Tam's diary

Spoke at Catholic Bishops Conference. This was attended by around 80 – comprising mainly of lay people responsible for protection within the church. Spoke to strategic agenda with addition of child protection angle. (This event has been running for past 4 years).

Meeting with Colin McAllister (First Minister advisor) – catching up on previous contact. Shared views regarding early years implementation.

Meeting with Netta McIver (SCRA) – shared views on progress of Children’s Hearing Bill. Netta had visited CAFCAS advocacy services in England and shared materials. Netta keen on joint event for young people in care – concern around placement choice and stability – Katie aware.

Visit to Donaldsons School. This was part of World Data Protection Day – ICO were launching online protection information, with solicitor as main speaker. Spoke to around 30 pupils and staff. I was later shown round the school – impressed with facilities – since contacted regarding transitions issues.

Meeting with Lesley Fraser (Scottish Government Stronger Families), Boyd Macadam, Phil Raines, another. Lesley interested in update on work programme. The original intention was for a shared update, however, focussed on SG desire to host a youth summit in summer 2010 – keen to have joint involvement in this – Katie aware.

Meeting with Patrick Harvie and Robin Harper – Nico present. Informed of strategic agenda.

Meeting with Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop and Professor Colwyn Trevarthen. Shared views on the implementation of the early years strategy and potential research project – Aline-Wendy interested in this.

Meeting with Jean Carwood Edwards, Jane Stirling and Anne Jardine –Rachel present . More useful suggestions to be followed up in terms of preparation of materials and methods of engagement in nursery settings.

Meeting with Sandra Falconer (Scottish Government) and Shabeen Begum (SIAA Director) – Pauline (SCCYP enquiries Officer) present – meeting called as a result of an approach from children’s charities regarding their concerns around the publication of updated guidance from SIAA on advocacy services. Agreed way forward that allowed publication of the guidance and scope for further work relating to the development of advocacy within children’s services.

Meeting with UK and Ireland Children’s Commissioners. The main topics were around the issues of BINOCC, UK Concluding Observations reporting and positive imaging for children and young people.

Visit to St. Gerardines Primary, Lossiemouth. I spoke to 4 classes, composites of primaries 3-7. On issues relating to children, the themes that emerged were, poverty, young homelessness and earthquakes (Haiti – can I stop them happening?).

Visit to Nairn Academy. I met with large group including teachers, senior managers within education and presented awards to a group of pupils. I later met with the pupils to ask about issues important to them. The themes that came up were leisure activities (although there were different experiences of this, some good, some poor), and rural transport (this was a common and sorely felt issue).

Spoke to Children’s Panel Training Group in evening. This is a very well informed group and useful to catch their views on the developments of the Children’s Hearing Bill.

Visit to Moray Council – meeting with group from Education and Social Work – it included, senior management team in education, Donald Duncan (Director) Alistair Farquhar (Head of Educational Resources), Richard Donald (Head of Educational Support Services) George Sinclair (Head of Educational Development). This was followed by a visit to Elgin Academy to observe a lecture on ‘Inclusion’ to the whole staff group, as part of a follow up to a poor inspection report on this aspect of the school.

Meeting with Mike Russell, Cabinet Secretary, Education. Informal meeting where I shared views on the implementation of the early years strategy.

Meeting with Jean Carwood Edwards and Jane Stirling - Rachel (A Right Blether Project Manager) present. Shared views on the possibility of A Right Wee Blether – plenty of enthusiasm and agreed to quick follow up meeting.

Meeting with Gillian Tees, (Edinburgh, Director of Children Services, Education and Social Work) and another - Katie present. Informed of strategic agenda and desire to visit schools in and around Edinburgh.

Meeting with Brian McGee, CE, COSCA, Scotland. Informed of strategic agenda – Brian expressing concerns around the status and prevalence of counselling services generally and in particular, to children.

Meeting with Beth Smith and Jane Scott, Multi-Agency Resource Service (MARS), a centre of excellence for child protection in Scotland project – shared agendas. I suggested that an area for MARS to develop may be professional engagement with the media around issues of child protection –rather than always being on the defensive. Requested suggestions for suitable trainers in child protection – awaiting response.

Meeting with Maureen Verrall, Scottish Government lead for workforce development. Mauren has just returned to SG – currently working on behalf of Mike Russell, and assessing scope for him having a children’s champion role across SG – short term before picking up workforce development role.

Meeting with Rosemary Everett and Mary Hershaw, Education Services, Scottish Parliament – Katie present. Very useful meeting and agreed to include meeting the Commissioner as part of school visits – agreed pilot period after April 2010 - also agreed to follow up events organiser in Scottish Parliament.

Meeting with Alison Douglas, Scottish Government Alcohol Bill lead – Gillian (SCCYP Information Officer) present. This was a useful exchange of views – informed of presentation of written evidence to Committee and endorsement of SG position on minimum pricing.

Meeting with Simon Parsons, Nick Symons and Ian Small, BBC Scotland – Ezmie (SCCYP Communications Manager) present. This was a series of separate meetings to share the strategic agenda, in particular, the issues around popularising UNCRC and countering the demonising of young people. Simon and Nick are both up for follow up and Ian happy to broker meeting with Ken McQuarrie, Head of BBC Scotland.

Meeting with Gordon Currie, Education Director, East Dumbarton Council. Informed of strategic approach – already visited Criaghead school in the council. Gordon willing to arrange special meeting with all school heads in council – may be worth following up after ‘A Right Blether’ receptions.

Meeting with John Wilkes, Simon Hodgson, Claire Tudor, Scottish Refugee Council. Discussion on the strategic approach to UKBA, particularly the issue of pressing for the cessation of the use of Dungavel, without the unintended consequence of shifting the problem to England.

Meeting with John Carnochan, Violence Reduction Unit. Shared agendas, with John giving details of the CIRV scheme rolling out in areas of Glasgow - I expect regular cross over through interest in pursuing the early years agenda.

Meeting with Steve Ebbitt. Steve working with Kibble school and interested in assisting with the leaving care agenda, when any strategic decisions have been made on this.

Meeting with Graeme Brown, Scottish Director, Shelter. Graeme pressing the case for continuation of families support projects – currently under threat in Edinburgh – making the case that these services are GIRFEC compliant and relevant to child protection (it is known that for families who move frequently, there is a risk factor in child deaths).

Meeting with Fife Council – Ken Greer, Education Director, Carrie Lindsay, – Katie (SCCYP Head of Participation) present. Useful meeting regarding plans for A Right Blether - Ken keen for Fife to have its own launch event – agreed to this on the basis that Fife do the organising and we fill the content. Carrie to be invited to assist with A Right Wee Blether (whenever progress made on this).

Meeting with Susan Elsley. Susan informed of the research (not published at that time). It was clear that Susan felt that there was further work required with regard to the promotion of advocacy services. Susan interested in consultancy opportunities.

Meeting with Alex Neil, Minister for Housing and Regeneration. This was part of the series of meetings with Ministers to lay out the strategic approach. It was useful to discuss the issue of supported accommodation and be informed of the plans for the Minister to set up a working group to consider issues relating to this area of provision. This may provide a driver for the leaving care agenda.