations involved with the health and wellbeing of children and young people. As the leading children’s healthcare charity in Scotland, our informed responses are based on the experiences of children and young people with health conditions and their families and carers.
2022 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
The listening phase of the Scottish Government National Discussion on Education took place between 21 September 21 and 5 December 5 and Children’s Health Scotland took advantage of the unprecedented opportunity for children and young people, parents and carers and educators to give their views about what the education system should look like for the next 20 years. CLICK HERE to find out more.
Children’s Health Scotland submitted a response to the Scottish Government National Care Service Consultation which sets out their proposals to improve the way Scotland delivers social care, following the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care. CLICK HERE to find out more.
We submitted our response to the call of the Scottish Government on what the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland should look like. We responded to series of questions, and hope our answers will help inform the final Strategy that will guide the work that the Government, and partners, will do to improve mental health and wellbeing in Scotland. This will include an overall shared vision, a set of outcomes, and how these will be achieved to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. CLICK HERE to find out more
Together revealed the results of their 2022 State of Children’s Rights Report for 2022 on 2 March. Children’s Health Scotland contributed to the survey in Summer 2021 and again more recently as Together used our award-winning Self-Management Programme as a case study of inclusive communication. CLICK HERE to read the report.
On 1 November 2021, the Scottish Government published a consultation seeking views on the newly drafted guidance for Assessment of Wellbeing. We responded to the consultation which closed on 4 February 2022 and a total of 121 responses were submitted. CLICK HERE to find out more.
On the 1st of July 2022, Children’s Health Scotland was one of 125 representatives from across Scotland’s third-sector that united in their condemnation of the UK Government’s Rights Removal Bill.
2021 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
Children’s Health Scotland submitted a response to the inquiry undertaken by The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee into the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland. The inquiry aims to address key issues affecting the health and wellbeing of children and young people including:
- Child poverty (including the Scottish Government’s current child poverty delivery plan), inequality and adverse childhood experiences
- Issues affecting care experienced young people;
- Mental health, access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the importance of early intervention; and
- Health and wellbeing in school
We are very proud to have been part of the team who developed the new online Professional Learning Resource for school staff on behalf of the Scottish Government. This resource reflects the Government’s commitment in their 2020 Programme for Government to develop and strengthen mental health resources available to schools.
One in four of Scotland’s 5-year-olds suffer from tooth decay and the British Dental Association in Scotland (BDA Scotland) is calling for fluoridation of the water supply to improve the dental health of children and prevent root caries. It is an initiative that Children’s Health Scotland believes to be long overdue and one that will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children and young people. CLICK HERE to read more.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Incorporation Bill passed Stage 2 on 11 February 2021. Children’s Health Scotland was one of over 40 organisations and academics who worked with Together, the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights, to provide a briefing for MSPs and we are delighted that many of the amendments highlighted in this briefing have been agreed.
We submitted a response to the call for views on the Disable CYP Transition to Adulthood Scotland Bill. Children’s Health Scotland broadly agreed with the aims and objectives of the Bill though considered it unlikely that these aims will be met without other actions being taken. We are aware that there is currently a big gap for disabled CYP once school finishes and ensuring clear transition plans would certainly help to allow those children to achieve their full potential. CLICK HERE to find out more.
2020 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
Children’s Health Scotland welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2020. The Consultation has asked for views on updated National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, which will replace the current National Guidance published in 2014.
Whilst carrying out our work in local communities Children’s Health Scotland became aware that some refugee and asylum-seeking families were reluctant to use health services. Navigating the complexities of new systems, language, and its unspoken expectations were impacting their health. In contrast Syrian refugees received significant support as part of the UK Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS). To investigate this further, Children’s Health Scotland carried out research to put together a picture of local support and information services which could empower all families, children and young people to exercise their right to the best possible health when problems or barriers are encountered, and for us to be able to signpost help appropriately. CLICK HERE to read more
2019 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
The latest Children in Hospital Survey 2018-19 which takes an in depth look at the provision of parental visiting, family facilities and ward procedures in Scottish hospitals that admit children and young people has been released by Children’s Health Scotland. CLICK HERE to view the Children in Hospital Survey 2018-19
2018 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
2017 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
2016 Consultations, reports and discussion papers
A snippet of our historic consultation, reports and discussion papers
Improving Advocacy for Children and Young People: Principles and Minimum Standards – discussion paper
Submitted in 2013.
