Appendix 2 - Tayside Plan for Infants, Children, Young People and Families 2023-2026 Report on Progress 2025-26
Perth and Kinross Council · 16 September 2026
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 16 September 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 Appendix 2 - Tayside Plan for Infants, Children, Young People & Families 2023-2026 Report on Progress 2025-26 Introduction The report sets out progress made by partners in the implementation of the Tayside Plan for Infants, Children, Young People and Families 2023- 26, towards the outcomes set out in the Plan. Progress updates are provided for outcomes detailed in the ‘What will success look like’ column within the plan and where available, updates are also provided for baseline data. Some updates reflect progress made by individual local authorities, reflecting different practice in each area. The remaining updates are presented for all Tayside, reflecting operational structures of partner agencies. Narrative updates are provided for the time period August 2025 to April 2026. Baseline statistical data is presented against different reporting periods, depending on standard reporting cycles and how the data was articulated in the original plan. In general, all data relating to early years, attainment and attendance is reflective of academic years. Data provided for Children’s Social Work, Housing and NHS measures is presented by financial year.
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2 TAYPLAN-2326-001 Our children will have the best start in life Ensure clear pathways are in place for early identification of need in children pre-birth to age 3 With specific attention to: • Pre-birth support pathways • Transition pathways into early years settings for children with significant early concerns in relation to their development or emerging additional support needs Progress Updates (i)Families with identified needs are matched with support at an early stage:- Baseline data – unborn baby referrals per quarter. Data for Feb-April 2023: Angus 40; Dundee 46; Perth and Kinross 27 Data for Feb-April 2024: Angus 49; Dundee 44; Perth and Kinross 23 Data for Feb-April 2025: Angus 23; Dundee 46; Perth and Kinross 29 Data for Feb-April 2026: Not yet available Angus Each local authority has a well-established multi-agency approach to consider referrals for unborn babies. Angus receives referrals via the Pre-birth Resource Allocation Meeting (PRAM) with 6 monthly reports submitted to our Protecting People Angus Strategic Committee’s (PPASC) Practice and Policy subgroup. Between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025 133 women were referred to PRAM. Between 1 August 2025 and 13 March 2026 83 women were referred to PRAM.
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3 The overall PRAM referral outcomes were: Direct Referral to social work 46% Discussed at PRAM meeting 54% Non continuing/confirmed pregnancy 0% Dundee City Partners in Dundee continue to implement the Tayside Concern for Unborn Baby Protocol and the Tayside Multi – Agency Practitioners: Concern for Unborn Babies Guidance as a means of identifying vulnerabilities and emerging child protection concerns for unborn babies. Between April 2025 and March 2026 there were 199 Unborn baby referrals submitted to Dundee’s Multi Agency Screening Hub. This is an increase from 174 the previous year. 9. Following initial screening processes 72 resulted in a direct referral to Children and Families Social Work for a prebirth assessment and support. This support was provided by the New Beginnings Service, the Care and Protection Intake Service or, Locality Children and Families Teams when there was a pre-existing social work intervention with a parent and their children. The remaining referrals were supported by Universal Services. Throughout the year 2025-26, 14% of children subject to Child Protection Registration were Unborn Babies. The most prominent reasons for Registration were Parental / Carer mental ill health, parental drug use, domestic abuse and neglect. 57 % of these children were able to be deregistered with a 6-month period of initial CP registration. 37% of Child Protection Orders related to infants within 1 week of birth. This is a 3 % reduction on the previous 12 months. Following support, over the last 2 years 44% of unborn babies whose names were removed from the Child Protection Register are now residing in the care of a parent without any ongoing Child Protection Registration or other statutory intervention.
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4 Outcomes for unborn children referred to New Beginnings throughout 2024 / 2025 show that following their birth 81% were able to remain or return to the care of their birth parents. Our partnership continues to support the development of the Voice of the Infant and the implementation of the Infant Pledge. This has included involvement in the production of “Hello in There Wee One”, a universal resource available to all parents to encourage pre-birth bonding with their baby. The service continues to promote strong links and consultancy between our Social Work Teams and NHS Tayside Infant Mental Health Team. This promotes both the development of attachment between parent and child as well as the voice of the infant being better represented in social work assessments and decision making. There are plans to undertake some joint development work with Scottish Children Hearing Panel members on this. As support to vulnerable families with babies and infants remains a key priority, the partnership has also allocated Whole Family Wellbeing Fund (WFWF) funding to 2 initiatives focused on early years in Alternatives Counselling for women with emotional health concerns and the Birch Project for parents who have previously experienced the removal of a child from their care. More details on these and other WFWF funding initiatives are outlined in the table on page 15 and going forward, the partnership will retain a focus on early years via the development of a multi-disciplinary local place-based approach programme, which will include a targeted approach towards the 6 Child Poverty priority groups. Perth & Kinross During 2025/26, the Unborn Baby Multi-Agency Screening Group (MASG) has focused on the most vulnerable unborn babies across Perth and Kinross. Since January 2025, a total of 129 cases have been considered, with 60 cases reviewed between September 2025 and March 2026. Each case is assessed to determine the most appropriate level of intervention to safeguard the unborn child and support the family effectively. The First Steps Team continues to work collaboratively with statutory and third-sector partners, including Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Community Nurses (Perth & Kinross) and Aberlour’s Intensive Perinatal Support Service (TIPS). This multi-agency approach ensures that families receive coordinated, needs-led support during pregnancy and the early postnatal period.
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5 Aberlour’s Intensive Perinatal Support Service (TIPS) provides targeted, outreach-based support to women during pregnancy and up to their child’s first birthday. The service works with pregnant women and families experiencing complex circumstances that may affect their ability to safely care for their child. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, substance use and mental health difficulties. The overarching aim of TIPS is to promote family preservation by strengthening parenting capacity and enabling mothers to care for their babies safely within the home environment wherever possible. In Perth, referrals to the service are made through Social Work locality teams. Since October 2025, the First Steps Team has made seven referrals to TIPS. Of these, six women were assessed as suitable and are currently receiving support. Key characteristics of women supported through the service include: 83% are affected by substance use, with cocaine identified as the most prevalent substance. 67% have reported experiences of domestic abuse. 100% have a diagnosed mental health condition and are either receiving treatment or actively engaged with mental health services. In addition to this provision, services across Perth and Kinross have established strong working relationships with the Birch Project, which is currently supporting 11 highly vulnerable women. These women are identified as being at high risk of multiple pregnancies, with a significant likelihood of child removal at birth due to the level of risk posed to the child. The partnership aims to reduce repeat removals and improve long-term outcomes for both women and children.
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6 (ii)Reduced number of concerns identified at 27-30 month review compared to 13-15 month review: Baseline data: children identified with concerns at 13-15 and 27-30 months. 2020-2021: Angus 13.4%, 16%; Dundee 16.6%, 17.5%; Perth and Kinross 15%, 16.6% 2021-2022: Angus 12.4%, 16.3%, Dundee 16.3%, 17.3%, Perth and Kinross 15.2%, 17.3% 2022-2023: Angus 13.5%, 17.4%; Dundee 13.2%, 18.2%; Perth and Kinross 14.6%, 17.4% 2023-2024: Angus 15.3%, 17%; Dundee 16.4%, 17.9%; Perth and Kinross 12.17%, 16.7% 2024-2025: Angus 15.3%, 19.9%, Dundee 14.9%, 18.4%, Perth and Kinross 16.7%, 16.2% (iii)Increase the percentage of children aged 3-5 newly enrolled in LA ELC for whom significant concerns were raised prior to enrolment. Baseline Data: Percentage of children for whom significant concerns were raised prior to enrolment. Tayside 3-5-year old intake TRIC 2022 2022 % 2023 2023 % 2024 2024 % 2025 2025 % Newly enrolled 2,392 70% 1,722 39% 1,658 38% 1,439 38% Significant early concerns 183 8% 251 15% 238 14% 202 14% brought to attention prior 93 51% 128 51% 135 57% 126 62% The data shown above is for the three Tayside local authorities combined. In 2025, the percentage of children with concerns being identified prior to enrolment increased by 5 percentage points (pp). (iv) Infant mental health is understood and promoted This is an outcome of the Solihull (now named Togetherness) training programme, further details are provided below.
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7 Our children will have the best start in life We will provide accessible, responsive, and flexible parenting support Progress Updates (i) Increased availability of the Solihull (Togetherness) programme. Baseline data: number of staff trained: 2023-2024 Angus 93; Dundee 32; Perth & Kinross 38; NHS 39. 2024-2025 Angus 109; Dundee 37; Perth & Kinross 40; NHS Tayside 47 2025-2026 Angus 36; Dundee 77; Perth & Kinross 32; NHS Tayside 145 Angus As almost all Angus ELC staff have been trained in the Togetherness approach, this year three Foundation Level Togetherness training sessions were planned. Three sessions have been delivered with 36 staff trained. One Togetherness in Practice session, to embed foundation training, was delivered was 8 staff attending. One further session will be delivered in March 2026. 16 people from Angus registered as learners on the Togetherness online learning pathways. To improve direct parental access to Togetherness in Angus the Family Nurture Support Team (FNST) were trained to lead Togetherness Understanding your baby and Togetherness Understanding your child groups, in September 2025. Two Understanding your child groups are currently being delivered. Dundee Solihull Approach Training, now known as Togetherness Training (2025 – 2026 to date). 40 staff have participated in the Togetherness Training 48 staff have participated in the Togetherness Refresher Training. 1 staff member has participated in Togetherness Train the Trainer, which provides a total of 6 staff having completed Togetherness Train the Trainer and will contribute to developing a sustainable
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8 Perth and Kinross 34 practitioners were trained across six separate Togetherness (Solihull Approach) training sessions. These sessions were delivered to multi-disciplinary groups of professionals, ensuring a collaborative and consistent approach to supporting children and families. Participants included School Nurses, Senior Social Care Officers (SSCOs), Outreach Teachers, Early Childhood Practitioners, External partner staff including third sector agencies. The Parenting & Family Learning Team also facilitate access to the Solihull (Now togetherness) Online Courses, through promoting these courses and signposting parents and carers to the online support, the parenting and family learning team have supported 1914 parents/carers to register with the support since 2020. NHS Tayside In 2025 2 training sessions have been held with 11 staff completing the training -4 HVs, 2 Social Workers, 4 School Nurses and 1 CEYPs Nurse. Sessions are planned for once a quarter but due to low uptake, 2 sessions were cancelled. Currently 14 HV and EYWs are outstanding with training due to being new into post (<6months) and therefore planning for 2026 sessions are underway. (ii) Increased range and uptake of supports and services available to families in local communities. Baseline data - local monitoring of Whole Family Wellbeing Plans Angus The Family Nurture Support Team (FNST) have further developed their links with all Angus ELC settings in 2025-26 with a link worker connected to each setting. They continue to support the training and development of Angus ELC staff through delivering training at In-service days which focuses on supporting parents to enhance children’s learning and development at home. The Family Nurture Support Team also engage with parents and carers across Angus through a number of programmes as detailed in table below:
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9 Group Number of Groups Number of Parents Carers Outcomes Cothú 1 8 100% of attendees were extremely likely to recommend Cothú to a friend. 100% of attendees who had attended other groups aimed at parents of Autistic children said they felt Cothú was much more useful. Incredible years 3 23 79% have an improved strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) score at the end of the groups. Incredible Years Autism and Language Delay pilot 1 10 9.62% improvement in tool to measure parenting self-efficacy (TOPSE) for attendees. Five to Thrive 5 48 Parental knowledge of brain development increased by 36% after attending a Five to Thrive Group. 100% of parents who attended would recommend the group to others. PEEP 8 71 100% of parents reported Peep had helped them support their child’s talking and listening skills. Eat Well Play Well 4 40 100% of parents increased their confidence in cooking from scratch. Triple P Online 35 35 3 families have completed all 8 modules with support from the team. Holiday Food & Fun Sessions 7 18 Families enjoyed the opportunity to try a range of healthy activities and spend time with other families.
