Tam's diary

Meeting with Alan Sinclair – Chris (SCCYP Chief Officer) present. This was to discuss Alan’s potential input to senior management and team development. I expect we will have further engagement with Alan on this basis.

Meeting with Stella Perrot – ex Scottish Government and currently free lance writing – informal meeting.

Brian Taylor’s Big Question – radio question time event comprising panel of 5 people. Lots of young people in the audience and will accept further invites if they come in.

Chaired Scottish Refugee Council event – Nico (SCCYP Parliamentary Officer) present. This was a repeat event from one year ago considering services for unaccompanied young people. There was an announcement made on successful funding bids for an advocacy service for unaccompanied young people.

Visit to Spark of Genius. I spent a morning being ferried around Spark of Genius projects around Renfrewshire and Ayrshire. I found this very useful, illuminating and I expect we will hear more about the development of the work of Spark of Genius.

Meeting with Katerine Bussey (PA). Interview for use over the holiday period. This was my first contact with PA useful to develop.

Meeting with Juliet Harris (SACR) – Maire (SCCYP Head of Policy) present. This was a very useful meeting considering how the SARC work plan can link with the monitoring of the UN Concluding Observations. I expect we will have ongoing contact on this aspect of the work.

Meeting with Mike Pringle (MSP link to SPBC) – Janice Crerar present. I had requested a meeting with SPCB – Mike informed that he would inform SPCB of the content of the meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting Mike was more positive about the possibility of me meeting with SPBC as this is still my desire.

Meeting with Chief Executive and another at LGTB Youth. I was responding to their request for a meeting – not specific and shared agenda and priorities. There may be scope for involvement in A Right Blether.

Meeting with Des McNulty (Labour spokesperson on Education). Des was very frank about views on Commissioners and I informed him of the strategic agenda. I expect to have future contact with Des.

Meeting with Bronwen Cohen and Susan Milligan. Follow up planning meeting for conference in February 23rd. Range of international speakers, hopefully including one/two UN Committee members – I will chair the day.

Meeting with Kathleen Marshall – informal contact.

Visit to Glenburn Special School, Inverclyde to give Rights Respecting School award – it was another excellent (and humbling) occasion.

Meeting with Jacqui Cassidy and Jennifer McConnochie (both Holyrood conferences) - they provided useful feedback on recent conference outings and exchanged ideas for future events.

Meeting with Donald McKay, Midlothian Director of Education – Rachel present - discussion around strategic approach and engagement with council.

Spoke at LTS planning day – 80 present. A very useful opportunity to promote A Right Blether.

Meeting with Willie Smith – follow up to enquiry regarding football contracts for under 16s, which may result in a petition to Scottish Parliament.

Spoke at Crossreach Council (Presbyterian Church social care organisation). David Crawford (Glasgow SW Director) present and useful contact made. I later spoke to a small meeting consisting of Crossreach, Scottish Attachment Alliance and National Fostering Association.

Spoke at Capita conference on Improving Children’s Services. It provided another opportunity to outline strategic approach to audience – mixed disciplines, around 100. I am thoughtful about future involvement with Capita.

Meeting with Anne Gibson and Stuart Ritchie (both LTS) and Judy Waterman (Scottish Government) – Rachel (SCCYP Right Blether Project manager) present. This was a short but productive meeting around participation agenda out with schools and potential link up on demonising of young people.