Research into youth transitions in Scotland found that few young people left school with clear ideas about how they could manage their transition to work effectively. Young people who lacked qualifications and skills often had difficulties in establishing themselves in the labour market and became vulnerable to repeated and extended periods of unemployment. Other factors linked to vulnerability included low social class, a paternal history of unemployment and residence in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Family knowledge and connections were central to the effective management of transitions.
Source: Andy Furlong, Fred Cartmel, Andy Biggart, Helen Sweeting and Patrick West, Youth Transitions: Patterns of vulnerability and processes of social inclusion, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Summary
Date: 2003-Oct
A study concluded that the direct and indirect benefits of the 'sitter service' in Scotland to users, their families and their communities far outweighed the costs of the service: but further developments to meet demand were hindered by the lack of guaranteed funding. (The service offered home-based childcare from early morning to late evening, seven days a week, to parents during atypical hours or as respite care.)
Source: Valerie Wilson, Stuart Hall, Nicola Rankin, Julia Davidson and Dominic Schad, The Sitter Service in Scotland: Study of the costs and benefits, Insight 9, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2003-Oct
A study examined the aspirations of young disabled people in Scotland for housing, and their actual experiences. Young disabled people had similar aspirations to their non-disabled peers. Most wanted to leave the parental home and most did not regard their first house as a home for life. They expected eventually to form a new household with a partner and/or children and to seek suitable housing.
Source: Jo Dean, Unaddressed: Housing aspirations of young disabled people in Scotland, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 973
Date: 2003-Sep
The Scottish Executive responded to a report by a committee of MSPs on child poverty. It said the suggestion that the figures for relative child poverty grew in 2000-01 was not statistically robust.
Source: Executive's Response to the Recommendations in the Finance Committee's Report on its Cross-Cutting Expenditure Review of Child Poverty, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Response | MSP report
Date: 2003-Sep
The Scottish Executive published a discussion paper on possible reform to fostering and adoption law.
Source: Alexandra Plumtree, Choices for Children in Fostering and Adoption: Discussion paper on legal issues, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report | SE press release
Date: 2003-Sep
The Scottish Executive published draft guidance proposing improved services for young people leaving care, including improved assessments of young people s needs; closer involvement of young people in the throughcare and aftercare process; and strengthened follow-up contact.
Source: Supporting Young People Leaving Care in Scotland, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2003-Jul
The Scottish Executive published a consultation document on measures (similar to those in England) to combat anti-social behaviour, ahead of promised legislation. Proposals included extending anti-social behaviour orders to children aged 12-15; 'focused, visible' community reparation orders; parenting orders requiring parents to act in the best interests of their children; and extending the availability of electronic tagging of children. A children's charity attacked the proposals for failing to tackle the root causes of the problem.
Source: Putting our Communities First: Strategy for tackling anti-social behaviour, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566) | Press release 26.6.03, Abelour Child Care Trust (0131 669 5190)
Links: Consultation document | SE press release | Aberlour Child Care Trust response
Date: 2003-Jun
A committee of MSPs highlighted a number of concerns about the way in which the eradication of child poverty was targeted by Scottish Executive funding.
Source: Report on Cross-Cutting Expenditure in Relation to Children in Poverty, 2nd Report 2003, SP Paper 4, Scottish Parliament Finance Committee, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report | SP press release
Date: 2003-Jun
A research review examined evidence on the development of children from birth to three years old, and considered the detailed implications for the provision of care outside the home.
Source: Christine Stephen, Aline-Wendy Dunlop and Colwyn Trevarthen, Meeting the Needs of Children from Birth to Three: Research evidence and implications for out-of-home provision, Insight 6, Scottish Executive (0131 244 0092)
Links: Report
Date: 2003-Jun
A Bill was published in Scotland to bring free school meal entitlement in line with changes to the United Kingdom benefits system. The Bill would ensure that the children of families on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance who moved on to the new child tax credit would continue to be entitled to free school meals. The changes would also extend free school meal entitlement for the first time to children of student parents, and parents or carers with savings over 8,000 but on low income.
Source: Education (School Meals) (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Text of Bill (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2003-May
Details were published of an Anti-social Behaviour Bill in Scotland. Key measures included provision for: an extension of anti-social behaviour orders to children under 16; parenting orders for use where parents 'refuse to take their responsibilities seriously'; a ban on the sale of spray paint to children under 16; and tagging for children under 16.
Source: Press release 28.5.03, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Press release
Date: 2003-May
The Scottish Executive outlined an action plan in response to an official report on the mental health needs of children and young people. The report recommended improving service provision through a focus on the rights of young people, and on prevention and early detection.
Source: Needs Assessment Report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Public Health Institute of Scotland (0141 300 1010) | Press release 28.3.03, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2003-Mar
A children's charity reported on the condition of children in Scotland. It highlighted an 'alarming' increase in the number of babies born to drug-using mothers, and an increase in alcohol abuse and obesity among children. Once housing costs were taken into account, 30 per cent of children in Scotland were estimated to be living in poverty in 2000-01.
Source: Factfile Scotland 2003, NCH Scotland (0141 332 4041)
Links: Press release
Date: 2003-Mar
A report was published of initiatives designed to help young people's transition to post-school learning and work in Scotland. It was compiled in response to the Beattie Committee, established to promote the post-school participation and attainment of disadvantaged young people in learning.
Source: Inclusiveness - Being Implemented, Potential - Being Realised: Beattie National Action Group progress report and future priorities, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Press release
Date: 2003-Mar
The Scottish Executive began consultation on a framework for the effective provision of universal and targeted services for children and their families from before birth to age 5.
Source: Integrated Strategy for the Early Years: Consultation, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Consultation document
Date: 2003-Mar
A Scottish study found that investment in childcare is a valuable tool for economic development in terms of job creation in the childcare sector, as well as enabling parents, principally mothers, to return to paid work.
Source: Gillian Davidson and Anne Marie Barry, Assessment of Benefits and Costs of Out of School Care, Insight 5, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2003-Mar
The Scottish Parliament passed a Bill to create a list of adults who are regarded as 'unsuitable' to work with children. The Bill places a duty upon employers and the courts to refer people for inclusion on the list if they have harmed children or put children at risk of harm.
Source: Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Text of Act | Press release
Date: 2003-Feb