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10 The Family Nurture Support Team continue to diversify support to meet the identified needs of the parents in communities, including delivering Cothú, a neuro-affirming parent group and Tiny Voices Together group where parents and carers focus on the development of their baby’s communication. Angus now deliver 2’s Together, funded early learning and childcare for parents, carers and their eligible 2-year-old to play and learn together. This focuses on enhancing children’s learning and development, with parental support tailored to the needs of each family. During 2025–26, Angus continued to progress the delivery of the Whole Family Wellbeing (WFW) Programme as a key element of transforming local support for children, young people and families. The programme remained aligned to national expectations set out through The Promise and the Scottish Government’s principles for holistic whole‑family support, emphasising early intervention, non‑stigmatising access, and provision tailored to the needs of individual families. Governance of the programme continued through the Angus Integrated Children’s Services Partnership (AICSP), supported by established delegated authority arrangements for the allocation and monitoring of WFW funding. A significant focus of the reporting year was the implementation of the 2025–26 funding cycle. The Whole Family Wellbeing Fund was relaunched in July 2025, with comprehensive communication across council and community channels to encourage applications from voluntary and community organisations, statutory partners, and locally based support providers. The offer included both small grants (up to £25,000, administered by Voluntary Action Angus) and large grants (up to £50,000, administered by Angus Council), with the fund aimed at supporting innovative, preventative and collaborative approaches for families most in need. Distribution of the first tranche of small‑grant funding (£100,000) was confirmed in January 2026, with plans for release of the second tranche following committee consideration in April. Large‑grant applications were assessed and concluded in early 2026. Four organisations were awarded funding—Parent to Parent, Angus Carers, the Early Years Service, and the Dundee & Angus ADHD Support Group—with awards ranging from £42,804 to £50,000. Evaluation scores and decision‑making notes were recorded through the DASH system to support transparency and ongoing monitoring. The year also saw substantial progress in the development and mobilisation of the Enhanced Support Project (ESP), a core component of the local programme. Following a competitive tender, Home‑Start Angus commenced delivery of the new coordinator service on 1 November 2025, with full staffing in place by January 2026. The service focuses on early identification of need, holistic assessment, and coordinated matching of pregnant women and their families to
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11 appropriate supports, addressing gaps for those who do not meet statutory thresholds but require structured, preventative interventions. Operational and evaluation frameworks for the ESP continued to be refined throughout the period, supported by data‑collection processes and early feedback from partners. Across the wider programme, infrastructure to support monitoring and learning strengthened significantly. Baseline data requirements and reporting templates for all funded agencies were finalised, with monthly reporting commencing from January 2026. Workshops and technical support sessions were delivered to ensure providers were able to meet expectations, and a community of practice began to form around shared reflective activity and analysis of early findings. Financial planning and monitoring remained an important feature of the year’s work. Projections for sustaining core elements of the WFW plan were shared with national colleagues, estimating a requirement of approximately £777,299 should funding continue beyond 2026–27. Routine operational processes—including contract monitoring, payment approvals, and financial oversight for commissioned services—were maintained throughout the reporting period. Finally, Angus noted emerging national direction in March 2026, including Scottish Government proposals to integrate the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding Programme, Fairer Futures Partnerships and Early Adopter areas into a single Whole Family Support system change programme from April 2027. Dundee Details on the allocation of WFWF funding and activity are outlined in the table below, and show a range of activity designed to either maximise the impact of existing services or provide new support to priority groups. It includes 6 initiatives which will either build the capacity of and/or reconfigure and/or improve access to services, such as: 1. Out-of-hours Social Work support 2. Development of an Advocacy Strategy 3. Development of a Volunteer Strategy 4. New multi-disciplinary hub for adolescents 5. Together to Thrive focus on enhancing workforce skills to address neurodevelopmental concerns 6. Fast Online Referral Tracking triage system
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12 Other projects involved in the direct delivery of new services are focused on early years, children with a disability, transitions from primary to secondary school, healthy eating, employability and family literacy. They are each actively supporting families and showing promise in respect of engagement and improved outcomes. Details in table below Organisation Local Priority BID Focus Description Impact Alternative Counselling and Listening Rooms Awarded in phase 1 Early Years, Emotional Health and Wellbeing £88,000 New mental health support to vulnerable expectant women who will struggle during pregnancy and possibly afterwards, mirroring priorities on early years, vulnerable woman and CP. 0-5's on Child Protection Register and in care Advice Infrastructure Awarded in phase 3 Inequalities and families at risk of harm £108,000 To reinstate the Fast Online Referral Tracking (FORT) triage function for a coordinated partnership system and to accelerate access to services. Maximising resources and swifter access Dundee Bairns Awarded in phase 2 Inequalities , Child Poverty and Child Healthy Weight £238,000 For a capacity building approach towards child healthy weight and expansion of tea clubs in Primary Schools. Reduce or mitigate poverty DCC and partners (Crichton Street Hub) Awarded in phase 2 Inequalities and Vulnerable Adolescen ts £442,000 For renovation and running costs for the co-location of a multi-disciplinary team at Crichton Street. This was the largest bid and has both CSPP commitment and SG approval Child protection; balance of care
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13 DCC Discover Work Awarded in phase 3 School Attendanc e and Vulnerable Adolescen ts £205,000 To support coordination of approaches towards Youth Participation, by integrating into senior education leader’s approach to post-school transition. Positive Destinations/Youth Participation Dundee Rep Theatre phase 3 Early Years and Inequalities £156,000 A new early intervention Creative Family Wellbeing Service offering out-of-hours wellbeing workshops, dramatherapy sessions and psychoeducational support for those experiencing trauma. Poverty DVVA phase 2 Inequalities , School Attendanc e and Vulnerable Adolescen ts £186,000 For the coordination and maximisation of multiple volunteer services across the city, with a view to consistent volunteer development, career pathways and targeting of support. Maximising Resources DIAS and Partners phase 2 Inequalities , School Attendanc e and Vulnerable Adolescen ts £219,000 For the coordination and maximisation of multiple advocacy services across the city. This reflects the inequalities and advocacy priorities and anticipates pending human rights requirements. Maximising Resources
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14 Mental Health Foundation – Together to Thrive phase 1 Inequalities and Emotional Health & Wellbeing £314,000 A capacity building Together to Thrive model with NHST CAMHS and DCC to build the confidence and competence of key staff when responding to concerns in primary aged children. Primary Age National literacy Trust Dundee and Partners phase 1 Inequalities and Literacy £135,000 Whole family Talk and Play Together literacy initiative which builds literacy skills and strengthens family relationships, mirroring priorities on literacy, family support and transitions to secondary school. Primary Age What Matters to You phase 2 Child Poverty, Inequalities , School Attendanc e, Vulnerable Adolescen ts and Child Healthy Weight £44,000 A 12-month post to support data collation, analysis and learning in the 2 pilot sites, feeding into both lcpps. A total place whole family approach. Maximising Resources The Yard and Partners (2) phase 2 Inequalities and children £98,000 For additional support provided to pupils with ASN transitioning from Primary to Secondary school. Disability and ASN
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15 with a disability Tayside Council on Alcohol phase 1 Early Years and vulnerable women £662,000 Extended holistic support to women at risk of pregnancy and having a child removed from their care and support to their partners, mirroring priorities relating to early years, vulnerable women and child protection. Child protection and number of children in care The Yard and Partners (1) Phase 1 Child poverty and children with a disability £133,000 New support for families with disabled children during school holidays, mirroring priorities relating to children and young people with additional support needs and a disproportionate number of children with a disability requiring alternative care. New partnership approach with dcc (holiday programme partnership) Disability and ASN Perth & Kinross The Families Empowering Communities project was awarded funding from the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund. This enabled our early intervention, community-based family support project to expand the offer of support into 3 new communities across Perth and Kinross. The project is operational in Letham, Crieff, Bertha Park, Muirton & North Muirton, Blairgowrie and Rattray, Voice is central to this ensuring that children, young people and adults are heard and have influence and decision- making power empowering them to design the supports they need.
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16 The project promotes positive wellbeing through supportive, connected communities. By being place-based and easily accessible, support is given at an early intervention stage rather than waiting until crisis point. Our Whole Family Support focuses on supporting families who are on the edge of statutory involvement or who are no longer requiring statutory intervention. Our support also enables parents to be more engaged with their children’s learning through offering SCQF national level 2 & 3 and 4 qualifications, thus reducing the attainment gap and promoting family learning opportunities. Taking a holistic viewpoint highlights the interconnected needs of all family members, thus enabling tailored support, unique to each family and responsive to their changing circumstances. Universal activities enable families to feel connected to their wider community thus promoting a sense of wellbeing, inclusion and purpose. Working in partnership with families, local services and organisations ensures that we are making best use of existing community supports. This further allows communities to be more empowered and able to influence and shape future supports. Our one-to-one parental support is designed to enable parents to feel more confident, capable and supported in their parenting role, and to promote positive outcomes for both parents and children. Our offer has 4 differing support themes, these include; • Building parenting skills/strengthening the parent/child relationship • Providing emotional support • Addressing specific issues • Support to access other relevant services Our project also has a commitment to upholding the articles within the UNCRC with a particular emphasis on articles 2, 3, 12, 13, 15, 19, 27 and 31 which are firmly imbedded in practice. Our one-to-one parental support is another of the many ways in which we can ensure children’s rights are upheld. This can be by supporting parents to have a more involved role in their child’s education, health and other key development needs. The rights of children to play, grow and prosper as they should with the support of safe, loving caregivers is this project.
