CYSPS Annual Report 24-25
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 December 2025
Back to Community Services Committee — 11 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 CYPSP Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Executive Summary The Children and Young People Service Plan (CYPSP) builds on previous strategies and was co-produced by listening to children, young people, and families. Its core aim is to promote wellbeing and improve life chances for all children and young people in Argyll and Bute. It is legally required under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and aligns with national priorities. Governance and Partnership Structure Governance: Community Planning Partnership IJB Community Services Committee Argyll and Bute’s Children - Strategic Group Rotating Chair Partnership working involves Argyll and Bute Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland, education, social care, voluntary sector, and most importantly, children and families. Integration with other plans: Links to the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP), Corporate Parenting Plan, and Child Protection Plan. The evidence-base for the CYPSP is underpinned by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. Strategic Priorities and Outcomes The CYPSP sets out a shared vision to improve outcomes for children and young people across Argyll and Bute. It is underpinned by GIRFEC, UNCRC, and The Promise, and aligns with national strategies such as the Mental Health Strategy, Healthy Weight Delivery Plan, and local frameworks including the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP), Child Poverty Action Plan, and Corporate Parenting Plan. Priority 1: Early Help and Support Aim: Provide timely, accessible support to prevent escalation of issues and promote healthy development. Appendix 1
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 Key Successes: • Child Poverty: o 2024–25 Action Plan approved; poverty rate reduced from 23.5% to 22.1%. o Children co-produced a graphic version of the plan. o £70,000 SG Fairer Futures funding secured for “Connecting for Good” project. • Breastfeeding: o Achieved UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold Accreditation. o Breastfeeding rates: 72.8% at first HV visit; 54.1% at 6–8 weeks. • Infant Food Insecurity Pilot: o £30 vouchers distributed to families in crisis • Childhood Obesity: o PEACH intervention programme delivered; CAMHS dietitian in post. o Thrive website under development for lifestyle and parenting advice. Long-Term Goals: 85% of pre-school children meeting developmental milestones; reduction in child poverty and obesity; breastfeeding-friendly communities. Priority 2: Mental Health and Wellbeing Aim: Improve access to mental health services and embed trauma-informed practice. Key Successes: • School Counselling: o Embedded in all schools; expanded to under-10s. o 700 pupils accessed counselling; 83% reported positive change. • Nurture (OCTNE): o 52 schools engaged; SAC evaluation shows major improvements (94% pupils ready to learn vs 85% in 2022). • Parent Project: o 220 parents supported; 403 sessions delivered; 80–90% report improved knowledge and confidence. • Kooth Digital Support: o Registrations rose from 25 (Q1) to 101 (Q3); 517 logins in Q4. • Family Liaison Officers: o Supporting 21 families with attendance and wellbeing barriers. • Distress Brief Intervention (DBI): o 90% participants report improved ability to manage distress.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 • Trauma Training: o 302 participants trained; strong evaluation scores; DDP training improving therapeutic relationships. • Neurodevelopmental Pathways: o Single Point of Access launching Oct 2025; o Long-Term Goals: Positive impact of early mental health support; robust neurodiversity pathways; advocacy influencing planning. Priority 3: GIRFEC Aim: Embed GIRFEC principles across all services to ensure streamlined, child- centered support. Key Successes: • Evaluation of current approaches completed. • GIRFEC website updated (Aug 2025); stakeholder feedback underway. • Mapping of training resources (LEON, Turas Learn) and agency tools (Wellbeing Wheel App). • Child’s Plan Audit subgroup established; multi-agency audit scheduled for Oct 2025. • Development of multi-agency 7-minute briefing and GIRFEC Pathway initiated. Long-Term Goals: Transformational change embedded; “One Child, One Assessment, One Plan” approach achieved; improved outcomes for families. Priority 4: Rights and Participation Aim: Ensure meaningful participation and embed UNCRC duties across services. Key Successes: • UNCRC Implementation: o Became law July 2024; integrated impact assessment tool live; training underway. • Rights Respecting Schools: o All schools engaged; only 4 yet to gain accreditation (target July 2025). • Child-Friendly Complaints: o Training on LEON and Turas Learn; good practice shared nationally.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 • Planet Youth: o Surveys planned for all S3 & S4 pupils in Sept 2025; expected 100% engagement increase. • Young Carers Challenge: o 13 schools registered with Carers Trust. • Children’s Rights Framework: o Published and adopted for UNCRC Implementation Group. Long-Term Goals: Children and young people co-design next CYPSP; improved outcomes for care- experienced children through active involvement. Alignment with National and Local Frameworks • National: GIRFEC, UNCRC, The Promise, Mental Health Strategy, Healthy Weight Delivery Plan. • Local: Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan, Child Poverty Action Plan, Corporate Parenting Plan, Community Planning Partnership priorities. Progress and Impact The CYPSP continues to deliver measurable improvements across its four strategic priorities: Early Help and Support, Mental Health and Wellbeing, GIRFEC, and Rights and Participation. These achievements demonstrate a strong commitment to national frameworks (GIRFEC, UNCRC, The Promise) and local priorities (LOIP, Child Poverty Action Plan). 1. Early Help and Support Progress: • Child Poverty Action Plan reviewed and approved; poverty rate reduced from 23.5% to 22.1%. • £70,000 SG Fairer Futures funding secured for “Connecting for Good” project. • Infant Food Insecurity Pilot supported families in crisis with emergency vouchers. • Breastfeeding rates improved (72.8% at first HV visit; 54.1% at 6–8 weeks); UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold Accreditation achieved. • PEACH intervention programme delivered; Thrive website under development for healthy lifestyle support. Impact:
