News
New CHILDREN 1ST services in Scotland
06/06/2008
It has been a busy time for CHILDREN 1ST with the announcement of three new services in North Ayrshire, East Lothian and Midlothian.
Befriending Services
North Ayrshire and East Lothian will soon be welcoming new befriending services thanks to the BBC Children in Need Appeal and the Big Lottery Fund.
Based on the model developed for the charity's befriends service in Edinburgh, the new Bfriends schemes will support children under 12 in North Ayrshire and 5-16 in East Lothian; helping them to cope with difficulties they may be experiencing at home, school or in the community.
In both areas, a full time development worker will recruit, train and support the volunteer befrienders and their children.
The new North Ayrshire service will operate out of CHILDREN 1ST's Irvine centre, which currently houses our Directions and Advocacy services. In East Lothian, CHILDREN 1ST and East Lothian Council are on the hunt for suitable premise, but initially staff will work from our office base in Macmerry.
Substance Misuse Service
Midlothian is also soon to benefit from a groundbreaking CHILDREN 1ST service which will make a real difference in the lives of children affected by parental substance misuse.
Working with the local authority's substance misuse service, CHILDREN 1ST staff will ensure that the needs of the children in the family are taken into account, providing them and their families with direct support, or referring them to appropriate agencies in the area.
This initiative will bring CHILDREN 1ST and Midlothian Council's substance misuse services together in one place for the first time.
A CHILDREN 1ST worker will liaise with adult services, increasing their understanding and awareness of the needs of the children involved, while a family support worker will work directly with families in their homes, providing practical support on issues such as establishing routines, education and health.
Anne Houston, chief executive of CHILDREN 1ST, said "These new services will allow us to make a real difference in the lives of children. Expanding the range and number of our services means we can provide better opportunities for some of Scotland's most vulnerable children and ensure that children's wellbeing is always the priority."
Last updated: 11/04/2009
