NSPCC Scotland

09/10/2026

World Mental Health Day is tomorrow, and we're reminding children and young people that they don't have to face difficult emotions alone. 💚

The biggest reason young people contact Childline now, including through our online chat service, is mental and emotional health, accounting for 33% of counselling sessions in 2025/26.

If you know a young person who is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, stressed, or they simply need someone to listen to them without judgement, Childline is there for them. Our trained counsellors provide free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

📞 Call 0800 1111
💻 Chat online at childline.org.uk

No problem is too big or too small. 💚

Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

05/10/2026

💛 Let’s spread a little kindness this October! 💛

The Kindness Challenge is back, encouraging children to make a big difference through small acts of kindness while raising money for Childline.

From writing a thank you note to school staff or inviting someone new to join in at playtime, every act of kindness can help create a happier, more supportive environment for everyone.

Schools and nurseries that sign up will receive a range of free resources, including activity sheets, assembly plans and posters, making it easy to take part. Children can also download a Kindness Superhero Headband to wear for the challenge.

Research shows that kindness can help children feel happier, reduce stress and improve self-esteem and wellbeing, making this a great opportunity for pupils to support each other while helping Childline continue to be there for children who need us.

📅 The official challenge takes place this week but schools can take part at a time that suits them so it's not too late to sign up!

📣 Please help us spread the word by asking your child's school, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friends' children to get involved.

Find out more and sign up today: www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/charity-fundraising/schools-fundraising-ideas/kindness-challenge/

💛

30/09/2026

30/09/2026

We welcome today’s announcement from the First Minister that every school in Scotland will teach about misogyny.

Children and young people need support to build safe, healthy and respectful relationships, and to recognise and challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours that can lead to violence against women and girls.

Our Read, Write, Relationships campaign calls on the Scottish Government to go further. We want every child, in every school, to have access to consistent, high-quality education about all aspects of healthy relationships, backed by the training, resources and support that schools need to deliver it effectively.

High-quality, age-appropriate relationships education helps children understand respect, consent and boundaries, know where to turn for support, and can play a vital role in preventing abuse before it happens.

The first minister says he wants to challenge misogynistic behaviour in young boys and strengthen and support young girls.

10/09/2026

Sometimes, the smallest reminders can make a big difference 💚

Save and share this post with people you care about, you never know what they might be going through.

However you're feeling, you don't have to cope alone. From small worries to the bigger concerns, the NSPCC Adult Helpline is here to support you.

You can call 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]

Children and young people can call Childline on 0800 1111 or: www.childline.org.uk

04/09/2026

💚 A big thank you to everyone who took the time to chat with us about our Read, Write, Relationships campaign yesterday at the Scottish Parliament.

The campaign is calling on the Scottish Government to guarantee that every child in Scotland has access to high-quality healthy relationships education.

Children and young people have told us that the education they currently receive is often inconsistent, outdated and doesn't reflect the challenges they face today. But we know it is crucial in helping young people to know what healthy relationships look like, to spot harmful behaviour and help them stay safe both online and offline.

It was incredibly encouraging that so many MSPs wanted to learn more about the campaign and pledge their support. The positive conversations showed a strong shared commitment to helping keep children safe and ensuring no young person misses out on this vital education.



LGBT Youth Scotland NASUWT Parenting across Scotland Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland Laura Moodie MSP - Scottish Greens Katie Hagmann MSP

01/09/2026

Responding to the First minister's pledge to tackle violence against women and girls set out by John Swinney in the The Scottish Government's Programme for Government earlier today, Joanna Barrett, acting head of policy (devolved nations), said: "We are heartened by the First Minister's commitment to tackling misogyny and violence against women and girls in his Programme for Government speech.

"A crucial part of addressing these attitudes and behaviours, and protecting women and girls, is delivering relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education. Yet Scotland is the only part of the UK where relationships education has no statutory underpinning.

"Young women have told us that the education they receive is too often inconsistent and out of date with their realities. The NSPCC is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure all children and young people across Scotland have guaranteed access to high-quality healthy relationships education."

If you would like to support this campaign, please visit:

Healthy relationships education plays a key role in keeping children and young people safe and supporting them to have healthy relationships. But, too many young people in Scotland are missing out on the vital education they deserve due to the patchy delivery of Relationship, Sexual Health and Paren...

01/09/2026

💙 For many children and young people, going back to school is exciting. But for some, it can bring feelings of anxiety, stress and worry.

Between April 2025 and March 2026, Childline delivered 1,531 counselling sessions to children across the UK where concerns about going back to school or college were mentioned. The most common concern was mental and emotional health, with many young people also sharing worries about friendships, bullying, loneliness, academic pressure and starting a new school year.

One young person told Childline:

"I am feeling really anxious about going back to school... I am scared as I will have no-one to talk to. I feel so lonely."

If your child is feeling nervous about school, taking time to listen, talk openly about their worries and helping them feel prepared can make a real difference.

And if you're a young person feeling worried, remember you're not alone. Talking to someone you trust can help, and Childline is always here to listen.

📞 Childline: 0800 1111
💻 www.childline.org.uk

If you're concerned about a child, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

💙

30/08/2026

Referrals by the NSPCC Helpline to agencies in Scotland about children experiencing domestic abuse have risen by 27% in the last year.

During 2025 to 2026, the NSPCC Helpline made 276 referrals to local agencies, including the police and children’s social work, where domestic abuse was the main concern.

Domestic abuse isn't always physical. It can also include coercive control, emotional, verbal and financial abuse and it can cause long-lasting harm to a child's wellbeing.

Children affected may show signs such as withdrawal, aggression, anxiety, difficulties at school or changes in behaviour such as bed wetting.

If you're worried about a child, trust your instincts and seek support. Speaking up could be the first step towards helping a child and family get the support they need.

📞 NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
📧 [email protected]

14/08/2026

📚🎒 Back-to-school butterflies? You're not alone.

As children across Scotland get ready to head back to the classroom, many are feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. New Childline data reveals that more than 1,500 counselling sessions across the UK last year mentioned returning to school or college, with emotional wellbeing being the most common concern.

To help children feel confident and prepared for the new school year, we've teamed up with to share five simple tips for parents and carers:

✅ Encourage children to write down their worries and what they are excited about
✅ Start getting back into routines before term begins
✅ Talk through what the school day will look like
✅ Make time for activities they enjoy when they are back at school
✅ Look out for changes in behaviour and seek support if you are worried

Every child experiences change differently, but open conversations, reassurance and a little preparation can help make the transition easier. ❤️

If you're worried about a child, our Helpline is here to help on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]. Young people can contact Childline free and confidentially on 0800 1111 or online www.childline.org.uk.