The CLD Standards Council is a member of Children in Scotland. Catherine Bromley, their Senior Communications Officer, has written a blog for us, outlining Children in Scotland’s role and how members of the CLDSC can benefit from membership.
Giving all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish is at the heart of everything Children in Scotland does.
By bringing together a network of people working with and for children, alongside children and young people themselves, we offer a broad, balanced and independent voice. We create solutions, provide support and develop positive change across all areas affecting children in Scotland.
Without doubt, the COVID-19 crisis has deepened inequalities, delayed or halted services, diverted resources and compounded pressures on families across Scotland. But it has also created opportunities. We’ve seen how the third sector has mobilised, using its knowledge and expertise to work with statutory bodies and help shape local services. We’ve seen the value of networks really come to the fore and the difference that working together can make to communities.
As a member of Children in Scotland, you’re connected to thousands of professionals from across the children’s sector, across healthcare and community support services, education and the arts.
The forums and groups that we coordinate to meet regularly bring together knowledge and expertise to identify solutions and put them into practice. For example, the most recent meeting of our Children’s Sector Strategic & Policy Forum was attended by Deputy First Minister John Swinney. Under discussion was policy development on child poverty, a Scottish Budget focused on National Performance Framework outcomes, family support, mental health and child rights in education. The forum also focussed on the progress made on UNCRC incorporation, the publication of the Bill and what it will mean for children in Scotland to have their rights enshrined in Scots law.
Our members have access to some of the best training opportunities the sector has to offer. Now adapted to a comprehensive online learning programme that includes a number of free webinars, we deliver CPD where it matters most. But we also focus on self-care for practitioners as we know that the people who support children and young people need to look after themselves too.
Our Children in Scotland Magazine and our Members’ News provide essential reading for the sector. The magazine offers news, features and opinion as well as content updating you on the latest policies, projects and good practice, while the fortnightly Members’ News delivers exclusive insight from our staff and our members to share learning and forge connections.
Our Parliamentary Monitor keeps track of activities at Holyrood and Westminster to keep you informed of the latest policy developments relevant to children and families in Scotland, across the UK, and in Europe.
And our legal helpline with our partners at Gillespie Macandrew offers Children in Scotland members legal advice and guidance in free 30 minute consultations.
All of these benefits and services are available to our members through our Members’ Hub. Our website and social channels update on current projects and our participation work with children and young people.
For more information about our work in the last financial year, our Achievement Report for 2019-20 (PDF) includes detail on the projects and partnerships made possible by the knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment of all of our members.
Thank you for supporting Children in Scotland, and if you have any queries regarding membership or any of your benefits, please get in touch.
Catherine Bromley
Cbromley@childreninscotland.org
Senior Communications Officer
Children in Scotland
CLDSC Members can access Children in Scotland resources through their membership. Once you have identified an opportunity you can contact us at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk for details.