Appendix 1 – Perth and Kinross Integrated Children’s Services Plan 2026-2029
Perth and Kinross Council · 27 May 2026
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 27 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 PKC - GENERAL Appendix 1 Perth and Kinross Integrated Services Plan for Children and Families 2026 to 2029
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2 PKC - GENERAL Contents Integrated Services Plan for Children and Families ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive summary.............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Perth and Kinross Contextual Information ............................................................................................................................. 6 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Key drivers .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Vision ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Engagement with Children, Young People and Families ......................................................................................................................... 12 Priorities and Actions .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Plan on a page ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Priority themes and Actions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Monitoring and Evaluation ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Governance of the ICSP Activity across Tayside ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Governance of the ICSP Activity within Perth and Kinross...................................................................................................................... 26 Performance Improvement Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Priority 1: Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing .............................................................................................................. 27 Priority 2: Supporting equity ......................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Priority 3: Keeping Children and Young People Safe ................................................................................................................................ 41 Priority 4: Family Support .............................................................................................................................................................................. 46
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3 PKC - GENERAL Performance Framework ..................................................................................................................................................... 50 Core Wellbeing Measures ............................................................................................................................................................................. 51 Other relevant measures............................................................................................................................................................................... 56 Specific measures linked to priority themes ............................................................................................................................................. 57 Glossary ............................................................................................................................................................................. 58 AI tools have been used in the preparation of this document and any accompanying materials. All content has been reviewed by a Council officer for accuracy prior to publication.
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4 PKC - GENERAL Executive summary Over the past several years, the integrated children’s services plan for Perth and Kinross was developed jointly with Tayside local authorities, NHS Tayside and Police Scotland. While this partnership aided cross-border collaboration, demographic and structural differences pose unique challenges for each area. It has therefore been agreed to revert to individual integrated children’s services plans in each area. Where regional collaboration is advantageous, such as priorities across health and protection areas, we will continue partnering to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people and families. As we embark upon the next phase in the evolution of children’s services planning across Perth and Kinross, we are reminded that the wellbeing of children and young people is not only a moral imperative, but a profound responsibility shared by every individual, organisation, and community in Perth and Kinross. The Scottish Government’s ambitions are rooted in the eradication of child poverty, the delivery of holistic, whole family support, and the realisation of The Promise, all of which call upon us to innovate, collaborate, and act with foresight. This plan is a testament to our dedication to these goals, ensuring that the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Population Health Framework 2025-2035 are at the heart of every decision we make and every partnership we forge and strengthen. Our vision is shaped by an unwavering commitment to Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), and to creating an environment where all children and young people can flourish, regardless of their background or circumstance. We recognise that the challenges faced by families today are complex and multifaceted, and that effective support must extend beyond traditional services to embrace the wider determinants of wellbeing. Interfacing with the Community Planning Partnership, we understand the important role that housing, transport, community safety, and other related services play in shaping the environments in which children grow, learn, and aspire. By integrating these services into our planning and delivery, we strive to build a system that is not only responsive, but genuinely working to improve outcomes for children, young people, and their families. The priorities and actions outlined in this plan are the product of extensive data analysis (strategic needs assessment), consultation and engagement. We have listened closely to the voices of children, young people, families, practitioners, and community stakeholders, whose insights have enriched our understanding and informed our approach. Their lived experiences inspire us to pursue equity, inclusion, and early intervention; principles that underpin our statutory aims and guide our collective ambition. We are committed to
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5 PKC - GENERAL safeguarding, supporting, and promoting wellbeing through the GIRFEC wellbeing indicators, and ensuring that interventions, where possible, prevent needs from arising in the first place. We recognise that real progress depends on partnership working and utilising our collective energies and expertise of all those involved in the lives of children and young people. By fostering an atmosphere of trust, openness, and innovation, we aim to create a culture where collaboration is not just encouraged, but how we work by default. The Morgan Review, the ongoing work around population health, and our local context all offer fresh opportunities for learning and improvement. We are determined to harness these opportunities, drawing on evidence, best practice, and the strength of our local communities to deliver better outcomes. As we look ahead, we commit to working across the Children, Young People and Families Partnership, including those with lived experience of using our services to help build a brighter, fairer, and more resilient future; one that empowers every child and young person to realise their potential and fulfil their dreams. This plan is both a roadmap and a call to action, and it is with optimism and ambition that we undertake the work ahead, confident that through partnership and perseverance, we will make GIRFEC a reality for generations to come. Arun Singh Chair of the Perth and Kinross - Children, Young People and Families Partnership (Children’s Services Planning Partnership)
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6 PKC - GENERAL Perth and Kinross Contextual Information
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7 PKC - GENERAL Introduction Purpose of the Integrated Children’s Services Plan (ICSP) Children’s services planning is the mechanism through which the Scottish Government’s ambitions to eradicate child poverty; provide preventative, holistic whole family support; deliver the Promise and improve early childhood development are made real at local level through partnership working. The ICSP is the framework for the joined-up planning of services, so that Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) can be implemented effectively at a local level. Children’s services plans are not just about services directly provided to children, such as education, health, and social care, they also include related services that impact child wellbeing. These related services, such as housing, transport, and community safety, play a crucial role in shaping the environments in which children grow up. In Perth and Kinross, we aim to work in partnership with all services to deliver better outcomes for children, young people, and their families. Statutory aims of Children’s Services Planning: • safeguard, support, and promote wellbeing of children, young people and families (eight GIRFEC wellbeing indicators); • ensure action is taken at the earliest opportunity, and where appropriate, prevent needs arising (Early Intervention and Primary Prevention); • ensure support is experienced as joined up from the point of view of children and families (Integration/Collaboration/Partnership); • constitutes best use of available resources (assets, budgets, workforce) (Best Value)
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8 PKC - GENERAL Key drivers The integrated children’s services plan is shaped by the following national and local policies. Driver (link to source material) Description Further Information and local understanding National Performance Framework Vision for collective wellbeing within Scotland, with a series of indicators that support shared ways of working to improve the lives of people within Scotland. The new proposed framework has six outcomes: Connected, Healthy, Prosperous, Secure, Skilled, Sustainable. National Performance Framework GIRFEC Getting it right for every child outlines the national commitment to provide all children, young people, and their families with the right support at the right time, so that every child and young person can reach their full potential. It provides a consistent framework to improving the wellbeing of children and their families which is used by professionals across a range of services, including shared planning and the role of the Named Person. GIRFEC The Promise The Promise builds on the findings of the Independent Care Review, with activities to support transformation of support for children, young people, families and care- experienced adults (see the Plan 2430). The Promise Whole Family Wellbeing Fund Supports activity of the Promise by transforming support for families to a holistic, early intervention and prevention model, which provides support for families when, where and for as long as it is needed. This fund supports the work of The Promise. Whole Family Wellbeing Fund UNCRC In 2024, Scotland directly incorporated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law. Public authorities have a duty to respect and protect children’s rights in decision-making processes. UNCRC
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9 PKC - GENERAL Child Poverty The most recent Tackling Child Poverty Plan “Bringing Hope, Building Futures,” outlines actions to support parents to enter work, maximise income for families to live dignified lives and support the next generation to thrive. Child Poverty National Guidance for Child Protection This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children. National Guidance for Child Protection Morgan Review Review of the implementation of additional support for learning across Scotland, addressing the significant increase in the number of children and young people identified with ASN in recent years. Morgan Review Population Health Framework The framework sets out activity to improve the health and wellbeing of residents across Scotland, with a focus on improving life expectancy, and the inequality gap. Population Health Framework Perth and Kinross Council Corporate Plan The Corporate Plan sets out our vision for a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality. Perth and Kinross Council Corporate Plan Independent Inquiry into Mental Health Services in Tayside Following widespread concerns raised in the Scottish Parliament in May 2018 about the provision of mental health services in Tayside, NHS Tayside commissioned an Independent Inquiry to examine the accessibility, safety, quality and standards of care provided by all mental health services in Tayside. The Final Report includes nine recommendations for improvement within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Independent Inquiry Tayside Mental Health Services Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy In 2023, the Scottish Government published its long-term vision and approach to improving the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in Scotland. The strategy also acknowledges the role of other key areas such as poverty, housing, and employment. Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Information about other policies and related plans and reporting is available, along with information about delivery and governance at a local level.
