Tam's diary

I had a telephone interview with Andy Bilson, who is carrying out evaluation work with NICCY – this interview was part of the comparison with other children’s commissioner offices around the UK.

Meeting with Angela Morgan, Includem – there was interesting link with Angela, LTS and implementation of a Right Blether, which can be followed up at a later date.

Meeting with Fairpley – Cathy present. We had a discussion about Belladrum and potential role for this year.

Meeting with Glasgow Education Directorate – Cathy present. Shared the strategic approach and agreed how to break down engagement with Glasgow – the largest LA area. There is the potential to work closely with Glasgow on a Right Blether as other sections (e.g. leisure already have group working on out of school engagement). We visited Whitehill Secondary and met with a class of 15 pupils, informing of a Right Blether and having a short Q&A. We then moved on to Wellshot Primary meeting a group of professionals associated with the school and later 6 pupils from P7.

I met with Phil Taylor and Victoria from UKBA - Stefan present. This was a positive meeting considering the next steps to ensure that there are a range of suitable alternatives to detention in Scotland - that will have more general application with the implementation of the new government policy. Phil informed of potential Ministerial visit.

I chaired a meeting with agencies engaged in promoting positive images for children and young people. This is a slow burn group that has the potential to have a long life as it work on a significant agenda of influencing media coverage and ultimately public opinion of young people.

Celebration night for young people, parents and staff involved in the production of a Right Blether DVD – great night.

Visit to Orkney. I was accompanied throughout by Tina Smith. I firstly met with Lesley Manson, Director of Education and current President of ADES and the senior management team of education and social work. I then went onto Kirkwall Grammar School where I spoke to 20 pupils. This was attended by the head teacher and the local MSP, Liam McArthur. I also had the opportunity to visit The Strynd nursery and spoke to the head teacher. At lunch time, I spoke to a group of 50 staff from education and social care sectors – this was effectively another reception for A Right Blether – strong sign up from Lesley M with Tina as the contact.

I later visited St. Andrews Primary and met a group of 12 pupils who were part of various groups in the school.

I met with Neil Logue and Susan Duff from Angus Council. There were no school visits, but nonetheless it was a really engaging meeting with initial sign-up on behalf of the Council.

I met with Belinda Greer, Stirling Council – Cathy present. This is the third Director from Stirling Council whom I have met in a six month period. Belinda is here to stay and really enthused by a Right Blether – she had met with representatives from SYP earlier in the day and made the link with the preparatory work on A Right Blether. Agreed for future engagement through the Stirling Head- teachers network.

GLOW launch Dundee. This event was attended by around 20 pupils from a Primary school, Dundee with more than a dozen more schools connected through GLOW – it is estimated that over 800 pupils participated in the event. This consisted of input from myself, some exercises on UNCRC, and a Q&A both live and on-line to answered at a later stage. There is considerable potential in developing this GLOW approach in the lead up to the November vote – while it can be improved, there is no doubt this was a very successful event and well received by participants.

Later in the day I was interviewed by two children from Radiowaves. This will result in a production that will be posted through the international Radiowaves network.

I spoke at the Holyrood conference on Childhood Transitions – positive written feedback.

I spoke to the COSLA education group about strategic approach and A Right Blether. This was a very useful meeting to be addressing because the membership comprised politicians and officers responsible for education and children services. I expect to address this group in future.

I contributed to an LTS sponsored film as part of a Journey to Excellence in Education. This will be posted on the LTS Curriculum for Excellence network.

I was part of a meeting with other Commissioners and Paul Grice (Scottish Parliament Chief Executive). This was an update meeting on work being undertaken by Chief Officers. The main message was that we should continue to plan for budget cuts of at least 15% over the next three years. There was a need to wait and see what proposals come out of the new UK government and implications for Scotland. I will further update when note available.

I spoke to a group of over 100 final year primary school teachers at Jordanhill campus. The main input was a Right Blether and with better preparation I could have got sign up from a number of students. It is worth considering the potential for this in future.

I visited Shetland with Katie B. We were accompanied by Avril Nicol throughout the visit. This included meeting with the Director of Education who signed up for a Right Blether. We then went on to visit Scalloway Junior High School, where we were treated to a welcome of traditional Shetland fiddling, bannock cakes and the opportunity to meet with 15 pupils from the school – including the road safety group, the mock election team and the musicians. All great stuff - along with me talking about a Right Blether. We went on to Dunrossness Primary school for lunch and the opportunity to speak to 40 pupils from P6 and P7 – this provided useful feedback on the use of the resource pack DVD. Ezmie started tweeting for the Commissioner on the back of this trip.

I met with the Stuart Valentine, Director of Relationship Scotland, and the Head of Operations. I found this an educative session as I was informed of the work of the organisation and I was particularly interested in the mediation work in which they are involved and the focus on supporting children through the process of family break-up. I would like to do more in this area, but time and resources do not allow for it at this point.

I visited Argyll and Bute education offices in Oban and met with principal education officer, Carol Walker. Carol will be the main contact for a Right Blether in Argyll and Bute – she is also the previous early years contact and for the purposes of the research a useful point of contact.

I then visited Oban High school, meeting the head teacher, Peter Bain and 10 pupils from the school council.

I spoke at the SASO conference (Scottish Association for the Study of Offenders). My main input was on child protection and I had an interesting discussion with Professor Andrew Lockyer regarding the place of UNCRC and the CH reforms. I have not yet had the opportunity to follow up.

I was part of an international GLOW meet organised by LTS on the issue of early years provision in countries across Europe. Countries taking part included, Iceland, Sweden, Serbia, Italy, Poland. The event was attended by 15 Scottish experts, Adam Ingram who provided the opening comments with myself providing an input on A Right Blether and proposed plans a Right Wee Blether.

I contributed to a teachers CPD training event in Scottish Parliament. I spoke to a group of 10 teachers from various schools informing them of the work of the office and gaining sign-ups for a Right Blether – interestingly, positive press coverage from one of the teachers involved.

I provided the closing remarks for the Fred Stone memorial conference. This was a challenge because of the wide range of inputs, some covering complex matters in great detail. I had opted to focus on commenting on the New Orleans pilot in Glasgow and I know from feedback that it was well received.

Meeting with ACTS - a group of representatives from church organisations working with children. I informed them of the strategic approach and distributed materials for a Right Blether.