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17 As a new project, how we gather our data has changed and improved. One measure of who we are working with is to use the priority families classification. Details in table below Priority families data for FEC 8 9 20 31 15 20 Children from ethnic minority groups Care experienced children and young people Young carers Children supported by a Children's Plan Children with ASN Children who have undergone significant transitions, for example starting ELC, primary or secondary 35 47 30 7 20 23 Lone parent family Children from other low- income families Children from families with a disabled adult or child Children from families with a young mother (under 25) Children from families with a child under 1 year old Children from larger families (3+ children)
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18 YEAR April 2025 1st March 2026 families Empowering Communities Families Adults Children Individuals Incidences of participation 1 to 1 with Families (targeted) 69 74 100 174 Events (universal) 221 182 403 Group Work Beyond Incredible Family Fun & Feast Dads group Small steps big smiles Place standard feedback (family and children) Thursday Group Careful Connections Coffee & CAMHS 42 51 225 276 566 Families Incidences of support Number of referral agencies Sign posting to other services/supports 105 223 42
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19 (iii) Evidence of engagement and involvement of fathers/those in a fathering role in children's health, education and child's plans. Angus The focus of activity during 2025/26 has been on moving beyond awareness-raising into more consistent, embedded practice that actively supports fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives. While strong foundations were established previously, this year has seen clearer progress in translating this into day-to-day operational approaches across services. Across social work, there has been a deliberate shift towards ensuring that fathers are identified and included from the earliest point of contact with families. This has been supported through strengthened case management processes and increased consistency across duty arrangements, helping to ensure fathers have earlier and more meaningful opportunities to contribute to planning and decision-making. Where joint parental engagement is not possible, services are increasingly adapting their approach to ensure fathers can still participate and have their views represented. Alongside this, there has been a continued emphasis on improving how services communicate with and involve fathers more routinely. Health partners have progressed work to ensure that non-resident fathers can receive relevant information about their child and are developing systems, including father-specific records, to mirror the information traditionally held for mothers. This reflects a broader system shift towards recognising fathers as equal partners in their child’s care. In practice, there has also been a move towards more targeted and practical engagement approaches. A pilot within an Arbroath primary school is testing new ways of involving fathers through school-based activity, combining opportunities for volunteering with access to wider support around issues such as finances, housing and appointments. While at an early stage, this model is beginning to demonstrate how engagement can be strengthened through flexible, relationship-based approaches that respond to wider family needs.
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20 Workforce development has remained a key enabler of progress. Training using the Roots to Change methodology has supported practitioners to build confidence and skills in working more effectively with men, particularly where there are complexities around behaviour or relationships. This is contributing to a gradual cultural shift, with increasing recognition across services of the importance of proactively engaging fathers rather than relying on traditional patterns of involvement. There has also been a stronger focus on listening to fathers directly. Activity during the year has included the development of participation groups and the use of surveys to better understand fathers’ experiences of services, alongside specific work to identify and respond to “invisible dads” who may previously have been overlooked. This is beginning to provide a clearer evidence base to inform future service design. At a strategic level, the multi-agency Involving Dads group remains central to driving this agenda, although the year has highlighted the importance of strengthening consistent engagement and representation across all partners. Work is underway to refresh governance arrangements, re-establish regular oversight, and use a planned development session to align priorities and set a clear improvement trajectory for the next phase. Overall, the position in 2025/26 reflects a programme that is maturing. The emphasis is now less on identifying the importance of fathers’ involvement and more on embedding this systematically across services, testing and refining practical models of engagement, and strengthening the evidence base to demonstrate impact. Dundee In Dundee, procedures relating to planning meetings to ensure that both parents are proactively involved in planning for their children have been updated. Data of attendance at meetings is positive. Senior Officers meet with any parent when it is assessed they cannot attend meetings to ensure they are involved in planning processes. No further update received.
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21 Perth & Kinross From 01.04.25 to 31.03.26 there were 14 applications for support for fathers, on a one-to one basis. A fathers group takes place fortnightly during term-time. This is a small group with 4 unique participants and 72 incidences of participation. In January 2026, Families empowering Communities conducted a short survey to gain a better understanding of fathers’ engagement within their child’s school community and to identify ways in which involvement could be made more accessible and meaningful. A total of 80 fathers participated and shared their views. The findings showed that the majority of respondents (90%) lived with their children, and 70% reported feeling included in the school community. However, among those who did not feel included, the main barriers identified were work- related commitments and challenges linked to their relationship with the mother of their children. Our children will have the best start in life We will refine the Early Years tracking tool and embed use across Tayside from 2025-26 Progress Updates Angus All Angus Council and contracted provider ELC settings are embedding the use of the Pupil Tracking tool to track developmental milestones and attainment for funded children aged 2-5. Contracted childminders use a similar format which is accessible to them. All providers track children’s progress and development. They use the data to plan targeted support and challenge for individuals and groups of children. In 2025-26 all staff had the opportunity to engage in training to deliver high quality interventions and ensure effective targeted support for children who are not meeting their developmental milestones. In response to tracker data, this has focused on staff’s support for the development of children’s early language and communication. Quads and triads of Lead and Senior Early Years Practitioners from almost all local authority and partner provider settings have engaged moderation of the tracker data across Angus. This has led to increased consistency in the approach to the use of data to provide effective support and challenge for children across the Local Authority.
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22 Dundee Tools for capturing children’s learning, development and progress for children aged 2 – 3 years and 3 – 5 years are fully implemented and embedded across all Local Authority Early Years settings. All Funded Provider settings have access to both tools, with implementation being optional. There has been an increase in uptake and implementation from Funded Provider ELC settings during 2025 – 2026. Professional learning opportunities are focused on approaches to capture children’s learning, development and progress, and are offered to all Local Authority and Funded Provider ELC settings on a regular basis. This supports settings to ensure that professional dialogue and reference to traces of learning informs implementation and effective use of these tools. As a result, settings are supported to consider the sensitive and meaningful interpretation of information available within the tool and use this to inform planning, improvement and interventions as part of a cyclical approach to child centred pedagogy and improvement. It is noteworthy that all Local Authority ELC settings use this tool and approach and have been graded as Good or better in inspections. Perth & Kinross This tracking tool is now fully embedded within all Perth and Kinross settings and data is being used to inform targeted interventions which is demonstrating progress over time. These tests of change driven by data-informed decision making have resulted in a reduction in the gap between SIMDQ1 and SIMD Q5 of 27pp between 2023/24 and 2024/25. The tool has now been moved to an EDMS site which is accessible to all providers whether PKC or partner provider. This ensures security of data and minimising risks associated with the transfer of data over email. Our children will have the best start in life We will repeat the transitions survey in 2024-25 to measure the impact of new pathways and inform next steps Progress Updates The transitions survey has not been repeated in 2025-26
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23 TAYPLAN-2326-002 Our children and young people will achieve and make positive contributions to communities We will implement effective strategies to increase school attendance Progress Updates (i) Increased attendance across all groups. (ii) Increased attendance and attainment for children living in SIMD 1 and /or looked after at home Baseline data (Reported in LGBF, data is combined for primary and secondary): Overall attendance 2020-2021 – Angus 92.8%; Dundee 90.6%; Perth and Kinross 91.9% Data not published in 2021-22 Overall attendance 2022-2023 – Angus 90.5%; Dundee 88.6%; Perth and Kinross 90.4% Overall attendance 2023-2024 – Angus 90.7%; Dundee 88.9%; Perth and Kinross 90.2% Overall attendance 2024-25 – Angus 91.5%; Dundee 89.6%; Perth and Kinross 90.8% Attendance gap between SIMD 1 and SIMD 5: 2022-2023 – Angus 5.9pp; Dundee 6.8pp; Perth and Kinross 5.3pp 2023-2024 - Angus 5.8pp; Dundee 6.8pp; Perth and Kinross 6.6pp 2024-2025 - Angus 5.2pp; Dundee 6.4pp; Perth and Kinross 6.7pp Attendance gap for looked after children (Reported in LGBF; data is for all children who are ‘looked after’ by the local authority and is combined for primary and secondary. Children may attend school in a different local authority area): 2022-2023 – Angus 7.7pp; Dundee 5.5pp; Perth and Kinross 3.6pp 2023-2024 – Angus 5.1pp; Dundee 6.1pp; Perth and Kinross 4.2pp Data for 2024-25 will be published in summer 2026. Angus As of 6 March 2026, school attendance patterns look broadly consistent with rates in session 2024-25. Data for the full 2025-26 session will be available in July 2026.