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10 PKC - GENERAL Vision Our vision is for a Perth and Kinross where everyone has the opportunity to live a full healthy life, free from poverty and inequality. Through strong partnership working across Perth and Kinross, we will create the conditions to support the wellbeing of every baby, infant, child, and young person. We will work together with families and communities to ensure that all children, regardless of background, circumstance or identity can be heard, grow, learn, and flourish in environments that are nurturing, equitable, trauma-informed and rights-respecting. A Local Whole System Approach The Perth and Kinross ICSP reflects the needs of all children, young people and families in our area, including those facing particular challenges (for example, care experienced children, complex health needs or poverty). The diagram sets out the range of support available and is underpinned by the GIRFEC approach.
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11 PKC - GENERAL Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Between August and October 2025, a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) was carried out, analysing a series of measures relating to the needs of children, young people, and families across Perth and Kinross. This included local demographics, social inequality, pregnancy and birth, infancy and child development, education, mental health and wellbeing, care-experienced children and young people and child protection. These data sets were considered at a workshop with Senior Leaders across the Children’s Services Planning Partnership, with four key priority themes emerging. • Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing • Supporting Equity • Keeping Children and Young People Safe • Family Support The workshop also allowed for: • recognition of existing work underway to improve outcomes for children, young people, and their families, • discussions around how to work better in partnership, particularly across children’s and adult services, and across organisations. • establishing key principles including early intervention and prevention as an underpinning improvement work • Integration of work across cross-cutting agendas to identify added value of working collaboratively
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12 PKC - GENERAL Engagement with Children, Young People and Families
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13 PKC - GENERAL Priorities and Actions
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14 PKC - GENERAL Information from the Strategic Joint Needs Assessment and engagement with professionals, children, young people and families, was used by partners to identify key priorities for change across the Children’s Services Planning Partnership, and related services. Mapping of existing improvement activity (see appendix 2) allowed identification of challenges and areas for improvement, which have been grouped into 4 key priority workstream areas. However, there are also significant connections between subgroups within each workstream, and activities in specific areas are likely to need a collaborative approach. Priority Groups 1. Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing* 2. Supporting Equity 3. Keeping children and young people safe 4. Family Support Where possible, improvement activities within the plan link with existing partnerships and collaborative working networks (e.g. Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Child Protection Committee, Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership), which is essential for tackling complex, cross-cutting issues such as poverty, health inequalities, and child protection. It allows us to: • Pool expertise, resources and data, leading to more effective services, • Create seamless, joined up support for families, where and when they need it, • Share accountability and collective problem solving. *Activity within Workstream 1 is being progressed at a Tayside-wide level.
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15 PKC - GENERAL Plan on a page
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16 PKC - GENERAL Improvement Process For each of the priority areas, a range of improvement activities have been identified and agreed by partners. Whilst specific activity is being undertaken in each area (see Performance Improvement Plans), we recognise that a common theme across all priority areas is the need to adequately support, train and develop staff working with children, young people and their families to ensure an understanding of the key issues faced by families, based on a trauma-informed and person-centred approach, and the embedding of a holistic approach that families experience as “joined-up” support. Life Course Approach The life course approach is a way of understanding people’s health and wellbeing by looking at how experiences, environments, and influences across their entire lives shape outcomes. It recognises that early life conditions, key transitions, and accumulated advantages or challenges all interact to affect future health and opportunities. Different life stages are interconnected, and experiences in one stage can have a significant impact on others. However, understanding of the critical stages, transitions, and settings where impacts can be made in supporting health and wellbeing allow us to take a more holistic approach to providing support for families, thus reducing inequalities, and promoting positive development at every stage of life. In the plan, the life course is split into the following stages: Early years 0-5, Children 6-11, Young people 12-18, Adults 19-64, Older adults 65+. Figure 1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health- matters-life-course-approach-to-prevention/health-matters- prevention-a-life-course-approach
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17 PKC - GENERAL Priority themes and Actions All activities are underpinned by the key themes of early intervention, prevention and child poverty: • Early intervention helps identify emerging needs early and provides timely support before difficulties escalate into crisis. • Prevention-focused approaches reduce the likelihood of harm and improve long-term outcomes for children and young people, including wellbeing, learning, and relationships. • Investing in early help is also more effective and sustainable, strengthening families and communities while reducing the need for intensive and costly statutory services later. • Recognition that points of transition (e.g. between services, from child to adult) are challenging for children and young people, causing emotional distress and uncertainty as they leave familiar routines and trusted adults behind. • Financial hardship can be a root cause of stress, causing reduced access to essentials, and poorer health and education outcomes, increasing the likelihood that children will need support. • Recognising the impact of poverty on families also helps services design more effective, trauma-informed interventions that address underlying barriers (such as income maximisation, housing, and food insecurity) rather than treating symptoms alone. • Deliver the actions contained within our Corporate Parenting Plan, which reflects the ambition of The Promise. The Promise Route maps give guidance on how Local Authorities will meet The Promise by 2030.
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18 PKC - GENERAL Priority 1: Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing Focus Why is this important? Supporting children in their first 1,001 days • Just under a third of domestic abuse starts or escalates during pregnancy. Maternal stress can cause foetal distress and impact the child’s developing brain, potentially resulting in reduced and impaired functioning. • Early years lay the foundations for lifelong health, learning and wellbeing, as this is the period when the brain and core systems develop fastest, shaping future outcomes. Mental Health • Mental health influences every aspect of life and impacts how people think, feel and act. • Good mental health fosters better relationships, improves physical health, boosts productivity, and enhances overall quality of life. • Good mental health is influenced by social, economic, environmental, physical, and individual factors. Healthy Weight • Childhood obesity leads to an increased risk of obesity in adult life and a concomitant increase in the likelihood of developing multiple long-term conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease. Together this results in a reduction in healthy life expectancy, premature death and significant personal, healthcare, social and financial costs. • In children and young people, obesity is associated with stigma, discrimination, behavioural problems, lower self-esteem and impaired academic attainment. Childhood Immunisations • Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. • Vaccines help to stop diseases spreading to people who cannot have vaccines. • Childhood vaccination coverage is lower than the national average for most of the vaccines provided, e.g. Perth and Kinross is at risk of falling below the 95% target needed to prevent measles spreading.
