Tam's diary

I spoke at the International Play Association event celebrating the launch of the UN Committee General Comment on Article 31.  This was an event assisted by the office and had a good balance of keynote addresses, input from young people, and a variety of workshops.

I met with Joan Frondigoun at the Volunteer Tutors Organisation (VTO), Glasgow.  The VTO match around 130 volunteers with vulnerable young people who need assistance with reading and numeracy skills.  The reason for my meeting was to hear about the work of the VTO in Glasgow and the challenges they encounter in keeping the organisation running. 

I attended the Broxburn Family Centre Play Conference.  This was a really interactive event with lots of opportunity to experience the play facilities and I was able to visit the original Family Centre and the Adventure Playground which have been developed over the 20 years that the Family Centre has been operating.  I was part of a question and answer session at a Play Conference, which closed the conference.

I visited Linnvale Primary School, Clydebank.  I spoke to the whole school assembly of 200 pupils and took a question and answer session.  I also had the opportunity to meet with two groups of pupils – one group which included school council members and those preparing for Rights Respecting activity and another group who had participated in the Save the Children Family and Schools Together programme (FAST).  I enjoyed the varied programme of my visit to the school.

Kirsteen MacKay and I visited the ASSIST project in Glasgow – Kirsteen is a researcher from Edinburgh University who will be assisting in the development of the domestic abuse agenda.  We heard from Fiona McMullen how the project has developed from a start of 2 workers in 2004, covering one Police Division in Glasgow to the present day staff of 57 members, covering all of the Strathclyde Police area.  The project is primarily concerned with risk assessment for families affected by domestic abuse.  It also manages the Multi Agency Taskforce and Co-ordination meeting (MARAC) which involves all relevant agencies pulling information on high risk families and initiates safety planning for the women (as they are the victims the vast majority of the time), and where necessary, the children.   

I visited Mount Cameron Primary School, East Kilbride.  Mount Cameron is the Gaelic Primary school for South Lanarkshire Council.  I spoke to an assembly of 80 pupils, taking in a question and answer session afterwards.

I attended the Edinburgh Throughcare and Aftercare Conference.  This was an event organised by the young people and it was different because there were no main speeches – just some introductory remarks by ‘Gary the Tank Commander’ and the rest was a large number of exhibits of the work undertaken on behalf of young people leaving care in the Edinburgh area.  I liked the informality of the event. 

I met with Helen Chambers, Inspiring Scotland.  It was useful to catch up with Helen and developments at Inspiring Scotland.

I attended the Early Years Taskforce Delivery Group.  This group is under the same review as the Early Years Taskforce.  For the present, it has an over-arching role in terms of the range of Taskforce sub-groups.

I contributed to an Education Scotland video promoting children’s rights.  This is part of the increase in suitable resources for schools and developing a better understanding of rights within the school curriculum.

I was part of a panel of judges at a debate on children’s rights hosted by Milton Primary School.  There were at least 150 children and 50 adults in attendance at the event.  The panel consisted of me, Aileen Campbell, MSP and Alison Mechan, South Lanarkshire Council.  The debates focussed on issues of the value of IT learning over books, homework and school uniforms.  This was a really interesting way for children to think about issues relevant to them and the implications in terms of their rights

Sarah-Louise and I visited Rowallan children’s unit near Forth.  The unit is one of three in South Lanarkshire managed by a private company, The Wilderness Way.  We met three of the young people staying there and heard about their views on rights and the running of the unit.  It was particularly good to meet these young people as they have established the KISS mark (Keep It Short and Simple) which we have used in our publications.  I was impressed by the relaxed atmosphere in the unit and views given by the young people.

I gave evidence to the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee at Scottish Parliament.  The main purpose of the appearance was to comment on the proposals for 16/17 year olds to be given the vote for the referendum – provided in a specific piece of legislation linked to the main bill.  I have been asked to give further evidence on the main bill later in the parliamentary session.