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24 Five engagement officers (EOs) and a resource worker (RW) are funded through Attainment Scotland Funding. Bespoke support is provided to care experienced children and young people, with the intended outcome of increasing attendance, engagement and participation at school. In 2025-26 the EO team is working with 165 children and young people, 51 of whom live in SIMD Quintile 1, and 21 of whom are care experienced. An evaluation is underway of the work carried out by the EOs and will be reported later in 2026. Dundee The Council has established a multi‑agency attendance strategy group to review and strengthen policy and practice in line with Education Scotland’s national attendance improvement strategy. This work is embedded within Dundee’s wider improvement framework, consistent with national expectations, all schools were supported to develop an attendance‑focused inquiry question, enabling practitioners to use data‑informed approaches to identify barriers to attendance and test targeted interventions. Overall attendance in Dundee has shown gradual improvement over recent years, rising from 88.6% in 2022/23 to 88.9% in 2023/24, and increasing again to 89.6% in 2024/25. While the SIMD 1–5 attendance gap has fluctuated—moving from 2.3 percentage points, to 5.5, and most recently 6.1—the upward trend in overall attendance demonstrates the positive early impact of Dundee’s strengthened approaches. These data trends have informed local decision‑making and guided targeted supports for schools serving the most disadvantaged communities. Reflecting our emphasis on coherent, city‑wide systems, the multi‑agency group developed revised attendance procedures and guidance designed to promote early identification, proactive support and consistent relational practice across all schools. These updated procedures were formally launched at the Dundee Attendance Summit in November 2025, marking the next phase of the city’s collaborative work to improve attendance and reduce inequalities. In line with national guidance, every school will now develop its own school‑level Attendance Improvement Strategy, shaped by its local context and informed by detailed analysis of attendance patterns. These strategies will adopt a whole‑school approach, strengthening relationships, improving communication with families, and ensuring that attendance data is routinely scrutinised to support early intervention and tailored responses. Through this work, Dundee
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25 aims to further raise attendance, narrow gaps and ensure that every learner is supported to be present, engaged and progressing in their learning. Perth & Kinross Attendance continues to be a key area of focus for Perth & Kinross. Primary attendance is 1% behind our stretch aim, with secondary almost 4% behind. Although levels are improving, the improvement is slower than we would like and there is a wide variation across schools in terms of progress. A Steering Group has been established led by the Educational Psychology Service and involving a range of partners to look at school attendance from a holistic perspective with a view to identifying gaps. A sub-group is also taking forward a project to examine the use of coding of absence within Management Information Systems for consistency and accuracy. The Strategic Equity funded project, Connecting Families has had success with some young people, but there have been difficulties in getting family engagement for others, suggesting that this particular intervention is required much earlier to ensure family engagement. A number of schools are engaged in a Quality Improvement project for Attendance led by Education Scotland. The first cohort of schools are implementing tests of change, whilst the second cohort are undertaking the training and analysis required for the project. Locality Youth Workers across Perth and Kinross use a person-centred approach to create safe, supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, and self-esteem. Through a blend of 1:1 support, group work, and informal learning, youth workers help young people gradually re engage with school through tailored support. These informal learning opportunities allow young people to develop key skills such as communication, problem‑solving, emotional regulation, time management, and positive peer interaction, all of which support them to manage the structure and expectations of the school day. Youth workers are embedded in Social Work and work closely with Education, to support young people to navigate school meetings and expectations,
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26 ensuring the young person’s voice is heard. Youth workers use National Youth Work Outcomes framework which sits alongside the Curriculum for Excellence, and support young people to work on accredited awards such as Dynamic Youth and Youth Achievement Awards. Our children and young people will achieve and make positive contributions to communities We will implement plans focused on raising attainment and meaningful engagement (participation). Progress Updates (i)Reduced attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people. Angus Baseline data - local authority stretch aims: • In 2023-24, the annual trajectory targets for achievement of 1 or more award at SCQF Level 5 were not achieved. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure decreased. • In 2023-24, the annual trajectory targets for achievement of 1 or more award at SCFQ Level 6 were not achieved. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure decreased. • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory target for the achievement of literacy in P1,4,7 combined for children in SIMD 5 was achieved. The targets relating to all learners, those living in SIMD 1 and the attainment gap were not achieved. • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory target for the achievement of numeracy in P1,4,7 combined for children in SIMD 5 was achieved. The targets relating to all learners, those living in SIMD 1 and the attainment gap were not achieved. • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory targets for primary school attendance by all children, and those who live in SIMD Q1 and 5 were achieved. The target for the primary school attendance gap was not achieved. The targets for secondary school attendance by all young people, and those who live in SIMD Q1 and 5 were achieved. The target for the secondary school attendance gap was also achieved. • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory targets for the annual participation measure were achieved for 16-19 year olds living in SIMD 1, and for the overall attainment gap. Targets relating to all 16-19 year olds and those living in SIMD 5 were not achieved.
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27 • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory target for school leavers in SIMD Q5 was achieved for 1 or more award at SCQF Level 5. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure increased slightly. • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory targets for school leavers in SIMD Q1 and poverty related attainment gap were achieved for 1 or more award at SCFQ Level 6. The overall poverty related attainment gap for this measure decreased. Dundee Baseline data - local authority stretch aim: • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory targets for achievement of 1 or more award at SCQF Level 5 by all pupils and those living in SIMD quintile 1 were not achieved. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure increased. • In 2024-25, the annual trajectory targets for achievement of 1 or more award at SCFQ Level 6 were not achieved. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure decreased. • In 2024-25 the annual trajectory targets for achievement of literacy in P1,4,7 were not achieved. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure decreased. • In 2024-25 the annual trajectory targets for achievement of numeracy in P1,4,7 were, mostly, not achieved. The exception was the poverty related attainment gap for this measure which decreased and met its annual trajectory target. • In 2024-25 attendance improved but did not achieve its annual trajectory target. The poverty related attainment gap decreased. The poverty related attainment gap met its annual trajectory target in primary schools. The gap between Care experienced children and young people looked after at home, and other pupils also met its annual trajectory target. • In 2024-25 overall participation by 16-19 yr olds improved but did not achieve it annual trajectory target. The poverty related attainment gap for this measure increased. No further update received. Perth & Kinross • In 2024/25, the proportion of school leavers attaining 1 or more award at SCQF Level 5 has remained fairly static and we are 4 percentage points (pp) away from achieving our stretch aim (88% vs 92%) Q5 attainment has increased whilst Q1 has fallen, meaning the gap has widened and is 2pp behind our stretch aim (24% vs 22%).
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28 (Our Q1 cohort size is just 96 learners out of a total leaver cohort of 1388.) • In 2024/25, the proportion of school leavers attaining 1 or more award at SCQF Level 6 has remained steady at 66%. PKC is 2% away from achieving the stretch aim of 68% for 2024/25. Q1 attainment has dropped from 48% to 42% which has also impacted the PRAG. 2025/26 data is not yet available.
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29 TAYPLAN-2326-003 Our children and young people will enjoy good physical and mental health. We will ensure full implementation of the Child Healthy Weight Tayside Strategy. Progress Updates (i)Increased proportion of children with a healthy weight Baseline data: Percentage of primary 1 children classified as being of a healthy weight. 2021-22 – Angus Council 70.9%; Dundee 72.0%; Perth & Kinross 73.4%; Tayside 72.1% 2022-23 – Angus Council, 76.8%; Dundee 74.6%; Perth & Kinross 79.4%; Tayside 76.8% 2023-24 - Angus Council 71.7%; Dundee 74.3%; Perth & Kinross 75.6%; Tayside 74.0% 2024-25 – Angus Council 72.2%; Dundee 72.0%; Perth & Kinross 73.0%; Tayside 72.4 (ii) Reduced inequality in healthy weight between children living in the most and least deprived areas in Tayside. Baseline data: gap between children living in SIMD 1 and children living in SIMD 5 2021-22: Angus 28.0pp; Dundee 8.7pp; Perth and Kinross 2.0pp; Tayside 10.3pp 2022-23: Angus 10.8pp; Dundee 10.7pp; Perth and Kinross -1.1pp; Tayside 9.2pp 2023-24: Angus 7.2pp; Dundee 1.5pp; Perth and Kinross 8.5pp; Tayside 4.1pp 2024-25: Angus 13.7pp; Dundee 8.8pp; Perth and Kinross 5.4pp; Tayside 9.3pp The situation remains a significant concern, as levels of childhood obesity remain stubbornly high, and are now higher than during the pandemic, Furthermore, inequalities in the risk of obesity between children living in the least and most deprived areas continues. This challenging background sets a clear and ongoing need for implementation and spread of a Whole Systems Approach to Child Healthy Weight across Tayside informed by the early adopter work in Dundee and the need to advance the realisation of the vision of the Tayside Child Healthy Weight Strategy ‘for every child in Tayside to grow up in a community and environment that supports them to feel great and ready to learn so they can achieve optimum health and flourish to their best of abilities’. This has been challenged over the last year by significant reductions in workforce capacity with specific remit for this workstream. Renewed opportunity to rebuild momentum lies in taking
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30 forward new policy/framework aligned to population health including the priority of tackling obesity and promoting healthy weight, and retaining this as a priority into the next iteration (2026-2029) of statutory Children’s Service Plans across Tayside. Furthermore, the child healthy weight agenda, and more broadly, the links between food and health have potential to be further leveraged at both a national and local level by the Good Food Nation Act. This includes a specific outcome that ‘Scotland’s food system encourages a physically and mentally healthy population, leading to a reduction in diet-related conditions.’ The plan also outlines a number of indicators for monitoring progress on child health, diet and weight outcomes including the percentage of children who are a healthy weight and the percentage at risk of obesity. Our children and young people will enjoy good physical and mental health. We will work collectively to support uptake of immunisation for children across Tayside. Progress Updates (i) Increased proportion of children receiving immunisations. Children receiving MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) immunisation at 24 months. Baseline data: percentage of children receiving immunisations 2022-23 Angus 91.4%; Dundee 89.7%; Perth and Kinross 92.6%. 2023-24 Angus 93.2%, Dundee 88.0%; Perth and Kinross 92.5% 2024-25 Angus 93.2%, Dundee 89.1%, Perth and Kinross 91.7% NHS Tayside Immunisation Steering Group continues, with contribution from the NHS Tayside Childhood (CH) immunisation Leadership Group. The CH Immunisation Leadership Group has now been embedded in practice and meets regularly to provide operational and leadership direction to the CH Immunisation service. It continues to focus on the optimisation of the childhood immunisation service to ultimately improve immunisation uptake and streamline the service. Partner colleagues are invited to attend to discuss issues or feedback as information and planning is required. The Child Health Department continues to ensure systems and processes are in place to support the appointment management of immunisations for children across Tayside. The schedule change came into place in January 2026 with
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31 introduction of the MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella) vaccine to replace MMR and an additional appointment for children at 18 months. The reporting of baseline figures will therefore alter for the coming years. A number of working groups have been established to focus on: Schedule changes: Improving update: Accessibility including translation and interpretation support. The working group for improving immunisation uptake has been established. The group will establish and works in collaboration with Public Health, Childhood Immunisation Team, Child Health Department and Education colleagues. The CH Immunisation team continue to work closely with Health visitors, FNP and school nurses to encourage the promotion of immunisations at each contact with families. Challenges for the Childhood Immunisation service remain around access to suitable accommodation in community care settings, clinic space, secure fridges and storage. The introduction of the new Child Health System has been delayed and is anticipated to go live in mid May 2026. The transition is presenting some challenges and Child Health leads are working closely with national colleagues and attending various implementation groups nationally and locally to take this forward. Our children and young people will enjoy good physical and mental health. We will implement the Tayside Action Plan to reduce suicide in children and young people Progress Updates (i) Reduced number of children and young people completing suicide. Baseline data: number of young people under the age of 20 completing suicide 2017-2021: 12 (of which, 6 were under the age of 18) 2019-2023: 8 (of which, 6 were under the age of 18) 2020-2024 7 (of which, 7 were under the age of 18) Note: The numbers are small so no interpretation can be placed on these figures. (ii) Increased number of staff trained in suicide intervention.