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19 PKC - GENERAL Focus Why is this important? Teenage Pregnancy • Young parents are more likely to leave school early or struggle to continue their education, which can limit future job opportunities and long‑term financial stability. • Teen mothers face higher risks of pregnancy‑related complications, and both young parents may experience stress, anxiety, and social isolation due to the pressures of early parenthood. • Young parents are more likely to experience poverty, rely on support services, and face stigma or judgement, which can affect their confidence, relationships, and overall life chances. Priority 2: Supporting equity Focus Why is this important? Neurodevelopmental Support • Early identification and intervention improve long-term outcomes, helping children address developmental challenges before they significantly impact learning, behaviour, and wellbeing. • Rising numbers and the increasing complexity of neurodevelopmental needs mean that without the right support, many children experience barriers to learning and participation. • Effective neurodevelopmental support relies on strong partnership working, ensuring children and families receive timely, coordinated assessments and consistent support across education, health, and social care, with access to specialist services when needed. Transitions • Transitions can significantly affect wellbeing, learning and relationships, and without the right support children may face barriers to participation, confidence, and achievement. • Many children with additional or emerging needs are particularly vulnerable during transitions, as changes in environment, expectations or relationships can exacerbate existing challenges. • Effective transitions rely on strong partnership working across services, ensuring assessments, information-sharing and support are well-coordinated so children and families experience continuity and stability.
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20 PKC - GENERAL Focus Why is this important? Early Child Development • Early support helps prevent developmental difficulties from becoming entrenched, with nurturing care, stimulation, nutrition, and safety shown to be critical for healthy development. • Investing in early child development reduces inequality and improves long-term life chances, helping break cycles of poverty and supporting children to reach their full potential. Use of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) to empower families • Family Group Decision making allows families to make decisions and choices which impact on their success. • FGDM strengthens family ownership and engagement. It puts children and families at the centre of planning, helping them feel heard and respected, which increases trust, commitment to plans, and the likelihood of sustainable outcomes. • This can lead to more effective, culturally appropriate solutions. By drawing on family strengths, networks and lived experience, decisions are more realistic, tailored to the family’s context, and often reduce reliance on statutory or crisis-led interventions. Improve outcomes for Care-experienced children and young people • By improving wellbeing and stability for care-experienced children and young people, they are more likely to feel safe, supported and emotionally secure, leading to better mental health, resilience and stability in placements and relationships. • With the right support, they achieve improved attainment, stronger aspirations, and more positive transitions into adulthood, including increased confidence, skills and sustained connections with trusted adults. • By ensuring the needs of our care experienced population are met, and providing stability and security at an early stage, we will support these young people to realise their full potential as adults and future parents.
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21 PKC - GENERAL Priority 3: Keeping Children and Young People Safe Focus Why is this important? Alcohol and Substance Use Reduction • Alcohol and substance use is rising among young people, with increases in alcohol and drug related hospital admissions and notable proportions of pupils reporting regular smoking of cannabis, vaping, drinking and trying illegal drugs, all of which highlight significant risks to health, safety, and long-term wellbeing. • Patterns of multi-substance use, and increased complexity (including higher risk drugs such as ketamine and synthetic cannabinoids) create additional vulnerabilities and escalate the likelihood of harm, making prevention and early intervention critical. • Parental alcohol and substance use remains a factor in child protection concerns, meaning reducing use not only protects children directly but also strengthens family stability and safeguarding. Maternal Substance Use in Pregnancy • The increased proportion of women consuming alcohol and drugs whilst pregnant poses serious risks for babies (e.g. low birth weight) which can cause long-term health issues. • It can also lead to increased vulnerability and developmental concerns, as exposure to alcohol or drugs in the womb can impact the baby’s brain and physical development. • Rising levels of substance use in pregnancy highlight the need for early identification and coordinated support, given the significant impact on infant health and wellbeing. Online Safety and Wellbeing • Children and young people are increasingly exposed to harmful online content, including bullying, inappropriate material that is sexually harmful or exploitative, socially or relationally harmful, emotionally or psychologically harmful; all of which pose risks to their safety and wellbeing. • Problematic or risky online behaviour is linked to poorer mental health and wellbeing, with evidence showing that exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying and pressure from social media can negatively affect confidence, stress levels, and emotional development.
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22 PKC - GENERAL Focus Why is this important? • Advances in technology, such as deepfakes and AI-generated content, create new risks, making it harder for young people to recognise manipulation or harmful interactions, and increasing the need for awareness, education, and protective measures. Domestic Abuse • Exposure to domestic abuse in the home increases safeguarding risks, as domestic abuse is a recognised factor that contributes to child protection concerns and can undermine children’s safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing. • Rates of domestic abuse incidents have been rising locally, with a 25% increase in reported incidents over the past eight years, highlighting the growing scale of harm affecting families and the need for coordinated prevention and support. Bairns’ Hoose • Bairns’ Hoose brings together child protection, health, justice, and recovery services in one child friendly setting, ensuring children do not have to navigate multiple agencies or locations to receive support. • The model is trauma-informed, and rights based, grounded in UNCRC principles, and designed to provide safe, consistent, and holistic support to child victims and witnesses. • It reflects Scotland’s GIRFEC approach, creating a coordinated, multi-agency framework that prioritises early, preventative, and joined-up support around each child. Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) • The Scottish Child Interview Model is a trauma-informed, child-centred approach designed to place the needs and rights of children at the heart of joint investigative interviews. • SCIM interviews are jointly conducted by specially trained police officers and social workers, using tailored planning and practice to support children to share their experiences safely. • The model aims to achieve the child’s best evidence while reducing the risk of re- traumatisation, ensuring interviews take place in a calm, supportive environment.
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23 PKC - GENERAL Focus Why is this important? Care arrangements • There is a national shortage of Foster Carers and Adoptive Parents. To ensure that children receive the best care possible in situations where they are unable to remain within their birth family, focus and resources to recruit carers continues to be a priority. • To support young people moving into independence, there needs to be a variety of accommodation options which are supported and meet young people’s needs. Locally, the Youth Housing Support Group monitors and co-ordinates supported accommodation to maximise provision. Supporting children and young people through transitions • Points of transitions carry risks for children and young people whether that is from childhood to teens or on to independent life. Improving coordination around key transitions points can reduce those risks.
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24 PKC - GENERAL Priority 4: Family Support Focus Why is this important? Holistic Family Support • Holistic support focuses on the whole family’s needs, aligning with Whole Family Wellbeing and The Promise principles that emphasise providing help “when, where and for as long as it is needed,” ensuring challenges are addressed together rather than in isolation. • It improves access, coordination, and consistency across services, increasing availability of support and strengthening collaboration so families experience joined-up, person-centred help rather than fragmented interventions. • Holistic approaches contribute to long-term positive outcomes, enabling families to build on strengths, reduce crisis escalation, and benefit from preventative, early-intervention responses that support stability and wellbeing. Togetherness (Whole School Solihull Approach) • The Togetherness programme supports emotional health and wellbeing across the whole school community, focusing on relationships and nurturing connected, sensitive and responsive interactions for children, young people, and staff. • It provides a shared, evidence-based framework for understanding behaviour and emotional development, integrating core concepts such as containment, reciprocity, and behaviour management to help staff interpret behaviour as communication and respond consistently. • It builds whole-school capacity by equipping all staff, from teachers to support teams, with skills and confidence to engage families and pupils effectively, improving emotional wellbeing, strengthening relationships, and supporting early intervention. Peer Support for Parents • Parents gain emotional support and a sense of connection, with studies showing that peer groups help reduce isolation and provide “emotional liberation” through shared understanding and meaningful connections. • Peer support helps parents develop new insights, knowledge, and practical coping skills, giving them confidence, improving problem-solving, and supporting positive changes in parenting behaviours.
