NSPCC Scotland

08/06/2026

📣 Every baby deserves a safe, permanent home💚

Too many of Scotland’s youngest children are being left in limbo while decisions about their care are delayed.

Babies are the most vulnerable members of our society. Nearly half of children on Scotland’s child protection register are under one year old, and infants face the highest risk of serious harm.

A story in The Herald today highlights serious delays in care decisions, leaving many babies in harmful uncertainty at a critical stage of their development.

The earliest years shape lifelong mental health - and waiting too long for a secure home can have lasting impacts.

This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week we are speaking up for babies.

We would never accept years of instability and uncertainty for our own babies. We must no longer accept it for Scotland’s children in the care system, the children who need us most.

For the full story visit: www.heraldscotland.com/politics/holyrood/26172983.nspcc-scotland-why-care-delays-leave-infants-limbo/

Why does it take longer to secure permanent care homes for babies in Scotland, asks the NSPCC.

08/06/2026

04/06/2026

☀️ Calling all schools, nurseries and families in Scotland - join our Summer of Fun!

We’re inviting children across Scotland to get involved in the NSPCC’s Summer of Fun – a new fundraising event packed with activities, laughter and learning 💚

From bear hunts and guided walks to creative challenges and even Ant and Dec’s Propa Happy Playtime Power, there are free resources for nurseries and schools to help children have fun while learning important messages about staying safe.

Children can also get creative with fundraising – whether it’s a bake sale, dance competition, tea party or even a sponsored silence (perfect for teachers 👀).

Funds raised will support vital NSPCC services, including our Speak out. Stay safe. programme, which helps children recognise abuse and know who they can turn to if something is worrying them.

👉 Find out more or sign up: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/charity-fundraising/schools-fundraising-ideas/summer-of-fun

03/06/2026

As Pride Month begins, Childline is reminding young people they’re not alone 💚

Last year, we delivered almost 2,500 counselling sessions about sexuality and gender identity - with coming out the biggest worry for many.

A trans girl from Scotland, aged 14, told Childline: “I feel like the world is against me when I read the news about trans people like me. I tried to bring this up at school, but they refused to discuss it, saying we shouldn’t have political conversations. I feel like we’re not being listened to. Why can’t we just be ourselves?”

Every child deserves to feel accepted and heard. Our counsellors are here for any young person who has worries about sexuality and gender issues.

📞 Childline is here 24/7
Call 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk

02/06/2026

This Volunteers’ Week (1–7 June), we’re celebrating the incredible difference volunteers make for children across Scotland 💚

If you’re thinking about giving back to your community, volunteering with the NSPCC is a meaningful way to support children and young people when they need it most.

One way to get involved is by becoming a Childline counsellor. Our bases in Aberdeen and Glasgow are always looking for new volunteers to help answer the thousands of contacts we receive. Volunteers play a vital role in being there to listen.

You could also support our Schools Service, delivering our Speak out, Stay safe workshops in primary schools. These sessions help children understand their right to be safe, recognise the signs of abuse, and know who they can turn to for help. Last year, we reached more than 60,000 children across Scotland — and with your help, we can reach even more in 2026.

✅ Full training is provided
✅ Flexible volunteering around work and family life
✅ A chance to make a real difference

Volunteers often tell us it’s the enthusiasm and curiosity of the children they meet that makes the role so special.

👉 If this sounds like something for you, find out more and get involved: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/volunteering-nspcc-childline/

Together, we can help keep children safe 💚

01/06/2026

Young people have shared powerful messages with Scotland’s new Scottish Education Secretary Máiri McAllan - calling for every child to have access to education about healthy relationships.

Right now, Scotland is the only nation in the UK where this key part of the curriculum is not legally required, and through our work with young people they have told us that healthy relationships education can be patchy and inconsistent in schools.

Learning about healthy relationships helps children:
✅ understand healthy and unhealthy relationships
✅ build respect, responsibility and empathy in relationships
✅ recognise inappropriate behaviour and abuse and speak up

Every child deserves the same knowledge, and we believe healthy relationship education is as crucial as learning to read and write.

That's why we’re calling on the Scottish Government to make this a core entitlement in every school.

📞 Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk
📞 Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: [email protected]

29/05/2026

If you’re worried about the time your child is spending online, you’re not alone. Technology is often intentionally designed with addictive design features that make it hard for us all to stop using our devices, whatever our age. 📱😵‍💫

Search ‘NSPCC Online Safety’ for advice on how to support your child and set healthy boundaries, or get in touch with our Helpline at 0808 800 5000 or [email protected].

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Image description:
An image of a girl at night looking at a phone screen. Overlay text reads:
‘Signs a young person may be struggling with their device use: Frequently arguing with you about device use and screen time, withdrawing from friends or family to spend more time online, difficulties at school – such as grades worsening or missing homework, moods changing often or quickly, where there seems to be a link to device use, using devices at times or in places that you’ve agreed they won’t – such as in their bedroom or late at night, getting symptoms like headaches, eye strain and fatigue, when other causes have been ruled out.’

28/05/2026

🌟 What a brilliant day at our NSPCC Scotland Hub Celebration and Learning Event!

It was fantastic to bring together partners from across Scotland for the first event in our new series which explores the journey of a baby. This session focused on pregnancy and the perinatal period, sharing insights into our work and how we can strengthen support for families and babies right from the start.

We heard powerful contributions from our Baby Steps delivery partners and a thought-provoking presentation from Fathers Network Scotland, alongside discussions on the policy landscape affecting babies and young children.

Most importantly, the event created space to connect - with so many valuable conversations, new relationships built, and shared ambitions for working together in the future.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day such a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation at our next event, focusing on early years and the transition into school.

💚 Together, we’re building stronger support for babies and families across Scotland.

26/05/2026

There's no guidebook to parenting, and we know that. For any worries or concerns the NSPCC Helpine is here to offer support.

Call 0808 800 5000, email [email protected] or search 'NSPCC Helpline'

22/05/2026

📱 Three quarters of children would support age ratings on social media – just like films and games

New NSPCC polling shows 74% of 11–15-year-olds across the UK would support age ratings on social media – with 92% of UK adults agreeing.

Young people deserve safe, age-appropriate experiences online. Yet many are still exposed to risks online such as strangers contacting them, illegal and harmful content and addictive design features.

That’s why we’re calling on the UK Government to act now and make tech companies:
✅ Introduce a risk-based age ratings system
✅ Stop platforms using addictive features that keep young people online for hours
✅ Tackle harmful and illegal content

With the consultation closing soon (26th May) we need urgent action to put children’s safety before profit.

Join us in calling for change by taking part in the UK Government consultation: Growing up in the online world: a national consultation - GOV.UK