Action for Children Scotland

20/08/2026

As the summer holidays come to an end and children head back to school, we're reflecting on some of the special moments families shared over the break ☀️

One highlight was a fantastic day out to Blair Drummond Safari Park for families supported by our Upper Nithsdale Family Support Service 🦓🐘🐆

The trip gave children, young people and their families the chance to spend quality time together, enjoy new experiences and have fun in a welcoming and inclusive environment. From spotting amazing animals to playing in the park, it was a great opportunity for families to relax, connect and make positive memories together.

The feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the day as a highlight of their summer and sharing how much they valued the opportunity to spend time together and make memories outside their usual routines.

This is just one of many trips that families across our services enjoyed over the holidays!

14/08/2026

🌟 We were proud to be featured in this story on STV News last night about Unheard Voices, Unbroken Spirits - a powerful musical that has grown from a Voices of The Promise partnership with Action for Children into a production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The feature highlights how the show has amplified the voices of care-experienced young people, challenged stigma and created opportunities for young people to share their experiences through creativity and performance at the world’s biggest arts festival.

Our Operational Director, Liann Weir, reflected on the importance of challenging perceptions of care experience and what it has meant for our organisation to help empower young people to tell their own stories in their own voices.

The piece also gave three of the young people who helped write and produce the musical the opportunity to speak directly to a national audience about their experiences. Their courage, talent and advocacy are helping to change perceptions of care experience and ensure young people's voices are heard.

🎭 You can learn more and book tickets to see the show here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/unheard-voices-unbroken-spirits

06/08/2026

We are looking for a Registered Manager to join our Residential team at Pentland Way in Penicuik, Midlothian.

This specialist residential service supports young people aged 16-21 with learning disabilities and autism as they build confidence, independence and life skills.

You’ll provide strong, child‑centred leadership for the home and be part of a dedicated team creating positive outcomes for young people every day.

✨ A salary of £40,000 a year
✨ Full time, 37 hours per week
✨Over 7 weeks' annual leave
✨ Excellent training and development opportunities
✨ Blue Light Card discounts
✨ Flexible full and part-time opportunities available

Find out how you can make a difference to the lives of young people.

🔗 https://fa-evrg-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/13463/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

Fantastic opportunity to join us in a pivotal role in Penicuik!

04/08/2026

🍀 Good luck to everyone across Scotland receiving their results today.

We know today can bring a mix of emotions. Whatever your results, remember they are just one moment in your journey and there are plenty of opportunities and pathways ahead.

If you're unsure about your next steps or need advice, support is available:

📞 Skills Development Scotland Results Helpline: 0808 100 8000
🌐 My World of Work: myworldofwork.co.uk

📞 Qualifications Scotland: 0345 279 1000
🌐 Qualifications Scotland: www.qualifications.gov.scot

For parents and carers, we've also got a helpful ParentTalk article with practical advice on supporting your young person through Results Day and beyond: https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/school-life/school-work-homework/exam-results-support/

Today is about recognising the hard work that got you here. Whatever comes next, remember there is no wrong path ⭐️

28/07/2026

🥳 We're delighted to announce that Mark Cox, best known as Tam from Still Game, will be hosting this year's Big Braw Quiz!

Join us on 12 November at Glasgow's iconic Old Fruitmarket for an unforgettable evening of laughs, friendly competition and fundraising, all in support of children and families across the UK.

Following the incredible success of last year's event, which raised £50,000 for Action for Children, we're back and bigger than ever.

Gather your colleagues, clients or friends and put your knowledge to the test as you compete for the coveted Clan Braw trophy.

Expect great food, plenty of Scottish-themed fun, networking opportunities and, of course, some gallus patter from our special host.

👥 Final tables of 10 remaining
📅 12 November 2026
📍 Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow

Don't miss your chance to be part of what promises to be our biggest and brawest quiz yet. Secure your table today 👉 https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/support-us/fundraise-with-us/special-events-and-corporate-events/big-braw-quiz-2026/

24/07/2026

Last weekend, we were proud to be part of Pride Glasgow, joining thousands of people in a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion and equality 🏳️‍🌈

It was fantastic to march alongside LGBTQ+ communities, allies and organisations from across Scotland, showing our support for a society where everyone feels valued, respected and free to be themselves.

We also had an Action for Children Scotland Fostering information stall and loved meeting so many people throughout the day. Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat, shared their experiences, asked questions and took the time to learn more about becoming foster carers.

Action for Children

16/07/2026

Our Edinburgh team recently attended Passion4Fusion’s Culture Connect Festival, connecting with children, young people, families and community organisations from across the city.

The day was a fantastic celebration of culture, diversity and inclusion, bringing people together through music, food, sport and family activities. Alongside raising awareness of Child Criminal Exploitation, the team had the opportunity to listen and build valuable connections with local communities and partner organisations.

We're proud to support events that bring people together and help ensure our services are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of young people and families 🌟

Action for Children

13/07/2026

We were delighted to welcome the President of The Methodist Church, Revd Mark Slaney, to our West Lothian Therapeutic Activities Clubs and Outreach Services in Livingston - his first official visit as President.

Joined by National Director for Scotland, Fiona Steel, the Revd Mark met colleagues, children and young people to learn more about the vital support our team provides for children and young people with disabilities and complex needs.

From therapeutic activities and outreach support to holiday programmes, the visit showcased the dedication, expertise and compassion of our colleagues, and the positive impact they have on families every day.

The visit also celebrated our long-standing connection with the Methodist Church. Action for Children was founded in 1869 by Methodist minister Revd Thomas Bowman Stephenson, and we're proud that, more than 150 years later, the Church continues to champion and support our mission to give every child the safe and happy childhood they deserve.

19/06/2026

This week we attended the National Youth Justice Conference in Stirling, hosted by the Children and Young People's Centre for Justice. The event brought together practitioners, academics, policymakers and third sector organisations from across Scotland to explore themes of diversity, inequality and justice.

We heard from The Scottish Government’s new Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Siobhian Brown MSP, alongside a range of speakers discussing children’s rights, participation, trauma-informed practice, integrated care and improving outcomes for children and young people involved in the justice system.

It was a valuable opportunity to learn, reflect and connect with colleagues committed to building a fairer and more effective youth justice system in Scotland.

Action for Children

16/06/2026

What a special way to end this year’s Roots of Empathy programme at Newark Primary School in Inverclyde! 👶

Last week, our National Director for Scotland, Fiona Steel, joined Primary 4 pupils and staff for their final session, celebrating months of learning about emotions, empathy and kindness.

Since October 2025, the class has welcomed their “tiny teacher” Reo and his mum, Hannah, a volunteer parent with the programme, into their classroom. With support from Roots of Empathy Instructor Sarah, pupils have learned to recognise emotions, understand different perspectives, and build the social and emotional skills that help create caring, inclusive communities.

There was even an unforgettable milestone along the way, as Reo rolled over for the very first time during one of the sessions, much to the delight of the pupils! 👏

Roots of Empathy is an award-winning early intervention programme that helps children develop emotional literacy and empathy, while reducing aggression and bullying and encouraging behaviours such as caring, sharing and inclusion.

Since 2010, Action for Children has supported over 25,000 pupils across 22 local authorities in Scotland through this programme.