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25 PKC - GENERAL Focus Why is this important? • It can strengthen the parent–child relationship, as parents report improved wellbeing, more effective support for their children, and greater ability to navigate challenges when they feel empowered and understood by peers. Support for Young Carers • Young carers face higher risks of poorer health, wellbeing, education and social outcomes compared with their peers, making early and sustained support essential to prevent long-term disadvantage. • Providing appropriate support reduces inappropriate or excessive caring responsibilities, helping to protect young carers’ development and wellbeing by ensuring they are not taking on roles that negatively impact childhood. • Supportive services—such as peer groups, school-based help, and trusted adult support— improve young carers’ resilience, mental health, and ability to participate fully in education and community life.
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26 PKC - GENERAL Monitoring and Evaluation Governance of the ICSP Activity across Tayside Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing has been agreed as a theme in the Children’s Services Planning Partnerships in Angus and Dundee as well as locally. In light of the actions to be progressed in this priority area, it has been agreed that NHS Tayside will chair this group across the partnership areas. This will support a collaborative approach, avoiding duplication. Governance of the ICSP Activity within Perth and Kinross Integrated Children’s Services Plans are governed under Part 3 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, which places legal duties on local authorities and health boards to work collaboratively and ensure that planning and delivery of children’s services are integrated, preventative and focused on improving wellbeing. In Perth and Kinross, governance is delivered through our Children, Young People and Families Partnership (CYPFP), which brings together key partners to coordinate and oversee the development of the Plan, and monitor the implementation of actions within the plan. Each of the priority groups will report to the CYPFP on an annual basis, and the Chair of each group will be a core member of the ICSP/GIRFEC Operational Steering Group. Annual reports on progress will be shared between partners and with Scottish Government.
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27 PKC - GENERAL Performance Improvement Plan In addition to the activity outlined in the Performance Improvement Plan below, activity to improve services that impact on children, young people and their families are also being taken forward within various strategies and plans locally that align with key government strategies. To monitor performance, it will be necessary to repeat the Health and Wellbeing Census locally. Priority 1: Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years Childhood immunisations • Childhood immunisation is a key universal preventative intervention. While uptake of early infant vaccines remains relatively strong, there is a recognised challenge in sustaining uptake beyond the first year of life, particularly completion of pre‑school immunisations such as MMR. Inequalities in uptake persist in areas of higher deprivation and population mobility • Work in partnership across health, early years and education to improve access to routine childhood immunisation services, strengthen follow‑up where children do not attend appointments, and promote immunisation at every appropriate contact with families. • Activity will align with wider early intervention and family support approaches. • Improved access to routine childhood immunisation services across Perth and Kinross • Increased completion of pre‑school immunisations and reduced inequalities in uptake. • Children and families are supported to access timely immunisation, helping to prevent avoidable illness and improve long‑term health and wellbeing. • Using ‘Make Every Contact Count’ approach to increase engagement with immunisation information. • Increase rates of childhood immunisation, maintaining high uptake of the 6‑in‑1 vaccine at 24 months, and improving MMR uptake at 24 months to at least the Scottish average, with continued progress thereafter, by 2029
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28 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Children, Young People Child Healthy Weight • The proportion of children in P1 who are at risk of overweight/ obesity is 25.5% for school year 2024/25 (an increase from 23.5% for 2023/24). • Almost a quarter of children do not meet recommended activity levels, with lower levels of activity amongst older children and young people. • Implementation of the Tayside Child Healthy Weight Strategy • Development of Perth and Kinross Good Food Nation Plan that supports the vision for Children, and Young People in Perth and Kinross to grow up with access to healthy, safe, and nutritious foods that are appropriate to their age, developmental stage, and cultural background. • Development and implementation of weight- management support for families (see ambition 4 of the Tayside Child Healthy Weight Strategy). • Support schools and partners to have the confidence to raise the subject of healthy weight and support onward referrals to appropriate pathways. • Parents and carers easily able to access advice and support about feeding infants and young children. • The food environment in Scotland supports parents and carers to provide children with a healthy diet, essential to support growth and development. • Staff working with children and young people are more confident in raising the issue of healthy weight and are supported to make onward referrals. • Increase the proportion of children in P1 with a healthy weight. • Reduce inequality in healthy weight across the most and least deprived quintile of Perth and Kinross population • Reduced drop-off in breastfeeding from birth to 6-8 weeks. • Increased uptake of school meals • Increased number of children and young people participating in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.
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29 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Young People, Adults Mental Health • Mental wellbeing for young people and adults has declined over the last 15 years. • Strengthen relationships and partnership working across CAMHS, PKC and third sector partners to ensure children, young people and families have clear and streamlined pathways to support, including options for children and young people who do not meet the CAMHS referral criteria or who have co-occurring conditions or who are neurodivergent. • As per the CAMHS National Service Specification facilitate joint development day for key multi-agency staff. • To improve timely access to specialist mental health services, PKC and CAMHS, and adult Mental Health Services will work together to ensure those managing referrals are appropriately trained and informed about the most appropriate • Staged intervention pathways which clearly articulates the supports and services available by different services to children, young people and families across universal, additional and specialist need. • Development day for PKC, NHS Tayside and Third Sector staff. • Training is developed and undertaken. • Details of supports/services including how to access are shared online in one place. • Provide face-to-face and online Decider Skills training. • Provide online training and in-person information sessions on sleep. • Shared Pathways and resources published
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30 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets support/service to meet the needs of families and how to access these. • Working collaboratively improve Eating Disorder Support and deliver • National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders. • Upskill professionals, parents and carers, third sector and community partners by delivering a range of training and supporting resources to help create capacity in multiple systems. • Spread and Scale successful pilot of ‘Every Body Can Dance’ to improve self- confidence and body image of children in P6/7. • Working with partners including the HSCP, deliver KidsTime Workshops to support children and young people of parents with a mental illness. • Pilot ‘Sound Sleep’ in selected Primary Schools to teach children and their parents/carers about sleep. • Pilot embedding sleep into Personal, Social and Health Education in selected Secondary Schools. • Every Body Can Dance has successfully been delivered to multiple cohorts in two primary schools. Early evaluation shows meaningful positive change. Options for scaling this project with partners should be explored. • Workshops delivered. • Up to 15 families engaging with workshops. • Families feeling better supported.
