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SCLC News
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Delegate led training throughout ScotlandThe Scottish Child Law Centre is pleased to launch our new training programme. We are offering a range of training on relevant issues to which individuals can sign up. This will benefit professionals and volunteers from smaller organisations and groups as well as those from statutory and voluntary bodies. At the moment we are offering training in such places as Inverness, Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Glasgow and Edinburgh If you would like to know more or book your place please contact the Centre at training@sclc.org.uk or see the link to the flyer "Are We Getting it Right" seminarsWith the support of the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Child Law Centre have arranged 2 seminars on the Draft Children’s Services (S) Bill – one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow. The purpose of these seminars is to encourage debate and discussion on these important legislative proposals. We have planned the seminars to allow ample time for individual responses to be made on the consultation prior to the 31 st March deadline. If you would like to know more or to attend one of these seminars please contact the Centre at training@sclc.org.uk or see the link to the flyer SCLC gives evidence at the ParliamentSCLC gives evidence at the Scottish Parliament on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (S) Bill.
On the 29 November, Katy Macfarlane and Alison Reid gave evidence to the Education Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (S) Bill. Regarding Part 3 of the Bill, SCLC, whilst agreeing that it is necessary to share information for the purposes of child protection, pointed out that the consent of the child should, where practicable, be sought. Further, SCLC questioned why no consultation with children and young people had been carried out before such important legislation was drafted, especially given that the Children’s Charter asks professionals to “think carefully about how you use information about us”. Further, SCLC has concerns about the new vetting and barring procedures and the resulting increase in disclosure checks that would be required. This might lead to adults being put off working with children, and to parents and carers having a false sense of security concerning the safety of their children.
The Centre would like to thank Katy, Alison and Fiona for all the hard work they have put in preparing the response to the Bill and giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament. LEXTXT - SCLC launches free text message advice serviceThe SCLC is launching a new service for children and young people. Our LEXTXT text message advice service means that children and young people can text us for free with their questions, and can receive an answer direct to their mobile phones. To use the service, just text 'SCLC' and your question to 80800. If you would like to order fliers or cards for this service, please email enquiries@sclc.org.uk. Youth Matters ConferenceThe SCLC is hosting a conference for children and young people in Edinburgh on 14th June 2006. The aim of the conference is to promote awareness of citizenship and responsibiltiies and to encourage children and young people to take an active role in society. This is a wonderful opportunity for the young delegates to participate in debate and discussion on issues that affect them in their daily lives. Speakers are Kathleen Marshall, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People; Norman MacKay of Streetwork; Kenny MacAskill MSP; and a panel of young people who will be talking about their views and experiences. The conference will include interactive workshops on a range of issues from children's rights to fire safety. We are very grateful to all those participating in and supporting the conference, and to the Faculty of Advocates for their help and support. New ASBO and Police Powers leaflets now availableOur new leaflets on police powers and antisocial behaviour legislation are now available. Priced at only 50p each, these are brightly coloured, pocket-sized leaflets ideal for children and young people. To order, email publications@sclc.org.uk, or download and complete our order form. Remember that SCLC members receive a 5% discount on all publications orders. Members Zone goes live!Our exclusive members only zone is now live, and all members should now have a username and password to access the Zone. In the members area you can view back issues of Youth Matters and e-news and view the latest advice calls. You also have access to the SCLC discussion forum, and you can sign in using the same username and password as for the Members Zone. We have over 150 members across Scotland, including solicitors, children's rights officers, teachers, counsellors, social workers and other professionals, so if you have an issue you want to discuss or a question you need answered, why not try the forum? You can talk about any child law or children's rights issues with your colleagues across the country, and we hope that the forum will become a useful resources for those working in children's rights in Scotland. Please let us know what you think of the Members Zone, and give us your suggestions for other items to include - your SCLC membership is for you and we love to hear from you! Youth Matters out nowThe summer 2005 edition of Youth Matters is now out, including articles on the Additional Support for Learning Act, antisocial behaviour and advice calls. Members should have received their copy, and can also view the content of this and previous Youth Matters in the Members Zone, now live. Record call levelsOur free legal advice line has been busier than ever this year. We have received 2,436 calls this year, an increase of 15% on last year’s call levels. This demonstrates the ever-increasing demand for our service, and shows the growing interest in children’s rights and the law. Our expertise and impartial advice on all aspects of Scottish child law are much-valued by children, young people, parents, carers and professionals including teachers, social workers and health professionals. The advice line is now open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm. You can call us on 0131 667 6333, and under 18s call free on 0800 328 8970. Website developmentsIn response to feedback from our members, we will shortly have a special members-only zone on the website, complete with Youth Matters articles, advice line queries and discussion forum. If you are a member and have any other ideas about what you would like to see in your zone, email membership@sclc.org.uk. To become a member, visit our members page. We have also been working hard to develop our KidsZone, and the changes will be going live soon. We hope this will make our services more accessible for children and young people. To find out more, or if you have any suggestions for the KidsZone, contact enquiries@sclc.org.uk. If you are in contact with children and young people and you think they would benefit from knowing more about the law or their rights, please tell them about us! Youth Matters out nowThe autumn edition of our newsletter for members is out now, with articles about freedom of information and access to school records, as well as our usual feature on advice line calls. All members should have received a copy by now - please let us know if you have not. We would love to hear your comments about the newsletter, so please let us know what you think. To receive future copies of Youth Matters, become a member of SCLC. You will also be entitled to discounts on training bookings and publications orders. New leaflets on ASBOsWe are currently preparing new leaflets on the new Anti-Social Behaviour legislation. These will be part of our pocket-sized series aimed at young people and will give clear and accessible information about the new Act. These will be available soon - to register an interest and receive a sample copy hot off the press, please call or email publications@sclc.org.uk, making sure you provide a full postal address and email or telephone number. Welcome to the new SCLC websiteThis new site is packed with information about the Centre and has details of how to access all our services, from confidentiality leaflets to court skills training. The brand new KidsZone is a special area for children and young people to find out about the SCLC and to learn about how the law affects them. We love to receive feedback from you, so if you have anything to say about the site or the Centre in general, please visit the comments page and let us know what you think! Updated pregnancy leaflets!Our updated leaflets on teenage pregnancy will be available in the very near future. The two leaflets, 'Help! Are you worried you might be pregnant?' and 'Help! Right to financial help for pregnant teenagers and teenage parents' give information about the options open to young people and the support that is available. These leaflets are priced at 60p each, or £1 for the two together. Remember that SCLC members are entitled to a 5% discount on all publications orders. Place your order now and receive these new leaflets hot off the press. |
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