A new book examined the lives of young people aged 16-18 growing up in socially deprived urban areas of Glasgow in Scotland. Many had became disenfranchised by educational failure, unemployment, and poverty: but there were also young people who had overcome great challenges. Many resisted, or moved quickly out of, gangs – especially when there were attractive alternatives to engage them and offer them opportunities to build social capital in legitimate fields such as sport and civic participation.
Source: Ross Deuchar, Gangs, Marginalised Youth and Social Capital, Trentham Books (01782 745567)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Nov
The Scottish Government published an action plan on children's rights, designed to take forward the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on children's rights in the United Kingdom (published in 2008). Action was promised in the areas of: improving the participation of children and young people in how their schools were organized and run; promoting positive parenting by working with local partners; improving support for young carers and children with disabilities; and improving outcomes for looked-after children.
Source: Do the Right Thing: For people who work with children or work on their behalf, Scottish Government (0131 556 8400) | Do the Right Thing: A report for under 18s on Scottish Government priorities in response to the UK Concluding Observations 2008, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Action plan | Response to UN | SG press release
Date: 2009-Sep
A report by a committee of MSPs said that there was 'disturbing evidence' that children under 5 were not being monitored for mental well-being by statutory services. It expressed 'deep concern' at the lack of progress in several areas of the national framework on child and adolescent mental health.
Source: Inquiry Into Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being, 7th Report 2009, SP Paper 309, Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report said that approximately 21 per cent of children in Scotland were living in poverty. Despite progress over the previous decade in reducing child poverty – reductions were greater in Scotland than in other parts of the United Kingdom – levels had remained stable since 2004-05 and were fairly similar to the rest of the UK.
Source: Stephen Sinclair and John McKendrick, Child Poverty in Scotland: Taking the next steps, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Links: Report | JRF press release | Community Care report | Guardian report | New Start report
Date: 2009-May
A report by a committee of MSPs said that the Scottish and United Kingdom governments needed to work together to tackle child poverty. Collaborative efforts to improve issues such as access to affordable childcare, flexible working, and benefits take-up would help to lift children out of poverty. It also called for Scottish Government policies to be assessed for their impact on poverty.
Source: Report on Child Poverty in Scotland, 10th Report 2009, SP Paper 267, Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-May
The Scottish Government published a set of principles underlying its approach (and that of other public agencies) to supporting support young people to achieve their potential.
Source: Valuing Young People: Principles and connections to support young people achieve their potential, Scottish Government (0131 556 8400)
Links: Principles | Reference paper | SG press release
Date: 2009-Apr
A report evaluated a fund in Scotland designed to invest in initiatives to improve the employability of disadvantaged parents facing barriers, particularly childcare barriers, to participating in the labour market. The fund was found to have been effective in moving a substantial number of disadvantaged parents into or towards work, education, or training.
Source: Ronald McQuaid et al., Evaluation of the Working for Families Fund (2004-2008), Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Apr
The prisons inspectorate for Scotland examined conditions for young offenders held in adult establishments. Those for young men were good: but young women were held alongside adult female offenders, with facilities and food that were poor.
Source: Report on Young Offenders in Adult Establishments, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland/Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report | SG press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Mar
A report used data from the Growing Up in Scotland study to explore families' experiences of living in Scotland's neighbourhoods. Areas of higher deprivation suffered from a lack of childcare, and health and leisure facilities. Local health and education services were rated highest by parents, whereas facilities for children and young people were rated lowest.
Source: Paul Bradshaw, Clare Sharp, Catriona Webster and Lynn Jamieson, Growing Up in Scotland: Parenting and the Neighbourhood Context Report, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2009-Mar
The watchdog in Scotland for the rights of children and young people said that vulnerable children leaving the care system in Scotland experienced inadequate support, despite new procedures put in place by local authorities.
Source: Sweet 16? One Year On – Is life any sweeter?, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People (0131 558 3733) Links: Report | SCCYP press release
Date: 2009-Mar
A report used data from the first three waves of the Growing Up in Scotland study to explore families' experiences of using childcare for children under the age of 5. Use of multiple providers over time was fairly common. Children's experience of non-parental childcare in the early years appeared to be generally beneficial to their cognitive development.
Source: Paul Bradshaw and Fran Wasoff, Growing Up in Scotland: Multiple Childcare Provision and its Effect on Child Outcomes, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2009-Mar
Two reports were published from a longitudinal study following a national sample of Scotland's children from infancy through to their teens. The first examined issues relating to food and activity: it was found that children in the lowest income group and those living in deprived areas were much less likely to eat four or more types of fruit and vegetables per day, and more likely to eat sugary snacks and drinks, than were children from affluent backgrounds. The second examined non-resident parenthood: it was found that step-families' household incomes, though higher than those of lone-parent families, were lower on average than couple families consisting of both natural parents.
Source: Louise Marryat, Valeria Skafida and Catriona Webster, Growing Up In Scotland: Sweep 3 Food and Activity Report, Scottish Government (web publication only) | Louise Marryat, Susan Reid and Fran Wasoff, Growing Up In Scotland: Sweep 3 Non-resident Parent Report, Scottish Government
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | SG press release
Date: 2009-Jan
