 What we've been up to
- Discussed ideas for sharing policy information with staff ahead of the new parliamentary term in September
- Finalised plans for sharing our consultation responses on our website
Care Experience
Care experienced young people produce guide on what they 'wish all adults knew'
A guide setting out what care experienced young people "wish all adults knew" has been published by the Our Hearings, Our Voice project. Developed by children and young people with lived experience of care and Children's Hearings, Seeing Beyond the Surface explores six key themes expressing what matters most from adults who have a supportive roles in children's lives.
Latest newsletter from The Promise
The Promise has published its latest newsletter, highlighting a learning story, a new mural in Stornoway, a research project on the use of physical restraint, and other resources.
Document sets out areas of research interest for The Promise
The Scottish Government has published a document setting out the priority research themes and questions identified to help support delivery and evaluation of The Promise. Among the areas identified are restrictive practices, supporting children to stay with their families and transitions to young adulthood.
Early Learning and Childcare
Early Years Scotland Awards finalists announced
The finalists for the first Early Years Scotland Awards have been confirmed ahead of the event in Glasgow on 15 August. Finalists have been chosen across eight awards categories.
Call for heatwave support for early years settings (England)
More support and guidance is required around the safe operation of early years settings during heatwaves, according to the Early Years Alliance. With reports that heatwaves are becoming more common as the climate changes, the membership body is calling for new guidance and investment in resources and equipment to help ensure services and operate safely during hotter temperatures.
Equalities and Human Rights
Children's Commissioner calls for stronger legal protections for children in Scotland
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland has called on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make changes to the Scotland Act 1998 so that protections within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act can be used consistently for Scotland's children. Commissioner Nicola Killean said her office has used the legislation to hold public bodies to account but pointed out that the protections do not apply when bodies are acting under laws passed by the UK Parliament, calling for the Scotland Act to be amended to address this.
Health
First Infection Prevention and Control Strategy published
The Scottish Government has published its first national Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Strategy for Scotland, setting out a 10-year vision to reduce preventable infections across health and social care settings. The Strategy will apply to all settings where health and social care is provided and includes eight priority statements, recognising that IPC needs to be person-led and rights-based.
Mental Health
Royal College calls for inquiry into impact of integration on mental health services
The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland has published a report highlighting "serious concerns" about the impact of health and social care integration on mental health services, calling for an inquiry in the new parliamentary session. The Royal College said the complex and "fragmented" arrangements of integration have undermined delivery of mental health care across Scotland, including child and adolescent mental health services.
Play
Playday - Wednesday 5 August
Wednesday 5 August is national Playday 2026, with this year's theme the importance of creating opportunities for children to play wherever they are. Play Scotland is calling for all children to have access to: playful moments; everyday adventures; play around their neighbourhood; and inclusive and welcoming environments.
Workforce
Scottish Government to pay PVG application fees for social care workers
The Scottish Government is to pay the cost of Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme applications for eligible social care workers. The fee waiver will apply to eligible applications received by Disclosure Scotland between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027.
Other Health and Social Care
Survey on use of digital social care self-evaluation toolkit
The Care Inspectorate has launched a short survey on its digital social care self-evaluation toolkit. We are looking to understand what has happened since the toolkit was launched last year, including how it has been used and how helpful it has been.
Latest Care Inspectorate Statistical Summary Report
The Care Inspectorate Statistical Summary Report for Quarter 1 of 2026/27 has been released. The document presents data on the number of registered care services, new registrations and cancellations, complaints about care services, enforcements and quality theme grades, all by care service type and or service sector.
ALLIANCE highlights survey on digital violence against young women and girls
The Health and Social Care Alliance (the ALLIANCE) has highlighted the launch of the Status of Young Women in Scotland research survey. The survey is asking young women to share their views and experiences of digital violence and its impact, noting that digital violence refers to harmful behaviours that take place online or through technology and it is not separate from violence in the physical world. The survey is open to young women, trans women and non-binary people aged 16–30 who currently live in Scotland.
|