I attended a roundtable event hosted by NSPCC and involving a number of other agencies (Barnardos, SCRA, CELCIS, and Children in Scotland) to discuss the potential impact of pending legislation – the Children and Young People’s (Scotland)  Bill and the Adult Health and Social Care Bill.

I participated in a teleconference organised by the Judicial Institute for Scotland as part of the preparation for a course involving Sheriffs and to which I will be contributing on the matter of the ‘voice of the child’ in court processes.

I gave evidence to the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee at Scottish Parliament.  The main purpose of the appearance was to comment on the proposals for 16/17 year olds to be given the vote for the referendum – provided in a specific piece of legislation linked to the main bill.  I have been asked to give further evidence on the main bill later in the parliamentary session.

I attended a roundtable event hosted by NSPCC and involving a number of other agencies (Barnardos, SCRA, CELCIS, and Children in Scotland) to discuss the potential impact of pending legislation – the Children and Young People’s (Scotland)  Bill and the Adult Health and Social Care Bill.

I participated in a teleconference organised by the Judicial Institute for Scotland as part of the preparation for a course involving Sheriffs and to which I will be contributing on the matter of the ‘voice of the child’ in court processes.

The BINOCC meeting was hosted in Edinburgh.  The morning session consisted of the Commissioners’ meeting followed by a joint meeting with the government officials from Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.  The main matter under consideration for both meetings was the preparations underway for the next UN reporting requirement on the UK which is programmed for January 2014. 

I spoke to at least 30 people at the Fife Children’s Panel members meeting in Glenrothes.  I gave an outline of the strategic priorities followed by a question and answer session.

I chaired the Holyrood Early Years Conference with 120 people in attendance.  I was impressed by the range of speakers at this conference which looks like becoming an annual event.

I met with Linda Thompson, Women’s Support Project.  Linda has a responsibility to campaign on the issue of sexual exploitation and the commercialisation of children.  This was a timely discussion for me because of the research work being carried out by CELCIS on the issue of sexual exploitation and the relevance of commercialisation and the early years culture change agenda.

I visited Elgin Academy and spoke to around 200 pupils in 3rd Year and had an engaging session with them.  I had previously visited the old school and I was impressed by the changes to the new Elgin Academy - particularly by the overall design and layout of the school, including the toilets. 

Sarah-Louise, Stefan and I met with the Moray, Speak 4 Yourself Young Persons Advocacy Group.  We met 8 young people with disabilities who were frustrated by the lack of improvement in their situation, despite raising them on several occasions with decision makers.  I have since written to the local authority Chief Executive highlighting the issues raised by the young people.

I attended an End Child Poverty event, where the main speaker was Nicola Sturgeon.   This was noteworthy because of the emphasis placed on child poverty and the UNCRC – especially article 3; the best interests of the child.  I hope to have further engagement with the government on the basis of the UNCRC and constitutional change.

I met with Sam Phipps, Children and Young People Now.  Sam was interested in my speech on youth justice in Scotland and the comparison with England.

Pauline and I visited the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Wales’ office to learn about their approach in the exercise of the case handling function.  

Sue Palmer and I met with Lesley Shepherd, Scottish Government.  This was part of the government review of the operation of the Taskforce where all members have been asked for their views on the way forward, taking account of the most recent Collaboration event.

Katie and I met with Hamira Khan, Scottish Youth Parliament.  The purpose of the meeting was to update on work areas and to follow up on an earlier discussion around raising awareness of the referendum among young people.

I met with Ezgi Denli, True Colours.  Ezgi had shown great initiative by setting up the True Colours organisation with her friend Saaliha Hussain and was seeking assistance and advice on how to maintain the momentum of their efforts.

I met with the ENOC Bureau in Athens, in my capacity as Secretary to the Bureau.  The main business of the meeting was to prepare for the Annual Assembly in September 2013 and the preliminary seminar in May 2013 around the issue of ‘young people on the move’.