Children & Young People’s Services Bill
Submitted in October 2012.
Improving Children and Young People’s Advocacy
Submitted in February 2012.
Review of Unified Voluntary Sector Fund and CLD HQ Funds
Submitted in February 2012.
Children & Young People’s Rights
Submitted in December 2011.
Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 – Consultation on Secondary Legislation
More information.
Vulnerable Families Pathway Project 2010
General Medical Council: Tomorrow’s Doctors 2009
National Delivery Plan for Specialist Children’s Services 2008
The Scottish Government consulted children, young people, families, professionals and key partners to gather views on its content and recommendations.
Patients’ Rights: A Public Consultation on a Patients’ Rights Bill for users of the NHS in Scotland
We formed part of the national steering group for the development of a new national template for the patient held child health record which was launched in May 2009.
Now NHS Inform – Information for young people using NHS services
We worked closely with Health Rights Information Scotland 2008/2010 on the development of their booklet, which aims to help children and young people in Scotland have more say about their healthcare and treatment. ‘Have your say!’ encourages them to let the NHS know how they’re being treated. It also explains how to make a complaint about the NHS if they feel they have been treated unfairly.
The booklet makes it clear that NHS staff have a duty to take the needs of children and young people seriously, whether they are making a suggestion or a complaint. It explains:
- what the rights of young people are
- who to speak to if they have a suggestion or complaint
- how the NHS deals with complaints, and
- who can help them have their say.
We have commented on many draft SIGN publications, including their leaflets on Autism Spectrum disorders for parents and for young people. More recently, we have facilitated the involvement of Kinship Carers in the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Care Pathway development.
Children’s Health Scotland has recently worked in partnership with the following to represent the views and needs of sick children, young people and families:
- Angus Third Sector Children’s Services Forum
- Barnardo’s
- Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland
- Childsmile
- Dundee Young Parents Pathway Group
- Health and Social Care Alliance, GIRFEC Project Advisory Group
- End of Life Care for Children and Young People in Scotland Group
- Drumchapel Early Years Forum
- Family Fund
- for Scotland’s Disabled Children
- Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice
- Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health of Young People with Long Term Conditions Steering Group
- National Association of Health Play Staff
- NHS Education Scotland
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Patient Experience & Public Involvement, Health Improvement Team
- Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow – FILES Committee; The Rights of the Child Group; Family Support Service, Glasgow Children’s Charity
- Scottish Children and Young People’s Palliative Care Executive
- Scottish Children and Young People’s Palliative Care Network
- National Managed Clinical Network for Children with Exceptional Healthcare Needs (CEN) – Steering Group and Education Group
- NHS Tayside: Transforming Health Visiting & School Nursing Tayside Improvement Group; AHP Complex Needs Network
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Scottish Attachment in Action
- Scottish Children’s Services Coalition members
- Scottish Government Children and Young People’s Health Support Group
- Scottish Government Administration of Medicines and Healthcare Support in Schools Guidance Review Group
- Scottish Government Paediatric Short Life Working Group into the Review of the ‘Food in Hospitals (Scotland) 2008
- Scottish Health Play Specialist Network Group
- Scottish Transition Forum, ARC – transition standards for young people
- Scottish Epilepsy Centre
- Strategic Litigation Steering Group
- Strategic Paediatric Educationalists and Nurses in Scotland (SPENS)
- Tayside GIRFEC Practitioners Forum
- The Fostering Network
We also worked closely with Angus, Clackmannanshire Fife, East Lothian, Dundee City, Edinburgh City, Falkirk, Midlothian, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, West Lothian, Local Authorities. NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Dental Services; NHS Lothian Paediatric Psychology & Liaison Service.
