Commissioner for Children and Young People addresses the Social Care Council.

Posted on Monday, 01 February 2010 04:12PM by Chris McNaught

Tam Bailey, Commissioner for Children and Young People, addressed the Social Care Council at their meeting, hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, in the Parish Halls on 9th December.  Tam highlighted his priorities for Scotland’s children which include reducing inequality and poverty, raising awareness of the Unitied Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and improving Early Years services.  Tam (pictured) commented that by providing the right services, even before a child is born, the life of that child and his family can be greatly enhanced – not to mention the great saving to be made to the public purse.  The commissioner pointed out the great disparity between Scotland and Scandinavia in the percentage of the GNP spent on Scotland’s children.  Tam spoke of his work around schools in raising awareness around the UNCRC and the enthusiasm with which he has been met by children wanting to improve the lives of children in third world countries.  Tam plans to do a road trip around schools in Scotland in the Spring to launch the Big Blether, a consultation with school age children throughout Scotland and the wee blether with nursery age children. Tam commented on the work that goes on within Scotland’s churches around playgroups and other clubs and noted how valuable it is.  In a lively question time following Tam’s presentation, members of the Council sought the commissioner’s views on the role of the Church in promoting family values and moral teaching to which he replied that was an important role for all organisations including the Church.  Tam commented positively on the huge value of CrossReach’s intergenerational linkages.  Rev Syd Graham, our Convener, spoke of the many opportunities we as the Social Care Council have through our varied services to enhance the lives of people of all ages.