We aim to reduce the number of children that are accommodated in residential accommodation outwith Shetland, as part of our overall improved performance for looked after children.
The Anchor for Families Team is now being established to provide support to children and their families across all of Shetland’s schools. Support can include making sure families are receiving all the financial support and benefits they are entitled to, speaking with council services, talking through issues and help to understand a child’s ‘Getting it right for every child’ (GIRFEC) plan. GIRFEC is a national commitment to make sure children get everything they need to grow up loved, safe and respected.
In addition, the Shetland Family Centre offers support to people who need it through early intervention and working closely with parents and other agencies to support families in all aspects of parenting.
In the last year, the centre ran free courses for parents in Shetland with a baby or young child to learn more about child development. The ‘Peerie Peeps’ programme helps parents to understand children’s personal, social and emotional development, as well as communication and language, early literacy and maths, and health and physical development.
The sessions are all about strengthening relationships and developing children’s listening, talking and playing skills.
Courses are part of the Peep Learning Together Programme, offered by national charity Peeple, which aims to improve children’s life chances and support parents to help their children and babies reach their full potential.
The Shetland Family Centre also provides the ‘Incredible Years Parenting Programme’, ‘Teen Triple P Parenting Programme’ and the ‘HENRY Healthy Families: Right from the Start Programme.’
