Action for Children Scotland shares that parents' top worry is bullying and offers advice about children going back to school
A poll by Action for Children Scotland has revealed that bullying is the top concern for Scottish parents ahead of their children going back to school this week.
Children’s emotional wellbeing, the cost of school uniform and getting their children back into the school routine were also along parents’ top worries in the survey of 1000 families across Scotland.
Potential solutions offered by families were one to one support to help with children’s issues, and better availability of after school clubs.
Action for Children Scotland now wants to highlight the need for parents to talk to their children regularly, monitor their social media use and spend more time together as a family.
Paul Carberry, director of Action for Children Scotland, said: “Our staff are on hand to provide practical and emotional support to help with the transition back to school, recognising the range of challenges that some families face.”
The Scottish Government offers a Pupil Equity Fund which head teachers can use to tackle the various issues putting children at a disadvantage at school, such as those affected by poverty.
Carberry added: “The Pupil Equity Fund is a real opportunity to make a difference to those children who are at greatest risk of non-attainment, and to bring in flexible support to help address the challenges.”
Action for Children Scotland has also released their top five tips for parents as their children go back to school. Louise McKechnie, family support practitioner at Action for Children Scotland’s Glasgow Family Wellbeing Partnership, says these are:
- Establish a good bedtime routine
- Be prepared and organised
- Speak to teachers
- Know what school policies are, particularly on issues such as absence
- Find out about school clubs
Pupil Equity Funding is allocated directly to schools, targeted at those children most affected by the poverty related attainment gap.
From April this year £120m is being provided through the Attainment Scotland Fund directly to headteachers to use for additional staffing or resources they consider will help reduce the poverty related attainment gap.
