Thank you for joining us at the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care (SIRCC) Conference. Anne Wilson and Sarah Nelson, who are the Care Experienced Children and Young People’s Service team at Children’s Health Scotland, would like to tell you more about the work we do to support care experienced children and young people.
- Anne Wilson, Head of CECYPS: Call 07485 462435 or email: anne.wilson@childrenshealthscotland.org
- Sarah Nelson, Assistant, CECYPS: Call 07485 462434 or email: sarah.nelson@childrenshealthscotland.org
1. ‘A Two-Year old goes to hospital’
This short film explains the origins of Children’s Health Scotland and the research that was done in the 1950’s to explain the emotional impact on children left in hospital for long periods of time without the support of parents and carers.
2. Healthcare Rights Service video
All children and young people have rights, as stated in the EACH Charter and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The video below gives an introduction to the work we do with children and young people to help them become Health Rights Aware.
3. Learn about Health Rights with our free, online resource
We have produced a free e-learning resource has been produced by Children’s Health Scotland that promotes a greater understanding of the healthcare rights and needs of children and young people (CYP) and their families.
To access the FREE course CLICK HERE.
4. Self-Management Services trailer
Children’s Health Scotland offers an online self-management programme (SMS:CONNECT) for children and young people living with health conditions, particularly those living with long-term health-conditions. The trailer below provides information and features young people who have taken part in the programme.
5. Our Care Experienced Children and Young People’s Service
How does Children’s Health Scotland supports care experienced people?
Our Care Experienced Children and Young People’s Service (CECYPS) offers health and wellbeing services that support Foster and Kinship Carers, including training workshops, mini taster sessions, information and 1:1 support. You can learn more about our CECYPS by reading our leaflet. 
We know that the health and wellbeing of many children and young people in Foster Care or Kinship Care may not be as good as that of their peers. Adverse childhood events and trauma experienced in their early lives have left many with emotional health and wellbeing needs which require specific help.
“We would like to thank you massively for the help and support that you have given our whole family over the past year. We can never thank you enough for all you have done.” – Family of child with heart condition
6. Let’s appreciate the KINDNESS of Foster and Kinship Carers
During Scottish Children’s Health Week 2022, the Care-Experienced Service decided to make a video with Foster Carers talking about the value of Foster Care support groups.
Kindness is a huge part of our Care Experienced Children and Young People Service. We recorded a discussion with two foster carers who run support groups in their area. Foster and Kinship carers are often overlooked groups, so we wanted to give them a chance to speak about their experiences, especially regarding peer support in their groups. You can watch this discussion below.
7. Magazine article about how we help Foster and Kinship carers
We offer a range of workshops free of charge based on topics often requested by carers themselves. These workshops are offered through local authority social work departments, third sector organisations (e.g., Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland (KCASS) or the Fostering Network) or can be requested through support groups.
The topics covered in our interactive four-hour workshops include:
- Managing the Healthcare Needs and Rights of Children in Care
- Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
- Consent and Confidentiality
- Play Techniques
- Getting it Right for Care Experienced Disabled Children
- Loss and Change
- Adolescence Matters
- Calming Techniques
Pages 6 and 7 of our Winter 2021 magazine contains and article with plenty of information on every workshop we deliver and how they can help you.
8. CECYPS Workshops until the end of 2022
Today we would like to let you know of our many upcoming workshops planned until the end of this year. If you want information on joining any of these workshops, please email sarah.nelson@childrenshealthscotland.org.
2nd November – ‘Understanding Trauma’, Online, with The Fostering Network
3rd November – ‘Calming techniques’ Online and in Fife, for Foster Carers
9th November – ‘Calming techniques’ Online, with The Fostering Network
11th November – ‘Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Part 2’, face to face for Kinship Carers in Bellshill
15th November – ‘Loss and Change’, Online, for Kinship Carers, with KCASS
17th November – ‘Trauma’, face to face, for Kinship Carers, in Falkirk
1st December – ‘Loss and Change Part 1’, face to face, for Kinship Carers in Cumbernauld
6th December – ‘Adolescence Matters’, Online, for Kinship Carers, with KCASS
15th December – ‘Xmas Activities’, face to face, for Kinship Carers in Falkirk
9. ‘Health Matters’ and ‘Understanding Trauma’ PowerPoints
You can veiw the PowerPoint slides for two or our workshops below:
Health Matters PowerPoint slides
Trauma Matters PowerPoint slides
10. Our webinars, in partnership with the Kinship Care Advice Service
Children’s Health Scotland’s Care Experienced Service shares a close relationships with the Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland (KCASS). You can view our ‘Calming Techniques’ webinar and ‘Understanding Trauma’ webinar by visiting the KCASS website and KCASS Youtube channel. Many carers find this session very valuable, so we wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to watch.
11. Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Professional Learning Resource for All School Staff
This resource takes a whole school approach centred around prevention and early intervention to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for everyone in the school community. It aims to provide school staff with knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing in schools and a range of opportunities to learn about experiences and advice from practitioners and young people.
To access this free, online resource, CLICK HERE.
