New figures show that 43% of pupils in Scottish schools – nearly 300,000 children – now have an Additional Support Need (ASN), the highest proportion ever recorded. This includes children with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, and family-related challenges.
Self-Management Skills
Children’s Health Scotland responds to State of the Nation Report: Making children’s health and rights a reality
The Scottish Human Rights Commission’s State of the Nation 2025 warns that essential human rights—including the right to health—remain out of reach for many people in Scotland. The report highlights ten areas of urgent concern, including barriers to healthcare, food insecurity, housing challenges, and inadequate support for disabled people and families.
Breaking Barriers: How Our SMS Programme Helps Children Reconnect with School
“I didn’t want to go back to school. It felt too hard.” These words, shared by a child during a recent Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programme, reflect the reality for many young people whose health challenges make school feel overwhelming.
Defying Gravity with Wicked the Musical: A Wellbeing Journey to Oz
Our latest SMS:HUB was pure magic! Children and young people with health conditions joined us online for a wellbeing session inspired by Wicked the Musical, led by the amazing Active Learning Team from Wicked. It wasn’t just about fun—it was about building skills that help us manage our health and wellbeing every day. From the […]
Scotland’s first proposal for the Children’s Rights Scheme: Making Rights Real for Every Child
The Scottish Government has published its first Proposal for the Children’s Rights Scheme under the UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Act 2024, marking a historic milestone in embedding children’s rights into law. Public authorities now have a legal duty to act compatibly with the UNCRC when delivering relevant functions, creating a proactive culture of accountability for children’s […]
A Spellbinding SMS:HUB with Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter
On Thursday 30 October, children and young people from across Scotland—stretching from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders—gathered online for a truly magical SMS:HUB session with Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.
SMS:FACE TO FACE is back – Refer now for February 2026
We’re thrilled to announce that SMS:FACE-TO-FACE is returning on Saturday 21 February 2026 – and referrals are now open! This six-week programme runs every Saturday until 28 March 2026 as follows:
Celebrating the Success of SMS Programmes
For children and young people living with a health condition, life can sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating. That’s why our Self-Management Service (SMS) Programmes are so important. Today, we are celebrating SMS programmes and the positive difference they continue to make in the lives of children and families. Since 2009, they have been helping children […]
Award Winning In-Person Self Management Skills (SMS) Programmes return to Edinburgh for children and young people aged 9-17 with health conditions
Our award winning Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes are back in 2025 with our first in-person ones of the year returning to Edinburgh this month. Our SMS Programmes are for children and young people aged 9-17 living with a health condition or concern – no formal diagnosis is required.
Tickets Now Available for Professional Taster Session on SMS Programmes
Children’s Health Scotland is hosting an online taster session for professionals throughout Scotland who wish to refer to our award-winning Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes. Tickets are available on EventBrite.
