The health and wellbeing of children and young people lies at the heart of our work and the principles of the UNCRC are embedded in everything we do. Founded in 1961, as Mother Care for Children in Hospital, Children’s Health Scotland has grown to become the leading children’s healthcare charity in Scotland. We are the only charity dedicated to working with, and campaigning for, children and young people in our healthcare system. We provide direct support and advice for children of all ages, including the all-important early years, with health-related play, training workshops,1:1 support for foster and kinship carers, and award-winning Self-Management Skills Programmes that help children and young people cope with their long-term conditions. Our campaigns give children and young people in Scotland a national voice, while three discrete services provide direct information and support.
SERVICES
Children & Young People Health Rights Services
Our Children & Young People Health Rights Services are underpinned by Article 24 of the UNCRC which states that every child has the right to the “highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health,” and we strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his/her right of access to such healthcare. This service provides expertise, information, and resources regarding the healthcare rights of children and young people and offers popular health-related play workshops about going to hospital or visiting the dentist, using highly effective play resources to help children to prepare for visits or treatments.
Children & Young People Health and Wellbeing Services
We provide services to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people and those who love and care for them. Our aim is to improve their life experiences (which meets with UNCRC Articles 14 and 24) through our range of Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes. We also provide expertise, information, and training that focuses on managing anxieties around health issues and practising skills and coping strategies to promote health and wellbeing.
Care Experienced Children & Young People Services
There are often complex healthcare issues for children in care, so we tailor our training to help Foster Carers and Kinship Carers gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare needs and rights of children and young people. We offer a range of health and wellbeing support for Foster Carers, Kinship Carers, and the children they care for, including expertise, information, training, workshops, mini taster sessions, and one-to-one support.
A National Voice
In addition to providing direct services, we are a national voice for healthcare issues relating to children and young people. We regularly campaign on matters affecting the health and wellbeing of children and young people and respond to consultations and discussion papers from the Scottish Government, regulators, and other relevant organisations. As the leading children’s healthcare charity in Scotland, our responses are informed by the experiences of children and young people with health conditions, their families and carers, and the opinions of our expert advisors.
Cost
In the majority of cases there are no charges for the services we deliver. Individuals can become friends of CHS and make a donation to support our work. Contact the organisation for details.
Address
Children's Health Scotland
22 Laurie Street
EDINBURGH
EH6 7AB
United Kingdom
Phone: 01315536553
Website: http://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/
Email: enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org
Helpline number: 01315536553