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31 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years, Adults Health Visiting Pathway • Recognition of health visitors as key partners in early intervention and prevention work linked to poverty and wellbeing. • Implementation of the National Health Visiting Pathway 2025-2035 • Provide training and support to Health Visitors and Early Years Practitioners to improve early identification of developmental concerns. • Develop a skilled, confident workforce and enhance capacity to meet the needs of families. • Improved health visitor coverage data Early Years Early Child Development • Reduced coverage of child development reviews for 4–5-year- olds in 2023/24. • The proportion of children with developmental concern has declined at 13-15m and 27-30m stages in the last year but has increased for 4-5yo. There are significant differences between girls and boys, with large gaps also linked to social inequality. Speech and language remain a key concern. • Actively engage in the public health messages from the National Early Years Communication Team and locally held public health information supported by partners including Allied Health Professionals • Provide immediate access to information and advice to parents and professionals from the Allied Health Professional Service on Gross and Fine motor development, play development and communication. • Provide Developmental Language Disorder awareness and strategy • Develop resources for use by professionals and parents to support child development. • Monitor and report on the number of professionals, parents and carers who have accessed information and advice from SLT/AHPs. • Number and type of professionals completing training • Improve parents’ and professionals’ confidence in identifying early developmental concerns • Developmental concerns seen at 27-30 months is reduced to 13.4% or below by 2030 (in line with the National Early Childhood Development Transformation Programme target)
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32 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets • 81% of children with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) have undetected speech, language and communication needs. training for education staff and other professionals. Early Years, Children, Young People Reducing teenage pregnancy and improving sexual health and wellbeing • Teenage pregnancy is a complex issue that is influenced by life circumstances, social and cultural factors, including parental attitudes and family environment, the media and perceptions of social norms, as well as by self-esteem and risk-taking behaviours. • Teenage pregnancy is closely associated with deprivation. From a peak in 2007 to 2021, teenage pregnancy rates in Scotland reduced by 62% however the most • Pilot a model to support life course prevention and improved sexual and reproductive wellbeing across communities encompassing: • Support for teachers, workers and parents/carers to confidently discuss sex and relationships • Support for staff working with young people considered more vulnerable (ASN, young parents, care experienced YP, off-site education) • Improved access to sexual and reproductive health interventions in communities • Teachers and workers have increased confidence to discuss sex and relationships • Parents and carers supported to discuss sex and relationships and services available • Young People report improved satisfaction with RSHP • Increased uptake of SRH interventions: condoms / STI testing / contraception • Reduction in STI rates and equity gaps • Reduce teenage conception in target communities year on year • Reduced termination of pregnancy in target communities
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33 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets recent data demonstrates that rates have increased slightly over the last two reporting years. • NHS Tayside has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Scotland (32.6 per 1000 v 25.8 per 1000). The rate of teenage pregnancy in Perth and Kinross is below the Scottish average (21.6 per 1000). and via specialist sexual health clinical services
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34 PKC - GENERAL Priority 2: Supporting equity Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years Early Child Development • The proportion of children with developmental concerns has shown increases in the last year. • There are significant differences between girls and boys, with large gaps also linked to social inequality. • Speech and language concerns remain the greatest concern, along with gross motor skills in younger children, and emotional/ behavioural difficulties as children get older. • An increased number of children are presenting for P1 not toilet trained and lacking independence skills. • Improve earlier identification of ASN in early years • Improve collaborative assessment, planning and sharing of information to support needs to be met at earliest point • Work with key partners to enhance cross sector understanding and consistency of referral for family supports. • Map out and agree key interventions to enhance developmental milestone targets. • Improve access to support to meet the holistic needs of families, including mental health • Deliver information and interventions to enable parents to support their child to be toilet trained • A more coordinated and consistent trauma responsive early years system, reducing duplication. • An effective information system is shared to support children to have their needs met as early as possible • Accessible information and support on toilet training is available for parents • An early years staged intervention framework is in place to enable families to access the least intrusive support at the earliest opportunity • Outcome –An increased proportion of children have met their developmental milestones and are prepare for school. • Reduce number of children requiring personal care support for toileting at N4, N5 and P1 • Reduce the number of children not meeting developmental milestones at 4- 5yr review
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35 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Children, Young People Neuro- developmental (ND) Support* • There is an increasing trend in the proportion of both primary and secondary pupils with ASN from 6051 in 2022 to 7716 (43.4%) in the 2025 pupil census. The proportion of children and young people identified as autistic and requiring additional support increased from 583 in 2022 to 814 in 2025. • Work at both a Tayside and Perth and Kinross level with key partners from NHS Tayside, PKC and the voluntary sector to implement a whole family ND support framework, ensuring access to timely support regardless of diagnostic status, with pathways into assessment and specialist services where appropriate. • Work across statutory partners to develop understanding of neuro- affirming practice and environments and implement improvements • Develop community supports and messages that build a neuro-affirming community • Upskill professionals, volunteers and community members about neurodivergence to increase knowledge and confidence • A coherent support and triage system • Clear and accessible diagnostic assessment routes, with shared understanding across services of when these are required. Neuro-affirming practice and environments are evident within statutory and 3rd sector organisations • A range of activities inclusive of neurodivergent children and young people are provided in schools, services and communities • Outcome - Neurodivergent children and young people and their families feel supported and able to achieve equitable outcomes in relation to health, wellbeing and educational outcomes. • Number of people attending training. • Number of people reporting increased confidence in • Satisfaction of families provided with support through triage system • Number accessing the diagnostic pathway • Improved attendance of children and young people ASN and reduced gap (ASN and all) • Improved attainment of children and young people ASN/Reduced gap (ASN and all) • Improved sustained destinations and reduced gap (ASN and all)
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36 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets supporting children, young people and parents/carers. supporting neurodivergent people. Young People Post-School Transitions • The number of young people with complex ASN in secondary schools is rising. Projections from primary aged school children indicates that the numbers of young people requiring enhanced or intensive transition planning into adulthood will remain relatively static, however the needs of the young people are anticipated to become more complex over the next 10 years. • Local services within health and social care and within disability social work teams are already stretched as they meet the needs of the current adult • Improve earlier identification of young people likely to require coordinated support into adulthood and information sharing across education, NHS, HSCP and social work. • Improve collaborative assessment, information sharing and planning to ensure needs are known early and parents and partners have access to relevant information • Capitalise on place based integrated teams through locality working to improve local options for young people, including supported paid employment opportunities. • Ensure all staff involved in transition assessment and planning for young people with disabilities have • Clear pathways established for effective multi-agency collaboration in transition planning, including transitions from child to adult services • The voice and needs of young people and families are central to the planning for activity and supports after school, including accessible and relevant training and employment opportunities • Increased staff confidence in leading transition planning for young people with disabilities • Self-evaluation across services will evidence improvements in realising the 7 principles of effective transitions. • Increased use of the Compass App will support young people, parents and • Improved sustained engagement in post-school activity and experience for young people with disabilities • Improved multi- agency collaboration and confidence in the co-ordination of support across all services (Principle 2) • Through of the COMPASS App, young people and their families will report increased confidence in having access to the information
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37 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets population and manage the needs of adults with complex disability into older age. • A small number of families report one parent having to give up work to provide care to their young person after they leave school. completed specific training on planning for effective transitions. • Inform NHS Tayside, HSCP and social work teams forward planning by continuing to develop understanding of number and needs of young people in PKC schools who are diagnosed or presenting with likely intellectual disability. services to have useful information and provide data on use and confidence. • Through use of My World of Work all young people will develop a profile that supports a successful and sustained transition. they need (Principle 5) and they have the support they need (Principle 6) • Improved positive destinations data Children, Young People Support for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs • Annual SEEMiS census data highlights a sustained increase in Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs (SEBN) across early years, primary and secondary settings. • Needs are presenting earlier and with greater complexity, affecting wellbeing, engagement, attendance and behaviour. • Engagement with existing provision and stakeholders to identify strengths and priority areas for improvement. • Consider three operational delivery options: • Maintain the current model. • An all-through full-time specialist SEBN school with satellite bases. • A hybrid model of specialist education bases in mainstream schools and • A clear, trauma-informed SEBN pathway aligned to staged intervention, with consistent guidance and expectations for schools. • Schools confidently delivering earlier and more appropriate support for children and young people at Universal, Additional and Enhanced levels. • A defined, targeted intensive SEBN offer for those requiring higher levels of support. • All schools to be using an agreed trauma-informed SEBN pathway and staged intervention model • Increase the proportion of SEBN needs met at Universal and Enhanced levels within mainstream settings.
