This week is #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek and it is all about supporting the systems around children and young people to help them feel they belong. Belonging and trusted relationships are vital to keeping the promise that Scotland’s children and young people will grow up loved, safe, and respected.

Thank you to @scvo.scot, our excellent panellists, and all those who attended our event at #SCVOGathering on Wednesday to discuss the ‘implementation gap’ with social care policy and legislation in Scotland. We're grateful to everyone for creating such an engaging and inspiring discussion.

Together's next online training workshop on taking a Children's Human Rights Approach #UNCRCScotland Join us for our next session on 📆Wednesday 25 February ⏰10:00-12:30 Find out more here: buff.ly/CXrWNnz Register here: buff.ly/EoODY5N

Yesterday on the sixth anniversary of the promise being made, the First Minister announced funding for projects to support the education and wellbeing of care experienced children and young people. Find out more here www.gov.scot/news/creatin...

We are pleased to see this Bill pass at Stage 1, moving Scotland closer to becoming a nation that does not restrain its children. We are committed to working with MSPs & the Scottish Government to put in place a statutory framework for restraint across all settings in line with the promise.

Are you working to keep the promise for brothers, sisters, siblings, and sibling-like relationships? Then our newsletter is for you! Read the most recent edition here: ow.ly/uCVh50Y5Y1x Sign up to receive future editions here: ow.ly/nEMT50Y5Y1w

MSPs of all parties have made a promise to the children of Scotland, by setting down targets to massively reduce the injustice of child poverty. By 2030 there should be no more than 10% of Scotland's children in relative poverty. But in 2025 the poverty rate among children was still a shocking 24%.

Scotland must provide children, young people, and care experienced adults with the support they need to thrive. We have outlined specific actions for the next Scottish Government in each of the five foundations to ensure the promise is kept: ow.ly/cgvX50XCYAh

@contactfamilies.bsky.social @barnardosscot.bsky.social

Become Policy & Public Affairs Officer Scotland at @barnardosscot.bsky.social 💰£32,811 – £44,304 🕒Full time 📌Hybrid: Edinburgh To find out more: tinyurl.com/mwdcbpzb

Children are being failed online, and the harm is happening every day. “Every day, children as young as six are being exposed to violent, abusive and dangerous content online, with the majority encountering pornographic content before they turn 18," said Lynn Perry, our Chief Executive. (1/3)

It was our pleasure to welcome Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire, to view one of the transitional flats that is used in the South Lanarkshire Futures service.

We’re partnering with AstraZeneca’s Young Health Programme UK to tackle health inequalities and empower young people 👏 In 3 years, we’ll support 50,000 families with food vouchers, toolkits & advocacy resources - helping them thrive. Learn more: www.barnardos.org.uk/news/barnard...

We welcome the decision of the Scottish Parliament to collectively vote to support the principles of this Bill. This is an important first step in legislation needed to keep the promise & we are committed to working with MSPs & the Scottish Government to continue to strengthen the Bill at Stage 2.

Scotland Director Martin Crewe has announced his retirement from the charity. Read the full story here: www.barnardos.org.uk/news/scotland-director-announces-retirement-charity

@barnardosscot.bsky.social are recruiting for 2 roles with their #employability services in Highland! ➡️Employability Project Worker, £28,124 – £37,117 ➡️ Employer Liaison Officer, £28,124 – £37,117

"Too many children are growing up exposed to harmful views about men and women that impact their attitudes towards relationships, sex and consent,” said Lynn Perry, our CEO. (1/2)

📆 Mark your calendars for February 11, 2026! We'll be at @scvo.scot's #SCVOGathering hosting a panel discussion on how to break the cycle of implementation failure in social care. Find out more and book your spot here (now open for for SCVO members!)🔗 bit.ly/48TrDmS

A massive festive thanks to Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance for supporting our work by supplying us with gifts that we can give to families that we support. 🎁💚🎄 Read all about their wonderful efforts here ⬇️ www.ayradvertiser.com/news/2569848...

The Community of Practice is looking forward to another busy year in 2026 and we hope to see you there. Tickets to our first event next year are available here: ow.ly/2A8v50XIoWB Interested in finding out more? Learn about the Community of Practice here: ow.ly/PAl750XIoWA

As a member of End Child Poverty we are calling for action on child poverty across the next parliament, including: • Increase the Scottish Child Payment • Improve access to fair & flexible work • Invest in affordable housing • Invest in whole-family support #EndChildPoverty

Our partner Intandem — which provides mentoring support to children in Scotland’s care service — is desperately seeking volunteer mentors in Ayrshire. Could you be the right person to help? Read all about the service below ⬇️ tfn.scot/news/urgent-...

We did it! The two-child limit ends in April - a change we fought for, lifting 350,000 children immediately out of poverty. But the job isn’t done. The benefit cap still holds families back. With nearly 1 in 3 children in poverty, the government must go further.

Missed the latest edition of our newsletter? Check it out here 👇 ow.ly/nT3w50Xz994 Want to get updates on our work and work happening across Scotland to keep the promise directly to your inbox? Sign up to The Promise Scotland newsletter today 📨 ow.ly/BTWe50Xz92M

Join our team! Do you have a passion for politics, in-depth knowledge of how Holyrood works and a thorough understanding of Scotland’s national political landscape? We’re recruiting now for a Parliamentary Officer. Find out more and apply today 🔗 ccpscotland.org/recruitment

🚨 Budget Day message from Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo's Scotland: “It is welcome news for children and families across Scotland that the UK Government has decided to end the two-child limit.

