Current Activities

Getting the balance right?
CHILDREN 1^ST, in partnership with ChildLine Scotland, published a report titled ‘Getting the balance right?’ that highlights key questions that must be answered if vulnerable children are to be kept safe in Scotland.
This report summarises key themes that were raised at a 'think tank' of child protection experts from academia, social work, legal and voluntary organisations. It is designed to raise some significant issues around child protection for debate and reflection by policy makers and others. You can read the report below.

Confidentiality for children and young people
In recent months, confidentiality for children and young people has been a hot topic for parliamentary debate. CHILDREN 1^ST is keen to make sure that children as well as adults are able to access confidential services where they can get the help that they need. In particular, we want to make sure that there is confidential space available for children and young people to have the time and support they need to talk about problems such as abuse. We have produced a report which discusses this issue entitled ‘Confidentiality: will you keep it to yourself?’ which you can read below.

Kinship Care
The term ‘kinship care’ describes situations where a child cannot live with their parent(s), and live with other family members or close friends instead. There are many children in Scotland who live in kinship care, but they and their carers are often left without adequate support. CHILDREN 1^ST is urging the Executive to improve this support and to recognise the benefits of enabling children to remain within their family network. You can read a paper about kinship care produced by CHILDREN 1^ST in response to a Parliamentary petition below.

How should Scotland deal with sex offenders?
CHILDREN 1^ST believes that we need to do all that we can to minimise the risk of convicted sex offenders harming children. This means for example, that every sex offender should undergo a treatment programme of sufficient length. There should be greater information for the public about what is being done to supervise sex offenders in the community, and we also urge the Scottish Executive to consider more community involvement in support and accountability of sex offenders.

CHILDREN 1^ST submitted comments to MSPs on this issue. You can read these comments below.

Child witnesses
CHILDREN 1^ST is part of Justice for Children that is an alliance of individuals and organisations in Scotland seeking reform of the justice system so that child witnesses are respected and justice is delivered. Justice for Children is concerned that the Vulnerable Witnesses Act 2004 is implemented in a way that brings real improvement for children.

For more information about Justice for Children, read our factsheet here. Or contact us at the details below. You can also read a recent report from Justice for Children below.

Physical punishment of children
CHILDREN 1^ST welcomes the recent joint statement by the UK Children’s Commissioners calling for equal protection for children against hitting, and more resources to promote positive, non-violent discipline. We believe legal reform to end physical punishment of children is vital. See our factsheet on Children and Physical Punishment for further information on this issue.

Want more information?
If you would like further information about any aspect of our Current Campaigning Activities, please e-mail us at info@children1st.org.uk or telephone 0131 446 2300. See the latest policy briefings and responses to government consultation documents in our News section.

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Last updated: February 2007

 Monitoring Sex Offenders

 Getting the Balance Right?

 Justice for Children: Taking Stock

 Confidentiality: will you keep it to yourself?

 Kinship Care