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32 Across Tayside there has been a co-ordinated approach to increasing provision of suicide prevention training in professionals and members of the public. This is co-ordinated in each Local Authority area by the Suicide Prevention Co- ordinator with additional training support provided from NHS Tayside Public Health and the third sector. These trainings continue to be delivered to staff and community members working with children and young people across Tayside. There has been specific work undertaken to develop appropriate training for those working with children and young people and training delivered to staff working in this area. No further update received. (iii) Increased satisfaction with information sharing from child death/suicide review An information sharing pathway between Child and Adolescent Mental Health services and the Named Person has been in place for over a year. This is used to alert the Named Person when there has been a crisis presentation to CAMHS within 1 working day. The system is valued by all in terms of improved partnership working and communication around risk management. Named Person staff greatly value the new protocol as it makes such a difference to them feeling valued, safer in their practice knowing the risk is being shared and managed as part of a professional multi agency response. No further update received. Our children and young people will enjoy good physical and mental health. We will continue implementation of ‘Connected Tayside; an emotional health & wellbeing strategy for children & young people’ (2021-23) Progress Updates (i) Tayside mental health pathways are fully implemented, and supports are accessible. Neurodevelopmental Update: A Tayside Neurodevelopmental (ND) Pathway Improvement Steering Group has been established to strengthen multi- agency collaboration across health, education, and social care partners, as well as the third/voluntary sector, ensuring clear accountability and shared decision-making. The aim is to ensure that all key partners are fully engaged and share ownership in developing a new Neurodevelopmental Pathway for children & young people across Tayside
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33 The first meeting of the steering group for this work was held in February as a workshop development session. The meeting outputs will be collated into a paper. Key next steps are to agree the shared governance and reporting structures for this partnership work. GAP Analysis - ND Needs Assessment Plan The needs assessment and mapping of services and supports across the three local authorities and within NHS Tayside is now nearly complete. A report will be collated over September that will help outline the opportunities and gaps that currently exist within services. The aim is to better understand how to meet the needs of the ND population across Tayside. We continue to gather insights from Scottish Government funded tests of change in other health boards to inform positive learning and also opportunities for improvement in developing a future ND pathway in Tayside. This will help ensure that the pathway is both needs-led and appropriate, while also being sustainable. The needs assessment and mapping of services and supports across the three local authorities and within NHS Tayside is complete and has been presented to the newly set up steering group. This report provides evidence and practised based recommendations to support development of a new ND Support Pathway in Tayside. Review of current CAMHS ND Waiting List Learning from review of the current ND waiting list has highlighted the need to redesign the pre-assessment pathway in collaboration with multi-agency partners so children are directed to the most appropriate services from the outset. Referral To Treatment Time (RTT) Mental Health HEAT Target NHS Tayside has achieved the RTT Mental Health HEAT target for over 24 months. This is expected to continue going forward. The Decider Skills are a set of CBT and DBT evidence-based skills to help people of all ages understand and manage their thoughts, emotions, behaviours and relationships in a less impulsive and more composed way. Decider Skills Training For Professionals: Total Staff Trained across Tayside 485 (P&K 195, Dundee 96, Angus147) Decider Skills Sessions Online for Parents/Carers: Total attendance across Tayside: 286
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34 Understanding a Supporting a Child with Anxiety and Worries is a CBT informed input to help support children and young people understand and managed mild to moderate anxiety by learning how it affects the body, and actions, the traps we can fall into and learning coping tools. Understanding a Supporting a Child with Anxiety and Worries Training for Professionals: 86 (P&K 22, Dundee 37, Angus 27) Understanding & Supporting a Child with Anxiety and Worries Online Sessions Parents: Total attendance Tayside: 441 New in 2025: Your Resilience is a train the trainer and parent training course designed to help young people build their mental health resilience, given young people the tools and confidence to manage everyday pressures, challenges and emotions so they can cope now and in the future. Your Resilience for Professionals: Total Staff trained Jan – April 2025 across Tayside 21 Your Resilience for Parents: Total Attendance across Tayside 27 Understanding and Supporting Your Child are online sessions for parents and carers who have concerns about their child’s neuro development. Parents/carers spend two weeks developing a profile of their children’s strengths and challenges, learning how to support regulation and then having access to an addition 5 sessions around profile specific areas such as sleep. Communication and behaviour. Total Parent Carer Attendance Tayside: 379 Together to Thrive is a Dundee based partnership task sharing model, with specialist staff training and coaching community-based staff in areas usually associated with specialist services to move specialist interventions to a more accessible place for children and families. Total number of community-based staff trained in Dundee 116 Total Number of Families Supported via TtT: Directly 149, indirectly 500. ND Parent Portal Website- Total Number of users across Tayside @ March 2025: 2747 PKC have worked with third sector partner The Lighthouse to roll out their Mental Health Ambassador peer support programme which is now taking place within everyone school. Through some piloting work linked to the Counselling in Schools programme, PKC have worked with Life Link to offer schools targeted group work, including with a focus on managing relationships online.
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35 PKC have worked with two school communities over 25/26 to support a whole school community focus on mental health. This work is part of each schools Improvement Plan to address raising awareness of mental health issues and concerns, reducing stigma, increasing universal, additional and enhanced support for children and young people at the time it is needed. The schools are supported in this work from the Education Psychology Service, the Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Coordinator, and the Lighthouse. Consultations have taken place to include the views of children and young people, their parent/carers, school staff and the agencies involved in providing support to each school community. This work is ongoing. (ii) The Health and Wellbeing survey will show an increase in pupils who say they feel positive about the future Baseline data: The percentage of pupils who agreed or strongly agreed that the feel positive about their future. Angus Dundee Perth and Kinross 2021/22 70.2% 74.6% 71.9% The Health and Wellbeing Census took place in 2022. 16 local authorities participated, including Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross. Data was published as ‘experimental’ in May 2023. In December 2025, the Scottish Government advised that there would be no further data gathering for this census.
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36 TAYPLAN-2326-004 Our children and young people will have their rights protected and their voices heard We will support the multi-agency workforce to promote rights, choice and control for children and young people on how their views are heard and represented and how they are involved in decisions that affect them. Progress Updates Baseline data: number of Tayside schools with Rights Respecting Schools accreditation As of 20 March 2026, in Angus there is one school registered; 22 schools have achieved Bronze awards; 34 schools and one ELC have achieved Silver awards; 2 schools have achieved Gold awards. In Dundee 17 schools have achieved silver awards and 5 have achieved Gold awards, no data was received in respect of number of schools registered or number who have achieved Bronze awards. In Perth and Kinross there are 5 schools registered; 22 have achieved Bronze awards; 23 have achieved Silver awards; 20 have achieved Gold awards and 5 have applied for reaccreditation (i) Children and young people will have access to independent advocacy, informal advocacy, and digital tools to support participation. Angus Over the course of the first half of this year (April to September 2025), Angus has continued to increase the numbers of children and young people accessing advocacy. Building on the increase of advocacy uptake of 10% during 2024-25, Advocacy partners report for the first half 2025/26 an average of 97 young people a month were receiving support, up from 70 the previous year. It’s important to note that these figures exclude referrals directed by the Children’s Hearing system, meaning the actual number of young people supported is even higher. Following an application to Scottish Government, Angus Independent Advocacy have secured additional funding (£8,500 = 1 day per week) to support with the hearing element of advocacy provision. This has been committed until March 2027. This has addressed the increase in demand for advocacy for Children’s Hearings however, this does not address the demand for non-hearings provision of advocacy.
