Tam's diary

I met with Louise Hill who is a newly recruited researcher with NSPCC. It was interesting to hear her take on the current issues in terms of the better protection of children in Scotland.

I met with Jamie Ross and Louise Turner – Nico Juetten present. Jamie and Louise are from Century Films who have been commissioned by BBC to conduct a ‘fly on the wall’ series with a Parent and Child Team (PACT) in Glasgow. They were interested in ensuring that the rights of children had been appropriately covered in their considerations prior to filming. It was also useful to gain information from them on the guidelines and expectations from BBC in the filming of children and young people.

I ran a workshop at the Iona Community as part of their evening meeting and worship – providing details of my office’s strategic approach, including participation and as much as I am able to give on the impact of a RIGHT blether.

I provided introductory comments to the Education with Care Conference – drawing a parallel between the current position and some historical developments between 1970s and 80s – increases in child poverty, reductions in public service budgets and reductions on the use of residential care. I was able to stay and hear about the interesting development taking place with regard to joint commissioning of services in the Clyde Valley which is likely to be the way forward in future local government and health board activity.

I visited Kinghorn Primary School in Fife. The school had just completed their Level 1 Rights Respecting School Award and have bedecked the assembly hall with their work on this and a RIGHT blether. The Rotary Club were also present and it was yet another example of the reach of the blether and the potential for follow up.

I gave an interview to LTS for their Early Years Matters publication – focussing on a RIGHT wee blether.

I met with Karen Whitefield, MSP and Chair of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee. This was to further outline my thoughts on the Strategic Plan and in particular, early years and looked after children.

I visited St. Philips Secure Unit. I spoke to staff and a board member and met with some of the young people accommodated. This is a new build unit so the accommodation is of a high standard. The main issue from staff is the moth balling of six of the 24 beds and a level of uncertainty as to the future positioning of secure accommodation. There is a link to the ongoing debate around 16/17 year olds in custody.

I met with Ronnie Hill and Bryan Livingstone from the Care Commission – Linda Macdonald and Sarah-Louise Davies were present at different parts of the meeting. The issues covered included the potential for a thematic inspection on the provision of throughcare and aftercare services, the place for young people generally in the inspection process and a specific issue regarding foster care provision. I will follow up this meeting with Jacquie Roberts, interim Chief Executive of the new inspection agency.

I met with Adam Ingram on the issue of children of prisoners – Nico Juetten and several others from the campaign group were present. It was a useful meeting in terms of keeping the issue on the agenda, although future activity on this issue is under consideration as part of the review of Not Seen, Not Guilty, Not Heard.

I attended a public meeting host by the Howard League of Penal Reform, entitled “Why does Scotland lock up so many young people?” – held in Muirhouse in Edinburgh and attended by 100 people in total - local people, academics and people from the justice field, including Richard Baker, MSP. I expect there to be follow up to this on the issue of 16/17 year olds in custody as there was common agreement here.

I visited Rowantree Primary School in Dundee. This was another delightful visit as the school put on an assembly and presented me with some really excellent examples of RIGHT brilliant things – a jigsaw, a banner and a showing of their rights version of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’.

I attended a meeting of all four UK Children’s Commissioner in held in London – Nico Juetten present. The first part of the meeting was an update on current issues for each of the offices, followed by a general discussion on the Interim Report and the implications of the publication of the Dunford Report – the recently completed review of the Children’s Commissioner for England.

The afternoon session was a joint meeting of the Commissioners and civil servant representatives from each of the jurisdictions (apart from NI and Ireland). The representative from Scotland was Susie Warden. The meeting focussed on Dunford and the ramifications for each jurisdiction. There was a very useful update from Wales and the development of the measure requiring the UNCRC to be taken into account in the passage of all legislation. This is a most welcome development and I expect to visit Wales as part of the incorporation work stream in Scotland.

I spoke at an NHS Fife conference on the issue of infant mental health and the need to be more assertive in implementing the Early Years Framework. I was impressed by the input from Suzanne Zeedyk, demonstrating the responsiveness of new born children to their environment – a fascinating film of a 10 minute old baby and father.

I met with Angus McKay of McKay Hannah conference organising. I outlined the office’s Strategic Plan and the areas where there may be common ground in terms of the issues that may lend themselves to conferences in the coming year.

I met with Helen Jackson and Lorraine McLaren, both of Glasgow Housing Association. We exchanged information on our respective roles and discussed issues around regeneration in the context of Glasgow. I am interested in how I can develop stronger links with Glasgow on this basis as it fits well with developing an agenda around tackling child poverty – particularly in those areas where there are concentrations of high incidence. I do not expect to progress this in any way until the completion of consultations on the Strategic Plan and a RIGHT blether, after which further consideration can be given to the issues raised.

I was interviewed for The Grid – a publication distributed to all children in Glasgow on a quarterly basis. I expect my interview to come out in the Spring 2011issue.

I gave evidence to the Public Petitions Committee on the issue of young people’s participation in youth football and the issues linked to the involvement of professional football clubs. I shared the session with Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport, the Chief Executives of the SFA and SPL, and the Directors of Youth Development from Rangers and Celtic football clubs. It was a lively session which was covered in the press and I expect this issue to go further, subject to the deliberations of the Committee.

I attended a meeting of the local branch of the Howard League of Penal Reform. The Howard League are organising an event later in the month and I expect to take part in this.

I met with Henry McLeish, author of the Review of Scottish Football and who had previously given evidence to the Public Petitions Committee on this matter.