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38 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets • A clearer, trauma-informed and consistent staged approach is required, alongside robust, fit-for-purpose specialist support for children and young people with SEBN to enable them to have the best possible health, wellbeing and educational outcomes and positive post- school destinations. specialist provision supported by partner services. • Complete tests of change to explore feasibility of a more localised, mainstream-based model that takes account of environmental constraints. • Increase understanding of best practice, literature and research. • Complete a data audit to ensure SEBN data is accurate and consistent, to inform clear guidance for schools. • Strengthen multi-agency and family support to support earlier intervention, flexible delivery, and improved transitions beyond school. • Agree and implement agreed operational delivery model by August 2027. • Reduced escalation to crisis and specialist placements, through strengthened early intervention and consistency of practice. • Improved wellbeing, engagement, attendance and inclusion of children with SEBN, with more consistent outcomes across localities. • A skilled and confident workforce, with shared understanding of SEBN, thresholds and approaches across all stages. • Reduce the number of children and young people with SEBN requiring independent special school placements. • Improved workforce confidence and consistency (via survey or evaluation). • Improved attendance • Reduced exclusions • Reduced distressed, challenging, violent or aggressive incidents Improved wellbeing
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39 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years, Children, Young People, Adults Integrated service delivery in localities • Delivering support for the children, young people and families who require it, in or close to their own localities • Utilise multi-disciplinary networks across Fairer Futures areas to deliver holistic wrap-around support to families in most need • Implement place-based resourcing within Education and Learning to establish locality teams of peripatetic staff. • Develop new ways to reach families and deliver support at a local level, in local, safe and familiar settings – No wrong door • Make use of support and connect training and the FORT referral system to guide families to the support they need • Services report greater awareness of each other • Effective systems are in place to share appropriate information and access support for children, young people and families • Families able to access the help they need more easily – reflected in feedback through regular lived experience engagement • Higher referral rates through FORT • Services have higher engagement rates • Service specific targets for referrals, support • Qualitative feedback gathered through Fairer Futures Early Years Children, Young People, Adults Family Group Decision Making • We need to continue to empower families to make decisions about their lives. • Ensure that all children and young people who are on the edge of care have the opportunity to have a FGDM process • Children, young people and families are more involved in decisions that affect them • Reduced number of children and young people becoming looked after
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40 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years Children, Young People Outcomes for Care experienced children and young people • We need to ensure that children and young people who are not meeting their milestones are given additional support to maximise their potential • Improved identification and sharing of information between services • Shared knowledge of what additional support is being offered. • Professionals have a better understanding of the support needed for care experienced children and young people. • Children and young people receive support to maintain attendance and engagement in school • Improved attendance and attainment • Increase in children meeting their developmental milestones
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41 PKC - GENERAL Priority 3: Keeping Children and Young People Safe Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Children, Young People, Adults Whole System (School) Approach to Substance Use Reduction • Increases in alcohol- related hospital admissions 11-25yo (although mostly in 18+ ages) • Increases in drug- related hospital admissions 11-25yo. • Changing picture of drugs being used – e.g. increase in use of cocaine, along with increasing complexity of drug use (multi- substance) • Increase in child protection concerns where parentally alcohol and substance use are a contributing factor • Raise awareness among all school pupils about the impact of substance use and the services that support in this area. • Deliver targeted sessions in schools to children and young people who are at greatest risk of using substances to share information on services and gain the perspectives of young people. • Strengthened parental and community engagement. • An increase in staff confidence to respond to and offer early intervention/ help. • An improvement in children’s and young people’s knowledge around impact of substance use and awareness of available support. • Strengthened multi-agency collaboration and improved pathways to support. • A reduction in anti-social behaviour and substance use in children and young people. Children, Young People, Adults Implement Scottish Government “Standards for Young People • Implementation of new standards (published December 2025) • Need for a collective understanding across • Through the ADP Children, Young People and Families Subgroup, create a short life working group to review the current position and • Young people feel more supported when they need help and support with alcohol and/or drugs. • Improved quality of services • Improved provision of services
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42 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Accessing Support for Alcohol or Drugs” services working with children and young people oversee the implementation of standards not already implemented. • Fewer young people have problems with alcohol and drugs. Early Years, Young People, Adults Maternal Substance Use in Pregnancy • Small upward trend of drug use during pregnancy - 0.5 percent compared to 0.15 in 2019/20 • Continue to identify substance misuse in pregnancy at an early stage and to co-ordinate early support to women and their unborn babies through the Unborn Baby Multi-Agency Steering Group, with strategic oversight and support from the ADP. • Improve Practitioner’s knowledge and awareness of substance misuse in pregnancy and the impact this can have on the unborn baby. • Improved referral and support pathways • An improvement in practitioners’ confidence to identify substance use in pregnancy and a greater understanding of the impact this can have. • A reduction in the trend of drug use during pregnancy. Children, Young People, Adults Problematic Social Media Use /Education • Links between online use, online bullying, accessing inappropriate content (CSE, sextortion, pornography, radicalisation, gambling), impact of AI • Continue to deliver the Safer Schools approach, which aims to improve digital well-being and online safety for pupils. This approach is overseen by a steering group within Education and Learning. • An increase in the numbers of schools participating in the Safer Schools Approach. • An improvement in the online safety of children and young people and fewer adverse effects of • Reduced problematic use of digital devices • Increased awareness amongst children and young people
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43 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets (e.g. deepfakes) with links to poorer mental health and wellbeing. social media on their health and well-being. of potential online risks Children, Young People, Adults Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation • National Inquiry to be undertaken to determine prevalence of Group Based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation to establish prevalence and system responses • Provide generic and bespoke CSAE training to front-line practitioners and review our multi-agency processes for identifying and responding to CSAE risks. • Raise awareness of CSAE among all children and young people and deliver targeted supports to those who are especially vulnerable, such as Looked After or Care Experienced children. • An improvement in the ability and confidence of practitioners to recognise and respond to CSAE risks. • Children and Young People at risk of CSE or Group Based CSAE are identified early and receive additional supports. • Reduced cases of CSAE and Group Based CSAE Children, Young People, Adults Violence against Women and Girls • Increase in the rate of domestic abuse incidents reported to the police (25% increase in last 8 years) • Continue to promote the Safe and Together model across services and to provide practitioners with the skills and knowledge they need to respond effectively to domestic violence • Continue to co-ordinate risk assessment and safety • Practitioners have increased knowledge and understanding of the MARAC process and know how and when to refer and are confident to identify when women and girls are at high risk of harm from domestic violence. • Decrease the rate of domestic abuse incidents
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44 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets planning for high-risk victims of domestic violence through the MARAC process and improve practitioners’ awareness and understanding of MARAC. • Develop early intervention and prevention approaches to reduce the prevalence of male violence against women and girls. • A reduction in repeat referrals to MARAC. • An improvement in Practitioners’ confidence to respond to early signs of domestic violence, including when young people are the victims/perpetrators. Early Years, Children, Young People, Adults Bairns’ Hoose and SCIM • Tayside wide approach to support children who have experienced abuse, violence or exploitation using a trauma informed approach with an emphasis on children’s rights and avoiding re- traumatisation • Deliver holistic and trauma- informed support to children and young people and their families who are involved in the IRD process through continued implementation of the Bairns’ Hoose Standards. • Continue to seek feedback from children and young people about their experiences of the child protection process and involve them more greatly in the ongoing development of the Bairns Hoose. • Children, young people and their families have a positive experience of support through the Bairns’ Hoose approach. • Children and young people are actively involved in the ongoing development of Bairns Hoose. • Maximum numbers of children and young people are interviewed using the SCIM approach. • Outcome information on the work of SLTs within Bairn’s Hoose (including • Fewer children and young people are required to attend court as a result of the SCIM approach.
