Children 1st respond to the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee inquiry into the health and wellbeing of children and young people

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee inquiry into the health and wellbeing of children and young people, Children 1st Chief Executive Mary Glasgow said:

“Today’s report must be a watershed moment for the Scottish Government, local authorities and organisations who have responsibility for supporting children to be safe, healthy, and well.

“The committee has recognised that children do well when their family does well. Our work with children and their families shows that easily accessible practical, financial and emotional support can be transformational in helping children to recover from their distress.

“However, all too often children and their families tell us about the compounding stress and upset they have experienced after reaching out for support and then having to endure lengthy waiting lists.

“If Scotland sincerely aims to be the best place in the world to grow up, and if we are to keep The Promise, then the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call to prioritise whole family support services must be realised across the whole country. There is no kindness in a system which makes children wait for help.”