In light of postponing this event from 5th May to 3rd November, we held a free online live forum with Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland; Maureen McAteer, Assistant Director - Attainment, Barnardo's Scotland and Eileen Prior, Executive Director, Connect (formerly Scottish Parent Teacher Council) to ensure the return to school for children (and staff) is as positive, as possible. We received 680 registrations proving the importance of this conversation. The discussion is on our YouTube channel , Red Harbour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_vFGad6RuY

We do still feel this and many other conversations remain a critical issue for Practitioners in our community and particularly given the impact that Covid-19 and the subsequent social distance restrictions will be having on all children but particularly on those who are vulnerable. To assist, we will be creating free online resources and webinars and will keep delegates informed on the development of these. Please keep an eye on our website - www.redharbour.org for updates, or subscribe to be kept informed.

Providing a safe and trusting learning environment for a child can have a significant influence on their growth and development. As Educators, by creating such environments, we can help children learn how to develop and maintain relationships that benefit them throughout their lives.

To create a safe environment, the relationship bonds between teacher and pupil are a fundamental starting point. Every child should have the same opportunities in early life and while this isn’t always possible, the development of positive relationships in the classroom can give them the building blocks to achieve what may not otherwise have been possible. Without investing in those who need those connections the most, children can be at risk of being marginalised, labelled or excluded with significant lasting long-term effects on them as they develop.

At this engaging and thought-provoking event, we will hear from professionals in the fields of educational psychology, human rights and attachment, as well as sharing case studies of best practice in action. This event aims to fundamentally reshape the conversations we are having with children and how we engage with them.

Keynote speakers confirmed to date:

• Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland

• Robin Macpherson, Assistant Rector, Dollar Academy and Content Director, EduMod

• John McDermott, Counselling Psychologist, Studio III

• Pattie Santelices, Health and Wellbeing Team, City of Edinburgh Council

• Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO, Scottish Autism

• Eileen Prior, Executive Director, Connect (formerly SPTC)

• Scottish Attachment in Action

Chair:

• Elly Chapple, Founder of #flipthenarrative and CanDoELLA

Follow this link for Speaker biographies

Discussions:

• What does a safe and nurturing school environment look like and how do we create it?

• How can we develop a truly multi-agency approach to children with complex needs?

• How can we adopt a whole school approach to improving attachment in the classroom?

• What role can positive relationships play in helping to address the attainment gap?

• Why the ACEs conversation needs to include looking at how we support children within settings as well, to have a whole view around their needs and development

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Red Harbour are acutely aware of the concerns surrounding recent developments with confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Scotland and we wanted to reassure our delegates and broader stakeholder community that we are closely monitoring the situation and the official advice from the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland with regards to the spread and containment of infection.

At this time, as the planned events in our schedule have limited maximum audience capacities in the region of 50-60 attendees, there are no current plans to reschedule any of our activities. We will however continue to review the guidance being issued by the relevant authorities and provide updates should that situation change for any reason.

Hand sanitisers and/or antibacterial handwash is available at all venues used by Red Harbour and we will be taking steps to ensure additional hand sanitiser stations are available if/as required.

For more information on the current official guidance, please refer to the Health Protection Scotland website - https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19/#publications