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 • Increased resilience in families through targeted financial and nutritional support. • Improved early years health outcomes and reduced inequalities in breastfeeding rates. • Enhanced community capacity to support healthy weight and wellbeing. 2. Mental Health and Wellbeing Progress: • School counselling embedded in all schools; expanded to under 10s (700 pupils supported, 83% positive change). • Nurture (OCTNE) programme strengthened; SAC evaluation shows major improvements in readiness to learn and inclusion. • Parent Project delivered 403 sessions; 80–90% of parents report improved confidence and strategies. • Kooth digital mental health support uptake increased significantly (517 logins in Q4). • Trauma-informed practice scaled up: 302 staff trained; DDP training improving therapeutic relationships. • Neurodevelopmental Pathways: Single Point of Access launching Oct 2025 Impact: • Improved mental health access and outcomes for children and families. • Stronger parental engagement and capacity to support wellbeing. • Reduced barriers to school attendance and engagement through Family Liaison Officers. 3. GIRFEC Progress: • Evaluation of current approaches completed. • GIRFEC website updated (Aug 2025) and shared for feedback. • Mapping of training resources and agency tools underway. • Child’s Plan Audit subgroup established; multi-agency audit scheduled for Oct 2025. • Development of multi-agency 7-minute briefing and GIRFEC Pathway initiated. Impact:
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 • Foundations laid for streamlined processes and “One Child, One Assessment, One Plan” approach. • Increased consistency and accountability across agencies. • Improved visibility of child and family voice in planning. 4. Rights and Participation Progress: • UNCRC became law (July 2024); integrated impact assessment tool live; training underway. • Rights Respecting Schools: all schools engaged; only 4 yet to gain accreditation. • Child-friendly complaints process implemented; good practice shared nationally. • Planet Youth surveys planned for all S3 & S4 pupils (Sept 2025). • Young Carers Challenge promoted; 13 schools registered. Impact: • Strengthened rights-based culture across services. • Increased engagement and empowerment of children and young people in decision-making. • Improved compliance with legislative duties and national standards. Overall Impact • Better outcomes for children and families: Improved health, wellbeing, and educational engagement. • System transformation: Progress toward integrated pathways and trauma- informed practice. • Rights embedded in practice: Children’s voices influencing policy and service design. Participation and Engagement Embedding the voice of children, young people, and families is a cornerstone of the Argyll and Bute CYPSP. This commitment aligns with UNCRC, The Promise, and GIRFEC principles, ensuring that planning and service delivery are rights-based and participatory.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 Current Actions and Structures • Young People’s Advisory Panel: Established to provide direct input into strategic decisions. Argyll and Bute had their first Youth Conference in November 2025 to influence the priorities of the next CYPSP • Co-Design of Plans: Children and young people have co-created accessible versions of key documents, including a graphic Child Poverty Action Plan and an animated CYPSP summary. • Engagement in GIRFEC Development: Phase 2 of the GIRFEC workstream (starting Sept 2025) will include a subgroup dedicated to capturing the voice of the child in service delivery and the Child Planning process. This will also involve gathering family experiences to inform improvements. • Planet Youth Surveys: Scheduled for all S3 and S4 pupils in September 2025, providing community- level insights into wellbeing and priorities. • Rights Respecting Schools: Nearly all schools have achieved accreditation, embedding a culture of participation and rights awareness. • Advocacy Services: Strengthened through a dedicated Participation Officer role, ensuring care- experienced children influence planning and service design. Impact of Participation • Policy Influence: Feedback from young people has shaped the Child Poverty Action Plan and informed priorities for early help and mental health services. • Improved Accessibility: Child-friendly complaints processes and reporting tools have been implemented, making systems easier for families to navigate. • Future Planning: Children and young people will co-design the next CYPSP (2026–2030), ensuring their voices remain central to strategic development. .Workforce Development • GIRFEC Training: o Mapping of online resources (LEON, Turas Learn) underway.