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45 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets • Continue to use the SCIM model as the default approach to interviewing children and young people who may have been victims of abuse, harm or neglect and create capacity for additional Social Workers and Police Officers to be trained in the SCIM model. pre-interview reports with recommendations, resources, awareness- raising and strategy information sessions). Early Years Children, Young People Support for Kinship and Foster Carers • Whilst we have managed to reduce our purchased placements, the need to recruit carers and improve matching continues. • We need to continue to support our kinship carers in the community in which they live • Recruitment campaign for foster care fortnight and beyond is an ongoing priority to ensure children are supported and plans are progressed. • We have begun work with third sector to identify and support developments in local communities • Improve permanence planning timescales • 1 kinship support group in each of the 5 localities • Increased number of registered foster carers and placements • Reduced placement breakdown.
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46 PKC - GENERAL Priority 4: Family Support Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years. Children, Young People, Adults, Older People Holistic Family Support (Whole Family Wellbeing Fund) • Increasing access to holistic family support is a key focus of WFWF activity and is closely linked with GIREC and Keeping the Promise. • Increased early intervention support is linked to decreases in the number of children who are looked after/ subject to child protection processes. • By increasing the availability of support that families can opt-in to (rather than be referred by services), support can be provided at various stages of need, and before issues escalate to crisis point. Availability and Access to Support • Increase awareness of support available to families • Increase capacity within Universal support services to deliver support where and when it is needed. • Increase in the availability of whole family support • Increase in children, young people and families accessing universal early help and support that is delivered where and when it meets families’ needs • Children, young people and families are more aware of how to access support when they need it. • Improve family wellbeing (see Performance Framework) • Reduce inequalities in family wellbeing • Decrease the number of families requiring crisis intervention • Decrease the number of children and young people living away from their families • Increase the number of families taking up wider support (e.g. financial, employability, mental health and wellbeing)
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47 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets Early Years. Children, Young People, Adults, Older People Holistic Family Support (Whole Family Wellbeing Fund) • As above • Families rarely experience difficulties in isolation, and providing a holistic approach for families minimises the number of services in contact with a family, allowing support to be more “joined up”. Whole System Approach • Increase partnership and collaboration between services to deliver holistic support • Expand use of locally based multi-agency services coordinating support • Staff are supported to develop skills and confidence in providing holistic support (including signposting) • Staff are encouraged and empowered to develop innovative family support solutions • Better collective awareness of available support and how to access it • Support is experienced as “joined up” by service users • Increased collaboration between services and organisations that support families • Staff are more confident in discussing and responding to the needs of children, young people and families. • Key principles of holistic family support, early intervention and prevention are embedded within structures and systems • As above Early Years. Children, Young People, Adults, Older People Holistic Family Support (Whole Family Wellbeing Fund) • As above Children, young people and families at the heart of support • Establish routes of engagement with children, young people and their families to better understand need in different localities • Collect feedback and evaluation of services • Families are provided with choice about support and are involved in decisions that affect them • There is increased engagement with, and participation from children, young people and families in developing services and support • As above
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48 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets funded by WFWF, and use to improve the quality of service delivery • Increase use of Child Impact Assessments as a mechanism for understanding the wishes of children and young people accessing support Children, Young People, Adults Togetherness (Solihull Approach) • Providing staff across schools with skills to support pupils with the increased complexity of needs, emotional and behavioural issues and wellbeing issues seen across stages. • Development of training programme for delivery in Perth and Kinross Schools • Pilot and evaluation of Togetherness training at one secondary school within Perth and Kinross • Roll-out of training across Perth and Kinross Schools • Integration with existing training programmes, and with other delivery partners • An improvement in the ability and confidence of practitioners to recognise and respond to the wellbeing needs of pupils • Improvement in pupil behaviour, attendance and attainment across schools participating in the training Adults Peer Support for Parents • Response to requests from parents to have better opportunities to link with other parents, to reduce isolation and increase confidence in their parenting skills. • Identify opportunities to develop and deliver staff- facilitated peer support sessions • Link with partners to better share information about sessions that are already • Reduced isolation amongst parents. • Increased confidence in parenting skills • Increased knowledge and awareness of services that • Facilitated groups operating across locality areas
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49 PKC - GENERAL Life Stage Theme Context Improvement activity Outputs and outcomes Targets available (e.g. ASN, wellbeing, carers, parenting, recovery groups etc.) are available to support families Children, Young People, Adults Young Carers • When young people are required to take on too many caring responsibilities, or conduct caring roles that are not appropriate, there can be limiting or adverse effects on their health and overall wellbeing. • Increasing numbers of young carers. In Perth and Kinross there were 475 children and young people between the ages of 3-15y with a caring responsibility, and a further 887 between the ages of 16-24y (Census 2022). In 2025, 758 young carers were registered with PKAVS Young Carers. • Increase use of Young Carers Statements as appropriate • Work creatively with schools to support young carers in education and reduce the attainment gap • Provide a variety of community-based activities (respite) for young carers to make their own choices about needs and interests. • Support young carers and their families where the caring role has an impact on wellbeing. • Embed work to identify young carers at an early stage through improved training • Increase in number of Young Carers Statements • Increased attendance at young carers support groups • Increased variety of community and respite opportunities available for young carers • Reduction in the number of young carers who say they feel isolated. • Increased number of young carers and their families signposted/referred to other services. • Increase in the numbers of professionals trained to identify and support young carers. • Improved attendance and attainment amongst young carers • Improved mental wellbeing amongst young carers
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50 PKC - GENERAL Performance Framework The Children, Young People and Families Outcomes Framework outlines a series of measures that allow focus on the impact of improvement actions linked to the planning and delivery of services, support and improvement activity, and to ensure a consistent approach to local and national and local reporting. The framework consists of: • 8 overarching Wellbeing Outcomes (SHANARRI indicators) • Underpinning Shared Aims which reflect the policies, service delivery and supports that impact on child wellbeing across the “My World Triangle” • A set of 21 core Wellbeing Indicators which act as high level, holistic measures covering key aspects of wellbeing using nationally available data. A list of these indicators, with links to SHANARRI and UNCRC articles is available. Whilst these indicators have been included in our Performance Framework, changes may be attributed to improvement work being undertaken across a range of strategies and plans. A range of other indicators will also be developed to ensure that the wider picture of progress across children’s services can be seen.