Again we would like to thank our friends who helped with the development of Navigate, including: @adoptionukscotland.bsky.social @childhealthscot.bsky.social @thepromise.scot @carerstrustscot.bsky.social @fosteringnet-scot.bsky.social @barnardosscot.bsky.social @celcis.org @stafscot.bsky.social

Reports suggest the government will remove the two-child benefit limit - a landmark step that could lift 350,000 children out of poverty. (1/2)

@ccpscotland.bsky.social is recruiting a Parliamentary Officer to help to position them with political stakeholders as a credible, solutions-focused strategic partner in the reform of social care tinyurl.com/ymhhhw3j £36,454 Edinburgh #charityjob

“It’s simply not right that across the UK, too many children are facing a harsh winter without the basics they need to stay warm, healthy and hopeful,” said Lynn Perry, our CEO. 300,000 children could be without a winter coat this year. Together, we can change this. 👉 Support today: brnw.ch/21wXCVS

According to our research, 15% of parents in Scotland say they will struggle to afford a coat or warm clothing that will keep their child or children warm this winter. ❄️🧥 Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/y3kb8sr2

"I didn’t grow up thinking I was poor,” said Walking Dead star and our ambassador Lennie James. On #BBCSounds, he recalls his mum making Christmas magical despite being unable to work. Help us bring back the magic of Christmas for children. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Congratulations to Eileen Milne MBE on the occasion of her (latest) retirement from all the amazing work she has done over the decades, including her voluntary work with Barnardo’s. Read all about Eileen's story here: www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/well-known-west-lothian-volunteer-36256754

linktr.ee/iamme2015 Based on real-life experiences. Four young people. Four different stories. One powerful question: Should I tell someone? Complex relationships, peer pressure and blurred boundaries @renfrewshire.gov.uk @nspcc.bsky.social @barnardosscot.bsky.social youtu.be/AirJ9ACr3zg

Our Clackmannanshire & Stirling Services have been awarded funding to help young people face the root causes homelessness.🏘️ “This project will enable us to intervene earlier and help our young people build stability and brighter futures.” Full story: tinyurl.com/5cufwh7d

Thrilled to work with amazing young people, @renfrewshire.gov.uk, @nspcc.bsky.social, @barnardosscot.bsky.social on Should I Tell Someone? 🎬 Real stories highlighting exploitation & how we can all protect young people. 💙 #Safeguarding

We've signed @thepromise.scot's open letter to parties running in the 2026 Holyrood election. We're asking them to keep the promise by committing to "making Scotland a place where all its children grow up loved, safe and respected and realise their full potential." 🔗 thepromise.scot/news/open-le...

We’ve joined 100+ organisations urging the government to scrap the two-child limit. It drives child poverty. “It’s our moral duty to work towards eliminating child poverty in this country," said our CEO, @lynnanneperry.bsky.social Learn more here: brnw.ch/21wXq4j

We’re delighted to have 32 organisations join our call for all political parties to commit to keeping the promise through the duration of the next Scottish parliament. Read the joint letter & our pre-election paper which sets out the specific actions needed: ow.ly/NyKb50XpSqS

This story focuses on Imagine Care's Lochend house and how they use an emphasis on attunement and enablement to create a safe, stable, and nurturing home for the young people and those caring for them. Read more here: ow.ly/TKlg50XehKb (2/2)

Since the promise was made, people and organisations across Scotland have been working to bring about the transformative change the Independent Care Review demands. Their learning stories can help you as part of your journey. (1/2)

@barnardosscot.bsky.social is looking for a committed and experienced Practice Manager to join their Fostering team in Glasgow tinyurl.com/2wy3fpj4 £46,147 – £48,749 pro-rata #charityjob

newsmediauk.org/making-a-dif... @aberlourcharity.bsky.social @actionforchildren.bsky.social @amnesty.org @barnardosscot.bsky.social @celcis.org @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social @cpaguk.bsky.social @childrenfirst.bsky.social @cypcs.bsky.social @crer-scotland.bsky.social @familiesoutside.bsky.social

@barnardosscot.bsky.social are recruiting for Project Workers - Community & Family Support to extend their offer to children, young people and families in South East Scotland 📍Edinburgh & Lothians 💷Level 1 £25,492–£29,726 Level 2 £28,124–£37,116 📅Full time tinyurl.com/bde2s9e3 #CharityJobs

Cold homes. Empty cupboards. Rising costs. Impossible choices. Behind the sparkle of the season, too many families are struggling just to get through winter. No child should feel left out at Christmas. 💚 Write to your MP to demand change: brnw.ch/21wWBvq #ChildPoverty

We are deeply concerned with the findings of today's @mentalwelfare.bsky.social report. The promise is clear that Scotland must strive to become a nation that does not restrain its children

Are you working to #KeepThePromise? Do you have a problem you are working to solve? Design Lite could be right for you! Join us this November for a series of sessions focused on introducing you to service design and co-design principles. Sign up here: ow.ly/7APE50WPJfW

Too many children in Scotland are living in poverty. We will be joining End Child Poverty Scotland partners at the #ScotlandDemandsBetter march to demand change this Saturday, in Edinburgh. Find out more here: www.scotland-demands-better.com/march-and-ra...

The Gift of Christmas Appeal Fife brings joy to local children on Christmas Day. But organisers need a new space in order to store gift bags that go children in the area. Can you help? Read more here: tinyurl.com/49de7drk

Check out this podcast featuring our Equally Safe service, which has a focus on relationships and partnering with survivors. Season 6, Ep 16: Centring Survivor voices: How Scottish services shift blame, raise fatherhood standards and heal families. Link: tinyurl.com/5b99du6c