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37 The recent inspection highlighted Angus’s strong partnership approach to independent advocacy, praising the seamless pathways that enable children to maintain consistent advocacy relationships as they navigate multiple agencies and processes. However, challenges remain as noted last year. There continues to be high numbers of referrals relating to education issues, and Who Cares continues to report ongoing difficulties for some children placed out of area in maintaining relationships with separated family members. As a result of increasing numbers of child and young people being referred for advocacy including non-instructed advocacy for very young children and children with complex needs the demand over the last 6 months has resulted in small numbers of children having to be placed on a waiting list for a service. While referrals are screened and prioritised the increased demand is resulting in some children now having to wait for a service. During 2025–2026, Angus aligned its advocacy work with the proposed Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, published 18 June 2025. The Bill focus is on ensuring that every child involved in child protection or the care system—regardless of age or ability—has their voice heard and access to an independent advocate. Plans are in place to increase advocacy engagement by a further 10% and to review current funding arrangements to enhance system capacity. Angus will also continue to share its multi-agency model nationally as an example of best practice Dundee In Dundee, children and young people are increasingly having their voices heard in more systematic and meaningful ways. For younger children, the New Beginnings Team has been trained in using The Lanarkshire Infant Mental Health Observational Indicator Set (LIMHOIS), this is a tool used to identify and describe concerns and promote a shared understanding is infant mental health needs and how these are best met. To help drive measurable improvements, the service has started to gather quality assurance data on the proportion of 0-5’s who either attend or, more frequently, have their views represented at key decision-making meetings. The first audit completed in June 2025 established a 50% baseline for this age group compared with 65% overall and this informs an action plan, which includes the development of resources to enable their views to be heard. For older children, Mind of My Own (MOMO) forms one of several ways of obtaining children and young people’s views to inform support. It provides an alternative option to 1:1 methods and Champions Boards have commented positively this year on its use. Where they need additional support to be heard, a Who Cares? advocacy service engaged with 83 children and young people. It retains a strong presence in all Children’s Houses and advocated for 11 young people in
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38 external Foster Care and residential care. The audit of views provided at key meetings showed that 81% of children over 6 years attended or had their views represented. The WFWF also contributes towards the delivery and evaluation of What Matters to You, which the Council continues to coordinate with the Hunter Foundation, BBC Children in Need and local communities. Increasingly, the approach involves the use of Cafe Conversations to pro-actively listen and respond to the needs of local communities, including how they might lead or contribute towards developments. Communities play a central role in the allocation of a Make it Happen Fund to enhance support. Perth & Kinross Please see update on pages 45/46 (ii) Attending child's planning meetings will be supported and the environment will be inclusive. Angus During 2025–2026, Angus continued to strengthen inclusive participation for children and young people, ensuring they are supported to attend their Child’s Planning Meetings and that environments are welcoming and responsive to their needs. Advocacy provision increased by around 10%, with an average of 70 young people receiving support—up from 50 the previous year—and 78 new individual and 29 family advocacy referrals, enabling more children to have trusted support when preparing for and attending meetings. Recent inspection findings highlighted the strong partnership approach and seamless advocacy pathways that help children feel confident, heard, and supported during planning processes. Participation data gathered throughout the year shows growing engagement, with reporting from January to October 2025 capturing the proportion of children who attended their meetings, those who contributed in other ways (such as submitting views or having them shared on their behalf), and identifying the need for further improvement in capturing data consistently. Alongside this, ongoing improvements in meeting environments—supported by advocacy workers, relational practice, and trauma‑informed approaches—ensured that settings were more inclusive, helping children feel comfortable and empowered to participate meaningfully in decisions about their lives. The development
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39 of a child‑friendly digital complaints platform further expanded accessible participation routes, complementing in‑person engagement with supportive, rights‑based tools. To support children in attending planning meetings and ensure the environment is inclusive, Angus practitioners continue to use the PREpare model, which helps children understand the purpose of the meeting, what will be discussed, and how their views will be represented. This approach encourages children to feel more confident and informed before participating. Inclusive environments are created by offering flexible formats for engagement, such as informal settings, visual aids, and opportunities for children to contribute in ways that suit their communication style—whether verbal, written, or creative. These efforts aim to make participation meaningful and ensure every child feels safe, respected, and heard. Dundee Out of 2,452 Team Around the Child Meetings during academic year 2024-25, 1,381 (56.3%) had child’s views recorded. Building on learning from the ANEW project and wider GIRFEC improvement work, services in Dundee continue to develop flexible and child centred approaches to capturing children’s views. This includes supporting children to contribute in person, through a trusted adult or advocate, or by using alternative formats such as drawings, photographs, written statements or short videos. This approach helps ensure that planning remains focused on the child’s lived experience, even where direct attendance at meetings is not appropriate. Perth & Kinross Please see update on pages 45/46
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40 (iii) Children with additional needs will share their views and be involved in decisions. Angus A variety of approaches are used in Angus to gather learner voice. In line with our GIRFEC approach, the wellbeing web is used to capture children and young people’s views using the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators. The wellbeing web includes a symbolised version for learners who require visual support. For learners who are non-speaking or who have communication difficulties a range of supports are available including photographic, Boardmaker visuals, Makaton, and Talking Mats. Capturing pupil voice is also done through the use of sensory stories and face-to-face and online surveys. Interpreters and online translators are used for children and young people who have English as an additional language and BSL for children and young people who are deaf. From August 24 to June 25 12 Education staff were trained in Talking Mats. For 24/25 a further 7 staff members have been trained and another 15 are booked on sessions due to take in May/June & August/September 26.Over session 2024/25, 4 sessions of multiagency training on the GIRFEC refresh have included advice for professionals delivering the Named Person role on how to use a variety of methods, including the Wellbeing Web, to capture the voices of children and young people with a range of needs to support them in co-creating Child Plans. These sessions also offered advice on how to support the meaningful inclusion and participation of children and young people in meetings. Parents and carers are offered support to engage with third sector organisations who may provide advocacy services for children with ASN through our Connecting Parents Angus portal. Dundee Children and young people with additional support needs are supported to share their views and participate in decisions that affect them, using a range of proportionate and inclusive approaches. Practitioners make use of visual, supported and assisted communication methods, alongside professional judgement and collaboration with parents, carers and relevant specialists, to ensure views are meaningfully represented. Interpreting and translation services are used where required to support participation.
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41 Perth & Kinross Please see update on pages 45/46 (iv) Views are well represented at child's planning meetings Angus The update for this outcome is detailed above in “(ii) Attending child's planning meetings will be supported and the environment will be inclusive.” Dundee Dundee works closely with SCRA and multi-agency partners to ensure that children’s views are sought, recorded and considered throughout the Children’s Hearings process, in line with national guidance and local procedures. Perth & Kinross Please see update on pages 45/46 (v) Children's hearing decisions are fully informed by the views of children and young people Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) continues to strengthen its commitment to children’s rights and meaningful participation, following implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. A range of developments are being implemented to ensure that children’s voices are central to decision-making throughout the Children’s Hearing System.
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42 SCRA now routinely seeks and records children’s views prior to a Hearing being arranged, ensuring that every decision made by a Reporter is informed by the child’s perspective. Children who are assessed as having capacity are supported to express their views in a format of their choosing, including written, verbal, visual, or digital methods. Where appropriate, face-to-face meetings are also offered to enable children to communicate their views more fully. Children’s views continue to be reflected within social work Hearing reports. Panel Members have a clear procedural responsibility to check and confirm the accuracy of these views during Hearings. The increased availability and involvement of Independent Advocates has further strengthened children’s confidence and ability to express their views independently. SCRA works closely with social work services and partner agencies to support and embed this approach across the system. Planned Developments (2026–27 and Beyond) Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2025 – Implementation Readiness In preparation for the full implementation of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2025, SCRA has undertaken the following actions: • Recruitment of additional Reporter staff to support the anticipated increase in demand arising from legislative change, with the age of referral to the Reporter increasing up to age 18, expanding access to the Children’s Hearing System for older children and young people. • Comprehensive training for all Reporter staff on the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2025, ensuring consistent and uniform application of practice across Scotland. Child-Friendly Scheduling From June 2026, SCRA will introduce child-friendly scheduling arrangements. This initiative will further tailor Hearing dates, times, and formats to better reflect the individual needs, circumstances, and wellbeing of children attending Hearings. Early Engagement and Statements of Grounds SCRA is reviewing its approach to the drafting of Statements of Grounds and increasing early engagement with children and families. This work aims to reduce delays, improve understanding, and minimise the risk of prolonged or unnecessary court proceedings.
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43 Trauma-Informed Practice All SCRA staff receive training in trauma-informed practice and vicarious trauma awareness. This ensures staff are better equipped to support children and families sensitively and effectively, while also safeguarding staff wellbeing. Estate Refurbishment Programme SCRA’s estate is undergoing a significant refurbishment programme to improve the quality, comfort, and child-friendly nature of Hearing environments. The redevelopment of the Dundee office is scheduled for completion in August 2026. (vi) Staff will have access to training on UNCRC, The Promise, engagement and feel confident in supporting young people. Angus In response to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, Angus Council has made e-Learning available to support employee knowledge of this area. ‘How we protect children’s rights with the UN convention on the rights of the child’ has been made available on Always Learning. This e-Learning is mandatory for all employees to complete. To date 2102 employees (46.7%) of council employees have completed the e-learning. From evaluations received, overall, staff found the training helpful, easy to understand, and relevant. Many said it increased their confidence and gave them a better understanding of how children’s rights should be embedded across the organisation. UNCRC is included in Angus Council’s Equality Impact Assessment process. Advocacy services have been embedded into practice to ensure all young people have access to this service, with training opportunities being made available to staff. Advocacy has been a focus of input within the Children Families & Justice practitioner development forum and all children now attending children’s hearings in Angus are afforded the opportunity to have an independent advocate. Training has been provided to staff and organisations that fall within the remit and responsibilities of being corporate parents. This training has been embedded into our online learning system in Angus Council.
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44 The training explains and helps promote understanding of our duties and responsibilities as corporate parents. Training now includes UNCRC which staff are required to undertake and is included as part of induction for new staff joining the council. Work is underway to ensure that Angus Council has a system in place which is child friendly, accessible to anyone under 18 years of age enabling them to raise a complaint in the same way as adults do respecting Article 12, Right to be heard. Youth engagement guidance has been developed by our Vibrant Communities team in partnership with young people. Dundee A UNCRC self-evaluation and improvement plan is in final draft stage of development. The plan will then form a key part of the next Children’s Services Plan 2026-29. The self-evaluation highlights existing good practice in relation, for instance, to: 1. Children’s rights considered as part of Integrated Impact Assessments 2. Child Protection training including reference to UNCRS 3. School Improvement Plans including reference to UNCRC 4. Our Promise 2023-26 including a clear focus on Voice 5. Listening mechanisms such as What Matters to You, MOMO, Planet Youth and Youth Leadership 6. Infant Pledge 7. Implementation of Child Friendly Complaints Procedure 8. All schools registered for the Rights Respecting Schools Accreditation Programme In addition, Dundee work in partnership with UNICEF to support the Rights Respecting Schools programme and there are two staff are in the final stages of training to become accreditors of this programme. There is an action plan for this work, and all schools are registered for the programme with a target of all having the Bronze award by the end of this academic session. All Dundee schools are on track to achieve their UNICEF RRSA Bronze Accreditation by the end March 2026, with 14 currently achieving their Silver Award and 4 achieving Gold RRSA Award. The Citywide Pupil Voice group are also integral to ensuring the young person’s voice is considered in developing policy and practice in line with the UNCRC and the Promise.
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45 Perth & Kinross (i) Children and young people will have access to independent advocacy, informal advocacy, and digital tools to support participation. (ii) Attending child's planning meetings will be supported and the environment will be inclusive. (iii) Children with additional needs will share their views and be involved in decisions. (iv) Views are well represented at child's planning meetings (v) Children's hearing decisions are fully informed by the views of children and young people (vi) Staff will have access to training on UNCRC, The Promise, engagement and feel confident in supporting young people. Perth and Kinross continue to have Youth Strategy meetings where professionals and young people come together to share initiatives, concerns and solutions in relation to young people across Perth and Kinross. Local Councillors, Child protection co-ordinator and the Alcohol and Drug partnership co-ordinator attend to not only look at ways to engage with local young people and youth forums but to ensure the people’s voice is heard and relayed into council decision making arenas. An interdisciplinary participation forum meets to look at how best Perth and Kinross captures the voice of young people, reduces barriers when looking for young people's voice and sharing of good practice of capturing voice. Membership is made up of Health, Education, Social Work, 3rd sector partners and the Tayside & Fife Partnership Coordinator for Children's Hearings Scotland Perth and Kinross continue to work closely with Independent Advocacy Perth and Kinross to ensure young people are well represented and their voice is heard when they required to feedback to professional forums and meetings.
