At Children’s Health Scotland, we recently invited kinship families from our Family Participation Group to share their views on the Scottish Government’s consultation on the National Vision for Kinship Care in Scotland. We were deeply grateful that 28 kinship families took part. Their reflections — honest, thoughtful, and rooted in lived experience — offer a […]
kinship care
Expanding Support: National Online Training for Foster and Kinship Carers
We’re delighted that our free, rights‑based and trauma‑informed workshops for foster and kinship carers continue to be so well‑received across Scotland. Thanks to strong partnership working with local authorities and other organisations, all available places for our 2026 programmes have now been fully allocated.
Rights, Resilience and Real-Life Stories — our Autumn/Winter 2025 Magazine
Across Scotland, children and young people are discovering their health rights — and this season’s magazine from Children’s Health Scotland is a celebration of what happens when those rights are recognised, respected, and realised.
Celebrating Rights and Raising Voices – Care Experienced Week 2025
The rights and voices of care experienced children are the focus of this year’s Care Experienced Week – a powerful celebration of identity, resilience, and empowerment. Running from 25 October to 1 November, the week honours children, young people, and adults who have experience of care – whether through foster care, kinship care, residential settings, […]
Bear’s OUTTA THIS WORLD Adventure at Dynamic Earth
During the October School Holidays, Kinship Care families from across Scotland joined us for a truly intergalactic experience at Dynamic Earth — and what a cosmic adventure it was!
🧸 #BeCalm Wednesday: Bear’s Big SMS Adventure Days – A Celebration of Play, Family, and Rights
As part of Scottish Children’s Health Week, we’re celebrating #BeCalm Wednesday by reflecting on the joy, connection, and empowerment found in our Bear’s Big Self-Management Skills (SMS) Adventure Days. This year, we’ve hosted three incredible picnics—each one a unique celebration of play, family togetherness, and the health rights of children. 🌳 Why Play Matters – Especially Together Play isn’t […]
Two-thirds of Kinship Carers left without formal support: new Census Data reveals stark reality for Scotland’s hidden families
The newly published Kinship Care Statistics from Scotland’s Census 2022 reveal a troubling truth: of the estimated 12,800 children living in kinship care across Scotland, two-thirds are in informal arrangements—meaning they are cared for by relatives or close family friends without formal recognition or support from the state.
🐻 Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic for kinship care families at Stirling Castle! 🏰
What do you get when you mix dragon eggs, parachutes, knight poses, and a whole lot of love? Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic at Stirling Castle – a magical day for kinship care families from across Scotland!
Third progress report for The Promise
The Promise Oversight Board has published the third of its progress reports, looking at whole family support and workforce. ‘Report THREE’ has found that unexpected events and systematic barriers have delayed implementation. In particular issues impacting the workforce and whole family support have meant the promise is not halfway to being kept by 2030.
Research highlights the need for increased support for Scotland’s kinship families
For the first time, a body of data about Scotland’s children and young people with experience of care has been brought together to better understand the picture of kinship care in Scotland. The information is in the report – Growing Up in Kinship Care – published in October by CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for […]
