children

Violent and aggressive children. Caring for those who care

The topic of domestic violence is an emotive one conjuring visions of child abuse by parents or carers, or marital violence, in general abuse by men of their wives or partners. According to published police statistics in Scotland for the years of 2012 – 13 male violence of women accounted for 80% of all domestic abuse, and in 2014 over 2,600 children in Scotland were identified as needing protection from abuse. This is particularly concerning since the NSPCC suggests that, for every child who has been identified, there are 8 other children who are at risk but who are ‘under the radar’.

Retelling the past using new technologies: a case Study into the digitization of social work heritage material and the creation of a virtual exhibition

Article explains the rationale for the digitization of social work heritage material and the virtualization of an archived nondigital museum exhibit constructed by a Scottish Museum of Social Work.

The project involved the “virtualization” of an existing social work museum exhibition on the migration of “Home Children” from Scotland to Canada in the late 19th and early 20th century and the digital preservation of historical assets (both text and images) held by the contemporary social care organization involved in the migration of the children.

Supporting positive relationships for children and young people who have experience of care (IRISS Insight, No28)

Review that explores the growing emphasis being placed on the relationships of children and young people in care. It examines: the nature and type of these relationships; what indicators are used to define quality; why relationships are beneficial; what barriers there are to their formation; what initiatives have been designed to support relationships; and what evidence there is about their impact.

This Insight was written by Karen Winter (Queen's University Belfast).

Social justice begins with babies

The first annual report of Scotland’s coalition supporting Putting the Baby IN the Bath Water
Putting the Baby IN the Bath Water is coalition of 98 organisations and individuals focused exclusively on two issues:

  1. the primary prevention of harm (i.e. keeping bad things from happening in the first place);
  2. the first 1,001 days of life (from pre-birth to preschool).

The coalition was a significant influence on the content of the Children and Young People Act 2014. This report outlines its impact on the Act and what it has achieved since.

Trauma sensitive practice with children in care (IRISS Insights, No 27)

Evidence review that is intended to summarise the evidence in this challenging area of work and to support practitioners to reflect on their practice in this context. An enhanced understanding of trauma can enable practitioners and managers, from all the agencies working with children in care, to improve their practice with severely distressed children and to reduce the negative impact of trauma not only on children but also on the adults caring for them.

Growing up in Scotland: family and school influences on children's social and emotional well-being

Document that presents key findings from a project that investigated family and school influences on children's social and emotional well-being.

The project explored possible influences on children's behavioural and emotional difficulties, and on their subjective well-being. It used data collected from mothers and children in the first birth cohort of the Growing Up in Scotland study, interviewed in 2012/13 when the child was seven years old. Mothers were asked about the child's behavioural and emotional problems, and children were asked about their life satisfaction.

On the outside: identifying and supporting children with a parent in prison

In this report, Barnardo's is asking for children to be identified when a parent is sentenced to prison so that they can receive the practical and emotional support they need as soon as possible. The organisation is calling on the Ministry of Justice to appoint a Minister to look after the needs of children afffected by parental imprisonment and to deliver a National Action Plan to ensure that this large and vulnerable group of children are recognised.

Social justice, the Common Weal and children and young people in Scotland

Paper that considers how the Common Weal can connect to children and young people's concepts of social justice. It considers children and young people's experiences, in light of the Christie Commission's call for public service provision to confront inequalities.

The paper poses questions about the extent to which children and young people will be involved in, and be able to define, the Common Weal.