Funding to support young people in care and at risk of becoming looked after.
Charities supporting looked after children and vulnerable families to help prevent children becoming looked after have been awarded £3.28 million by the Scottish Government.
Twenty seven organisations, including Aberlour, Includem, Mentor Scotland and the NSPCC will continue their work in this area thanks to awards from the 2017-18 Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund.
The funding will also cover eight specific projects, including an innovative scheme to help looked after children use the law to maintain contact with siblings and a project that provides therapeutic interventions for looked after children and other vulnerable young people in Glasgow.
Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald made the announcement during a Scottish Government debate on improving the care experience for looked after children.
Mr McDonald said:
Over the decades we have learned a lot about what works when it comes to intervening in the lives of children who have been neglected, abused and traumatised.
“We are making real progress through Getting It Right for Every Child, changing culture and practice to prevent children coming into care and to intervene early when they are at risk of becoming looked after.
“This work is vital and must continue, which is why, Presiding Officer, I can announce investment of £3.3 million in 2017/18 by this government for organisations working alongside statutory agencies to directly support better outcomes for looked after children and also, provide support for vulnerable families that may help prevent children becoming looked after.”
Click here for a list of funded organisations.
Further funding announcements for the Children, Young People, Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund (CYPFEIF / ALEC Fund) are expected later this week.