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 o Development of a multi-agency 7-minute briefing to strengthen understanding of GIRFEC principles. o Updated training timetable planned for roll-out across agencies. o Child’s Plan Audit subgroup established to ensure quality and consistency in practice. • Trauma-Informed Practice: o 302 participants trained in Trauma Informed and Skilled levels across education, health, social work, and third sector. o DDP (Dyadic Developmental Practice) training and supervision embedded, improving therapeutic relationships and emotional regulation. o Evaluation shows strong impact on staff confidence and service culture. • Children’s Rights Training: o Turas Learn and LEON platform used for UNCRC and child-friendly complaints training. o Monitoring engagement to assess uptake and effectiveness. o Rights Respecting Schools programme embedded in almost all schools (only 4 schools pending accreditation). Embedding Children’s Rights • UNCRC Implementation: o Became law in July 2024; integrated impact assessment tool launched and training initiated. o Child-friendly complaints process developed and shared as good practice nationally. o Children’s Rights, Skills & Knowledge Framework published as a single point of reference for staff. • Participation Structures: o Young People’s Advisory Panel established to influence strategic decisions. o Co-design of accessible versions of key plans (graphic Child Poverty Action Plan, animated CYPSP summary). o Planet Youth surveys planned for all S3 & S4 pupils to inform priorities. • Rights Respecting Schools: o All schools engaged; accreditation nearly complete. o Promotes a rights-based culture and active participation in school communities. .Equality and Rights Argyll and Bute has taken significant steps to meet its statutory duties under the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act, which became law on 16 July 2024:
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 • Integrated Impact Assessment Tool: Developed and launched to ensure children’s rights are considered in all policy and service decisions. Training is underway to embed its use across services. • Child-Friendly Processes: o Child-friendly complaints system implemented, with training available on LEON and Turas Learn. o Good practice shared nationally (e.g., with Glasgow City Council). • Rights Respecting Schools: All schools engaged; only four remain to achieve accreditation. This embeds a rights-based culture in education settings. • Children’s Rights Framework: Published as a single point of reference for staff, guiding compliance and best practice. • Monitoring and Reporting: Development of a shared framework to track progress against legislative duties. Engagement data from LEON training is being monitored. Equality Actions • Inclusive Engagement: Planet Youth surveys planned for all S3 & S4 pupils to capture diverse voices and inform priorities. Young Carers Challenge promoted across schools to address equality for young carers. • Procurement Compliance: Statement under development for inclusion in contracts to ensure suppliers consider children’s rights and equality impacts. • Reducing Inequalities: o Child Poverty Action Plan implemented, showing a reduction in child poverty rates (23.5% to 22.1%). o Breastfeeding initiatives targeted at groups with historically lower rates, reducing health inequalities. • Training and Awareness: UNCRC and equality principles embedded in staff training through LEON and multi-agency briefings. Impact • Rights-based decision-making is becoming standard practice. • Increased accountability through integrated assessments and audits.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 • Improved access and inclusion for vulnerable groups, including care-experienced children and young carers. Future Plans 1. Early Help and Support • Early Years Advice Line launching November 2025 to provide parents with early intervention strategies. • Development of Thrive website for lifestyle and parenting advice. • Expansion of school-based prevention programmes for healthy weight (currently paused due to funding). • Continued evaluation of PEACH intervention programme and establishment of Tier 3 pathway for childhood obesity. 2. Mental Health and Wellbeing • Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health and neurodevelopmental services launching August 2025. • Development of digital resources hub for parents/carers and professionals. • Ongoing evaluation of Kooth digital support and Parent Project for sustainability beyond 2025. • Secure long-term funding for Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) and explore expansion to younger age groups. • Strengthen trauma-informed practice through continued training and leadership engagement. 3. GIRFEC • Phase 2 (Sept 2025): o Subgroup to capture child and family voice in service delivery and Child Planning process. o Broaden representation from third sector, health, education, and social work. • Complete multi-agency audit of Child’s Plans by October 2025. • Develop and implement GIRFEC Pathway and shared resource platform. • Update training timetable and roll out multi-agency 7-minute briefing.
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Beth Wiseman Senior Manager Child Health and Maternity November 2025 4. Rights and Participation • Complete Rights Respecting Schools accreditation for remaining schools by July 2025. • Deliver Planet Youth surveys for all S3 & S4 pupils in September 2025. • Monitor engagement with UNCRC training and integrated impact assessments. • Continue development of child-friendly complaints system and reporting tools. Cross-Cutting Actions • Secure sustainable funding for fixed-term posts (e.g., CAMHS dietitian, Family Liaison Officers). • Strengthen data collection and evaluation across all workstreams. • Embed rights-based and trauma-informed approaches in all service planning. • Ensure efficient cross cutting base line data for future priorities and outcomes.