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51 PKC - GENERAL Core Wellbeing Measures The Integrated Children’s Services Plan Performance Framework contains a number of key performance indicators that are linked to the activities within the ICSP and other related improvement plans, and mapped against GIRFEC Wellbeing indicators, and UNCRC. Health and Wellbeing Census (2021-22) The Health and Wellbeing Census collected data from 16 local authority areas; therefore, averaged comparative data is shown as “overall” (rather than for Scotland). As the census has not been repeated at this time, no trend data is available for each measure and therefore the data is shown as a snapshot. To capture future performance data a repeat exercise will be required locally. How I grow and develop CSP Indicator Theme Measure Data PK Data Overall Narrative 5 Play/leisure activities % S1-S3 children who participate in positive leisure activities 80% 78% Little difference between boys and girls. Lower participation in areas of higher deprivation 6 Physical activity % P5-S6 children who had at least one hour of exercise the day before 57% 59% Boys more likely to be active. Clear trend with deprivation, with lower levels of activity in areas of higher deprivation. 7 Diet % P5-S6 children who eat both fruit and vegetables every day 27% 22% Girls more likely to eat both fruits and vegetables compared with boys. Clear gradient seen in terms of deprivation for both (e.g. vegetables SIMD1=23%, SIMD5=42%) 8 Mental wellbeing Mean score on Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Score (WEMWBS) (S2 to S6) 44.9 45.4 Lowest in S4 (42.9), and amongst girls (42.1). Lower among SIMD1 and SIMD2. 9 Mental health Percentage of S2-S6 children with slightly raised, high or very high SDQ score. 47% 47% Highest in S4 and amongst girls. Higher in areas of lower deprivation
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52 PKC - GENERAL What I need from the people that look after me CSP Indicator Theme Measure Data PK Data Overall Narrative 10 Trusted adult Percentage of P5-S5 children who say they always have an adult in their life who they can trust and talk to about any personal problems 67% 67% Slightly higher proportion of males agree. Children in areas of higher deprivation are less likely to say they have a trusted adult. 11 Peer relationships Percentage of P5-S3 children who agree that their friends treat them well 85% 84% No consistent difference between boys/girls or different levels of deprivation. 13 Involvement in decision making Percentage of P5-S6 children who agree that adults are good at taking what they say into account 56% 57% Boys more likely to agree than girls. No clear trend in deprivation 14 Bullying Percentage of P5-S3 children who were bullied in last year 33% 31% Slightly higher proportion of girls. Children in deprived areas are more likely to say they have been bullied. Higher among younger pupils.
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53 PKC - GENERAL My wider world CSP Indicator Theme Measure Data PK Data Overall Narrative 18 Neighbourhood satisfaction Percentage of P5-S6 children who agree that their local area is a good place to live 71% 66% Boys slightly more likely to agree. Much lower (47%) in areas of higher deprivation. 20 Digital inclusion Percentage of P7-S6 children who have access to the internet at home or on a phone or another device 98% 98% No consistent difference between boys/girls or different levels of deprivation 21 Neighbourhood safety Percentage of P5-S6 children who say they feel safe when out in their local area always or most of the time 89% 87% Boys slightly more likely to agree. Much lower (78%) in areas of higher deprivation
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54 PKC - GENERAL Other Core Wellbeing Indicators Measure 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Analysis Children with a concern at the 27–30-month review (%) 12.5 11.5 15.5 13.5 17.3 17.4 14.7 16.2 The proportion of children with at least one developmental concern recorded has increased in the last year following a decrease in the previous year. PK values are still below the national average (16.5%). There remain clear differences between girls and boys, and areas of higher and lower deprivation (with gaps widening in the last year). The Speech and Language domain continues to have the highest proportion of concerns. P1, P4, P7 children achieving expected CfE levels in literacy (%) 66.5 65.8 Nd 64.7 68.0 70.8 72.7 75.0 Overall performance in numeracy and literacy has increased over recent years but is still slightly below national data. Data for 2019/20 was not collected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. P1, P4, P7 children achieving expected CfE levels in numeracy (%) - 72.3 Nd 72.4 75.9 77.1 78.8 81.2 As above Participation rates for 16– 19-year-olds (%) 94 93 95 94 94 93 93 94 Participation rates measure the proportion of 16–19-year-olds that are engaged in learning, training, or working. Rates have been broadly consistent across the last few years and are in line with national values. Settings providing funded ELC achieving Care Inspectorate grades of good 94 95 89 86 88 93 95 98 This measure has been largely above national average since 2014-15 but dipped below in 2019-20. However there has been a continued
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55 PKC - GENERAL Measure 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Analysis or better across all 4 quality themes (%) improvement since 2022 and is now above national data (9pp in 2024/25). Proportion of children living in poverty (after housing costs) (%) 22 21 23 19 22 22 19 - The proportion of children in poverty is slightly lower than national average, and despite decreasing in 2021 we have seen slight increases since then. This is in line with the national picture. Housing security - Children in temporary accommodation on 31 March (rate per 10,000 aged 0-15 y) 16.4 10.2 6.2 2.1 6.3 14.7 6.3 6.3 The proportion of children in temporary accommodation within Perth and Kinross is significantly lower than the national average. Rates have been increasing since 2021/22 which may reflect issues such as the cost-of- living crisis, and housing Ukrainian families displaced due to conflict, but have reduced in 2023-24.
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56 PKC - GENERAL Other relevant measures Measure 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Analysis Rate of children looked after on 31 July (per 1000 children 0-17y) 10.3 10.4 10.6 10.6 10.4 9.0 8.9 9.3 The rate of children who are looked after decreased between 2021 and 2024 but has shown a slight increase in the last year. Children looked after in the community (balance of care) (%) 95 96 96 96 94 94 95 95 The proportion of children who are looked after in the community has remained broadly stable over the period shown. However, although children would ideally remain with their parents, we are seeing an increase in the complexity of cases where children are looked after at home, and this still requires a high degree of support from social work. Looked after children with 3 or more placements within the year (%) 7 11 4 8 5 8 8 - We have seen fluctuations in the proportion of looked after children having 3 or more placements over the last few years. Whilst this rate is higher than the national data, it only represents a small number of children (fewer than 25) and as a result small changes cause larger fluctuations in calculated rates. Rate of children on the Child Protection Register (CPR)(per 1000 children) 2.8 2.9 3.5 2.4 1.9 1.8 1.6 0.7 Since 2012, the rate of children on the Child Protection Register rose to a high point in 2020 but has been decreasing since. It is now at the lowest level since 2020. NB Calculations of rate changed in 2023 (rate of 0-17 y now used instead of rate of 0-15y). Data for previous years has been updated to reflect this change in methodology.
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57 PKC - GENERAL Specific measures linked to priority themes As part of development work within each of the priority theme areas, further measures may be identified that will be used to measure outcomes and impact of specific activities. These will be presented in the annual report as appropriate.
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58 PKC - GENERAL Glossary Abbreviation Full name Abbreviation Full name ADP Alcohol and Drug Partnership MMR Measles, Mumps and Rubella AHP Allied Health Professional ND Neurodevelopmental AI Artificial Intelligence PKAVS Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service ASN Additional Support Needs PKC Perth and Kinross Council CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services RSHP Relationships, Sexual Sealth and Parenthood education CfE Curriculum for Excellence SCIM Scottish Child Interview Model CPR Child Protection Register SDQ Standards and Difficulties Questionnaire CSAE Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation SEBN Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs CYPFP Children Young People and Families Partnership SEEMiS Scottish Education Management Information System ELC Early Learning Centre SG Scottish Government FGDM Family Group Decision Making SHANARRI Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, and Included FORT Fast Online Referral Tracking SIMD Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation GIRFEC Getting it Right for Every Child SLT Speech and Language Therapy HSCP Health and Social Care Partnership SRH Sexual and Reproductive Health HV Health Visitor STI Sexually Transmitted Infection ICSP Integrated Children's Services Plan UNCRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child JSNA Joint Strategic Needs Assessment WFWF Whole Family Wellbeing Fund MARAC Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference YP Young People