Children’s Health Scotland Addresses Growing Concern on School Non-Attendance in Scotland
Thursday 29 February, 2024
Children’s Health Scotland is a non-profit organization that works directly with children and young people with health conditions. Through their work, they have noticed a growing concern in Scotland regarding the increasing number of children and young people missing out on attending school.
Rhianne Forrest, Health Rights Officer at Children’s Health Scotland, commented on school attendance and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill that will come into force on 16 July 2024. She stated, “Article 28 states that children and young people have the right to education, no matter who they are. Therefore, we believe that a change is needed within our education system to create a society that actively upholds the rights of its youngest members, fostering a culture of compassion, understanding, and social responsibility.”
Forrest also addressed the high levels of anxiety reported by children and young people, which can make it harder for them to return to school after missing out on social interactions and events. She pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has only added to this anxiety, as children were told to stay home and stay safe to protect others and stop the spread of the illness. Now, with schools reopening, children and young people are facing a new and uncertain world.
The concern over school non-attendance is reflected in recent reports, with attendance rates in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland at 86.8% compared to 93.5% in the 20% least deprived areas (The Scottish Government summery statistics for schools in Scotland 2023).
Forrest also emphasized the importance of using empathetic language when discussing school non-attendance. She expressed concern over the lack of empathy shown by the UK government’s recent posters encouraging parents to get their children back to school, no matter how they are feeling. “There is a lot going on in the lives of children and young people in Scotland 2024 – they aren’t staying away from school simply because of a runny nose,” she said.
She went on to explain that these children and young people are not refusing to go to school, but their anxiety prevents them from attending. By changing the language and understanding the situation, they can be better supported in building self-confidence, self-esteem, and social inclusion. This is crucial in fostering a positive relationship between children and young people and their school community.
Children’s Health Scotland recently piloted a Programme with NHS Forth Valley to address school non-attendance at Denny High School. The bespoke Self-Management Skills Programme, co-designed by children and young people, focused on improving confidence and self-esteem while facing feelings of social isolation. The Programme also included education on children’s rights, but the main focus was on fun, learning, and developing self-management skills to help young people feel more in control of their lives.
The pilot Programme was a success, with 80% of the young people reporting improved confidence, 70% reporting higher self-esteem, and 100% feeling more socially included. “This Programme was an important step forward in giving young people the tools to understand their relationship with their health and well-being, enabling them to have positive outcomes and experiences when attending school,” said Forrest.
The success of the pilot showed the importance of putting young people at the center and actively listening to them when developing effective Programmes. As the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill comes into force, it is more crucial than ever to defend the rights of children and young people.
Article 28 of the Convention states that children and young people have the right to education, regardless of their race, gender, disability, or circumstances. Article 29 states that their education should help them develop their minds, bodies, and talents. “Every child has the explicit right to education and the right to be supported and respected during times when their anxiety prevents them from attending school,” said Forrest.
Children’s Health Scotland is working towards helping young people attend school through their SMS Programmes. These Programmes focus on empathy, understanding, and respect and have shown to boost confidence, self-esteem, and engagement with the school community. “If adults come together to understand and get it right for every child, then we can help shape a generation of children who listen, understand, and support one another – just look at them now,” concluded Forrest.
Children’s Health Scotland has recently worked with the Healthier Futures, Why Weight Team at NHS Forth Valley to pilot the SMS Healthier Futures Schools Programme at Denny High School. The Programme was co-designed with young people and runs over five weeks, with two-hour sessions each week.
Michelle Wilson, Head of Service at Children’s Health Scotland, said, “The feedback from the young people and the school has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are now seeking funding to run further Programmes this year.”
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Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.