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46 Champions Boards Locality youth workers continue to support our CEYP in school through dedicated time in weekly CHAMPS Sessions. Youth workers have effectively embedded UNCRC rights with care-experienced young people through a wide range of engaging activities and participation opportunities. Our Champs groups recently presented to elected members, resulting in Councilors making meaningful pledges to our CEYP. In addition, the Strategic Lead for Education is visiting all Champs groups to offer support and listen directly to their experiences in school. Through these groups, youth workers gather the voices and views of young people and feed them into the Corporate Parenting Sub Group, which can then share updates and changes back to the Champs via youth workers ensuring a clear feedback loop.
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47 Our children and young people will have their rights protected and their voices heard We will promote and protect relationships that are important to children and young people when children are separated from their families and it is safe to do so. Progress Updates (i) When children are separated from people who are important to them, there are clear plans to maintain and promote safe family time. (National dataset for siblings will be implemented and monitored) Angus Angus has made progress in implementing the National Definition of Brothers and Sisters, embedding practices that support siblings to remain together or maintain meaningful relationships. This includes recognising and planning for non- biological sibling-type relationships formed in care settings, reflecting a broader understanding of sibling bonds beyond biological ties. Practice now aligns with national guidance and promotes continuity of relationships even after placement changes. Despite these improvements, supporting non-related sibling relationships presents challenges, particularly in tailoring care arrangements to meet individual needs. Angus continues progress implementing the National Data Reporting Requirements. 73% of children who became looked after in 2025who had a looked after sibling were living with at least one sibling. Angus supports children to have good quality time with parents and siblings they cannot live with by ensuring that contact is thoughtfully planned and tailored to each child’s needs. This includes using technology such as video calls and messaging platforms to maintain regular and meaningful connections, especially when in-person contact is not possible due to distance or placement arrangements. These interactions are designed to be child-centred, with flexibility around timing, format, and content to ensure they feel safe and supported. We have spent time and resources enhancing our spaces for children and their families.
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48 Oversight of these arrangements is maintained through child’s planning meetings, where independent quality and review officers review the effectiveness of family time. Dundee In 2024/25 we implemented a Staying Connected procedure. We held training and development sessions for staff to ensure this was embedded. When children are separated from their families, we seek care arrangements where siblings can be together if possible and safe. Assessments are undertaken for all children who are Looked After and include the need to promote and protect relationships that are important to them. Plans are put in place to ensure this and reviewed at scheduled meetings. The Family Time Procedure was also reviewed and refreshed during this period. Data is available for new placements made during the academic year 2024/25. 49% of looked after children and young people lived with a sibling prior to moving to a new placement. The following data only refers to these children (so 80% is 80% of those who lived with siblings before, i.e. 40% of all children). Overall – 83% of children with siblings prior to entering the care placement lived with at least one sibling following a placement move. There are strong differences depending on placement type: • At home with parents – 108% (this is a real success story, with more children being reunited with than separated from siblings through CSO at home) • Kinship Care – 76% (a reduction from 90% the previous year, which is largely due to kinship carers more often explored as a possible option for just one typically younger child while leaving older siblings in the family home, or returning a young person from external placements to Dundee choosing a kinship carer beforehand, with the long term aim of reuniting the siblings) • Foster Care – 79% (in house) and 55% (agency foster care) • Numbers for residential care are too small to report as % but it is rare for siblings to share a residential placement This is a key reason why the service prioritises local family-based care, where children are more likely to live with or near their brothers/sisters. It also reinforces the importance of building local Foster Care capacity so they can be together or remain close.
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49 Some children and young people with more complex needs are cared for in care external residential settings, where it is not appropriate and/or possible for their brother or sister to stay. In these circumstances, regular contact is supported It should also be noted that ‘having a sibling’ includes half-siblings living with the other birth parent and adult brothers and sisters, where it is often not appropriate and/or possible for a care experienced child to stay. For CSO home and kinship care, there was an increase of children living together, involving slightly more reunifications than separations. Conversely, foster and residential placements more frequently led to siblings being separated. In this context, when children or young people require alternative care, teams identify and assess potential Kinship Carers. The service has an established Kinship Care Team and a range of supports have been developed, including 2 Clinical Psychologists funded by Corra to help promote attachments, capacity and resilience within families. Perth & Kinross In 2025/26 the CREST team continued to actively promote and deliver Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) and Lifelong Links (LL) service across our children and family’s service. These approaches remain central to supporting meaningful family involvement, strengthening networks, and improving outcomes for children and young people. FGDM is a strength based, family led decision making process that empowers families to develop safe, sustainable plans, when concerns arise about a child or young person. The model centres on transparency, partnership, and shared responsibility. Through structured preparation and facilitation, FGDM leads to a Family Group Meeting where families identify their own strengths, mobilise their support networks, and create their own solutions. This approach is used across the continuum of need, including early help, child protection, planning for unborn babies, supporting children to remain within their families, and enabling reunification where appropriate. The Lifelong Links programme supports children and young people who are looked after to build and maintain enduring relationships with the people who matter most to them, including siblings and other significant connections. The approach prioritises children's rights and focuses on rebuilding or strengthening relationships that may have been lost due to entering care. The aim is to ensure every child in care is surrounded by a stable, loving, and lasting support network that continues into adulthood.
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50 The CREST team also continues to promote the use of the Connections Toolkit across social work teams. This tool, led by the child or young person, maps out the significant people in their lives and supports meaningful conversations about relationships, identity, and support networks. The toolkit underpins our vision that every child or young person with social work involvement should have a robust connection plan that reflects their world and strengthens protective relationships. Since January 2025 49 families were referred by the children & families social work teams to Crest for Family Group Decision Making and 6 care experienced young people were referred to Life Long Links. Between September 25 and March 26 232 children and young people were classed as being looked after by Perth & Kinross. A team of designated Reviewing Officers continue to review all looked after children and ensure that robust plans are in place to determine the best possible outcomes for them. The Perth & Kinross Review Team is prioritizing efforts to promote and encourage active involvement of children and young people in their review meetings. They are updating all materials and communications for children, young people, and their families to ensure everyone is well-informed and empowered to participate. For those who prefer not to attend their review meeting but wish to speak with a Review Officer, alternative options are being arranged. Additionally, the team is working to strengthen connections with Champs board groups and other organizations supporting care-experienced young people, such as the FYI Group. Ongoing consultations with these groups focus on naming the service and review meetings, and their input helps guide future service improvements. The Review Team will inform advocacy partners, IPAK, whenever a child or young person becomes Looked After; IPAK then works directly with the child's social worker and family to provide advocacy services, aiming to further empower children and young people so their opinions are heard and represented. An audit of fathers’ participation in review meetings is underway, highlighting this as an area for service improvement. When either parent is in custody, the team is committed to encouraging their inclusion in the review process and has updated procedures to help social workers facilitate their involvement.
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51 Family Based Care and Adoption Teams: When the decision has been made that children or young people can no longer live at home with their parents, kinship options will be assessed as a first option to maintain important family and friends links where safe. If there is a need to be accommodated with foster carers, we will always try to place brothers and sisters together where it is safe to do so. Where brothers and sisters cannot be placed together due to risk assessments, or resources, then kinship carers and foster carers will be supported to promote and enable safe family time and sibling contact (either formally or informally). If children are placed for adoption, we have discussions with the adopters as early as possible about their willingness to consider any future siblings being placed with them at a later date. Where this is not an option, we ensure adopters are aware of the understanding that sibling contact may be something they need to consider in the future. We are currently in the early process of developing a private outdoor space that can be used for sibling contact when brothers and sisters have been unable to live together. This will be somewhere that will accommodate all ages of siblings in a safe and fun environment. The development of this space is in consultation with foster carers, kinship carers, workers and young people.
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52 TAYPLAN-2326-005 Our children and young people will be safe and feel loved We will ensure appropriate housing options are in place for vulnerable families including pregnant women and families with children Progress Updates (i) Children and families are secure in good quality accommodation that meets their needs. (ii) Reduction in the number of children growing up in temporary accommodation. Baseline data: households including children or pregnant women in temporary accommodation Angus Dundee Perth and Kinross Households Children Households Children Households Children 2021/22 10 25 90 215 10 15 2022/23 10 20 90 230 10 35 2023/24 5 10 110 260 10 15 2024/25 5 5 95 225 5 15 https://www.gov.scot/publications/homelessness-in-scotland-2024-25/documents/ Main tables, T28 and T29. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 for disclosure control purposes. 2022: 110 households 2023: 110 households 2024: 125 households 2025; 105 households
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53 Angus In Angus, there were 6 households with pregnant women or dependent children in temporary accommodation at 31 December 2025 which represents a reduction from 12 households at 31 December 2024 (a 50% decrease over the one year period). Across Angus, Housing continues to work closely with partners to ensure that children, young people and families are supported into safe, secure and sustainable homes. Our focus remains on preventing homelessness wherever possible and ensuring that vulnerable households receive the right support at the right time. The joint Housing Protocol developed with the Horizon Team (TCAC) has continued to provide a strong foundation for collaborative planning and early intervention. In 2026, Housing has strengthened operational links with Children, Families and Justice, the Horizon Team and third-sector partners to ensure that young people receive coordinated and sustained support as they transition towards independence. The recently reviewed and updated Housing Protocol continues to embed shared responsibilities across services, reinforcing our corporate parenting duties and ensuring consistency in practice. Work is progressing on improving access to settled accommodation options for young people, Housing has now begun development of a Youth Housing Strategy for Angus, recognising the need for a clearer, more coherent set of housing and support pathways for young people aged 16–25. The strategy will: • Set out a dedicated housing pathway for care experienced young people, young people at risk of homelessness, and those with complex needs. • Ensure a trauma‑informed, rights‑based approach, building on The Promise and corporate parenting commitments. • Strengthen coordination of practical, emotional and tenancy support to improve young people’s ability to sustain accommodation in the long term. • Explore a range of accommodation models, including supported housing, community‑based supported accommodation, shared living options, and models that allow young people to transition gradually to full independence. • Be developed in partnership with young people, ensuring their lived experience shapes priorities and actions.
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54 Dundee In Dundee, there were 95 households with pregnant women or dependent children in temporary accommodation in 2024/25 compared to 110 in 2023/24. There were 225 children contained within these households in 2024/25 compared to 260 in 2023/24 (13% decrease). All temporary accommodation for families in Dundee is provided in the form of network flats. These are our mainstream Council properties that are used as temporary accommodation for families. There are no families staying in shared accommodation or hostel type accommodation. In total 852 cases have secured permanent accommodation as an outcome during the first 3 quarters of 2024/2025. This is an increase of 325 cases or 62% compared to the same period in 2023/2024. The percentage of cases securing permanent accommodation is 81% compared to 73% in 2023/2024. Overall, good progress is being made in this area however we acknowledge that homelessness pressures across the country are presenting challenges and as a result B&B use continues. Where possible, we will always look to accommodate families in a network flat. The Council has also stipulated that no 16–17-year-olds will be placed in homeless accommodation when presenting to homelessness services. They will be prioritised for tenancies and/or referred to the Multi Agency Screening Hub to coordinate support. Perth and Kinross In Perth and Kinross our ‘Home First’ approach has resulted in the lowest prevalence of people requiring temporary accommodation in Scotland in the last 5 years (by population). There has been particular success in enabling families with children to directly access secure tenancies, avoiding the need for temporary accommodation. When this is not possible, a furnished temporary flat in the community is provided on the basis that this could subsequently be transferred to a secure tenancy. There is a strong partnership with Perthshire Women’s Aid who provide refuge accommodation using properties leased from the Council which again can be transferred to a secure tenancy if appropriate. A Common Housing Register provides a single route into approximately 97% of social-rented accommodation in Perth and Kinross provided by the
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55 Council and 3 Housing Association partners. The Common Housing Register is underpinned by a Common Allocations Policy, reviewed in early 2025. This includes a Strategic Need pathway, enabling the prioritisation of care experienced young people and families with children in certain circumstances. No further update received. Our children and young people will be safe and feel loved We will further develop approaches to identifying, responding, and managing risk to young people aged 12–18 This will include: • Young people at risk of secure care • Young people subject to Care and Risk Management (CARM) planning. • Young people who go missing Progress Updates (i) Young people in our settings feel informed that their rights have been respected. Angus During 2025/26, the Angus Promise Language Group has progressed improvements to the social work website to ensure it provides accessible, rights-based information for children, young people and families. Between April and September 2025, the group worked across Children, Families and Justice services to test and refine website content, supported by ongoing feedback loops with staff, partners and individuals with lived experience. Site testing was undertaken within Justice Services and with the Carnoustie Promise Group, with QR codes distributed across the workforce to promote access. From August 2025, SiteImprove data has been used to monitor engagement, showing increasing usage and repeat visits, with key pages including Residential Care, Moving on From Care, and Children with Disabilities. This work supports children’s rights by improving access to clear, understandable information about services and supports, helping children and families to make informed choices and seek help when needed. It also aligns with wider improvement activity to ensure communication is trauma-informed and strengths-based, including review of Child’s Plans and development of accessible written materials. Next steps include increasing use of digital content such as
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56 video, improving promotion, strengthening feedback from children and families, and integrating child-friendly complaints information, ensuring the website continues to support participation, transparency and children’s rights. Dundee Please see the updates above and below on vulnerable adolescents. Perth & Kinross Over the past year we have continued to develop skills in working with young people who have a communication difficulty or who present on the autistic spectrum. We have rolled out training in the use of talking mats a communication tool. We have undertaken training with staff to raise awareness of needs of young people who present with complex behaviours associated with autistic spectrum disorders and plan further training. (ii) Young people at risk of harm have access to appropriate support and clear plans to address need and risk. Angus CARM activity across 2025/26 reflects strong consolidation of previous improvement work, with Angus embedding the tiered multi‑agency training framework and continuing quarterly mock CARM sessions to reinforce consistent, rights‑based and trauma‑informed risk practice. Regular data collection enabled earlier identification of young people on the fringes of CARM and supported ongoing strategic oversight. Audit findings from 2024/25 continued to drive improvements in interim safety planning, multi‑agency attendance at core groups, and the quality and adaptability of risk management plans, with a further audit scheduled for 2026. CARM remained central to managing complex and high‑risk cases, including secure care and transition planning, ensuring defensible, multi‑agency decision‑making. This work aligns with wider TayPlan priorities through strengthened collaboration, reflective practice, and trauma‑responsive approaches.
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57 Dundee Please see update below. Perth & Kinross We are currently further developing our approach to young people aged 12 –18 considering forthcoming legislation. We have developed a team consisting of Through care after care service, children alone seeking asylum, bail supervision and youth justice to support young people who are not known already to the service, but who are referred either on offence grounds or vulnerability. The service will offer holistic support to young people using all of the services which already exist detailed above in youth services section. All young people at risk of harm in Perth and Kinross who require to be joint interviewed under the IRD process are considered for interview using the Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM). This is a trauma-informed and child-centred model which takes account of the young person’s individual needs before, during and after the interview itself. The child is at the centre of the process. This is consistent with the Bairns Hoose approach, which is being implemented in Perth and Kinross and across Tayside which commences at the point of IRD. Tayside has been chosen as a Pathfinder area. As part of Bairns Hoose in Perth and Kinross, all young people who are considered under the IRD process have access to Speech and Language and Health and Wellbeing support surrounding the child protection investigation. The Bairns Hoose model also ensures that children and young people have access to therapeutic support. This includes support from Includem, Family Change, Relationship Scotland and access to Music Therapy. (iii) Secure care standards will be implemented with evidence of rights-based practice. Baseline data (CARM data set under development) Angus March - August 25 CARM Tiered Training Framework to be incorporated into the Assessment Strategy
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58 Dundee • (i) Young people in our settings feel informed that their rights have been respected. • (ii) Young people at risk of harm have access to appropriate support and clear plans to address risk need and risk. • (iii) Secure care standards will be implemented with evidence of rights-based practice. The Vulnerable Adolescent Partnership has been reviewed and renewed its Terms of Reference and membership with a new Action Plan for 2025-2026. The strategic group has been rebranded as Dundee’s Young People’s Strategic Group with the aim of more positive framing and to capture the age group who are targeted through our approaches. The priorities for the group include establishing The Hub, a new multi-agency facility for young people to ensure more streamlined and specialist approaches for this age group and improve multi-agency practice pathways for 16-17 yr olds who are at risk and have the need for safeguarding in relation to harmful behaviours towards or from them. The group will be a formally constituted subgroup of the Protecting People Partnership with regular reporting into both the Children and Adults at Risk committees. The Hub is due to go live by early 2026 but partnership practice and approaches are already being developed in advance of this, including: • Joint triage of SCRA referrals • Interface between MASH and the Hub for new referrals • Development of Contextual safeguarding approaches, including Missing Persons. Over the last 12 months, there has been 5 Secure Care admissions on either welfare or offending grounds via CSWO or Court decisions. The Care and Justice (Scotland) Act 2024 has increased the number placed in Secure Care as an alternative to a custodial remand and the service continues to work with the Sheriff Court to promote alternatives. The Hub will include Community Justice Service staff and a new Pre-Court Team is being established to provide a single locus for Bail Supervision and the provision of Court Reports for both young people and adults. The Secure Care Policy will be reviewed and updated by Autumn 2025.
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59 A case file audit focused specifically on support to vulnerable adolescents rated over 80% of cases as Good or better overall and work continues to support teams to make further improvements in the quality of assessments, plans and chronologies. For 2024/25, 3 young people were subject to CARM, all for sexual offending. They had and initial CARM meeting and a review CARM but no further reviews, noting that risk could be managed within the TATC process. All meetings were multi- agency, including attendance by Police Scotland, NHS, Social Work, Education and third sector. So far this year, there have been 7 young people subject to CARM process. Two are for violent offending and 5 are for sexual offending. Two had an initial meeting with no requirement for review and the other 5 had at least 1 review meeting. The CARM protocol is being reviewed in the context of an anticipated Scottish Government review. Other services provided in response to the specific needs of young people include Bairns Hoose and SCIM interviews; Includem; AFC Supported Accommodation; two bespoke DCC Supported Accommodation facilities; and Hillcrest Substance Use support. In 2025-26, the local partnership took a key decision to stipulate that all 16–17-year-olds needs to be viewed as young people and where there are concerns about risk of harm, supported in the context of Child Protection arrangements. In addition, no 16–17-year-old will access homeless accommodation. Both are now implemented and reported in though our Children at Risk Committee. Perth & Kinross In 2025/26, Perth & Kinross maintained thorough risk assessments for all young people requiring a designated process. These individuals underwent the CARM (Care and Risk Management) Process. Just one young individual from Perth & Kinross Council qualified for secure care accommodation. The Perth & Kinross summary notes that this case underwent thorough and stringent review procedures.
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60 Our children and young people will be safe and feel loved We will make progress toward the implementation of Bairns’ Hoose Principles Progress Updates (i) Provide trauma responsive supports and services to children and young people involved in child protection. The Dundee Bairns Hoose site is fully set up, with Category A and Category B site capability, having two rooms. The Dundee Bairns Hoose received funding for a new co-located briefing and working room. This room is within the police office, and a wall has now been built and currently waiting on IT installing/ moving computers into this room. This will ensure that social work and police interviewers have a space where they can work together in planning interviews and creates a briefing room for managers to use. The Angus Bairns Hoose has a SCIM room where Police and Social Work staff are co-located, there are no further building works planned for the Angus site. Perth & Kinross continue to have a fully operational Cat A site. From April 2026 onwards additional supports will be available for children, young people and their families from Relationships Scotland alongside the current provision delivered by Includem.
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61 Our children and young people will be safe and feel loved We will introduce the Scottish Child Interview Model for children and young people. Progress Updates (i) Reduce the requirement for children and young people to attend court. The Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) went live in Tayside in May 2024. We are heading towards the completion of year two of the model and a full extensive report will be produced and available towards the end of Summer 2026. The target for year 2 of SCIM was to maintain our figures of a minimum of 70% of child interviews being completed under SCIM across Tayside. From April 2025 – Present (March 22/03/2026), 318 interviews (88.8%) were completed using SCIM across Tayside. The remaining 40 interviews were conducted using the previous 5-day model by the Investigation teams. Figures available up to the end of February 2026 show 82% of SCIM interviews have resulted in disclosure of criminality and on average the interview takes place within 12 days of the initial referral discussion (IRD). The national SCIM Implementation Group continues to provide local support to practitioners and maintains oversight of progress and quality assurance. We continue to operate a ‘soft border approach’ across the 3 LA areas to ensure we continue to be responsive to the needs of children across Tayside. Work continues with COPFS in respect of feedback around interviews being used as Evidence in Chief. Further work is also being undertaken to establish how many criminal enquiries generated from a SCIM interview lead to a charge being preferred.
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62 Our children and young people will be safe and feel loved We will jointly commission the development of local learning review guidance for all Protecting People arrangements Progress Updates Complete, as reported in 2024-25