Scottish Government

Listen

Early years investment

22/09/2011

Over 20 charities are set to receive a share of a £6.8 million funding boost for vulnerable young children and families.

The Early Years Action Fund delivered by Inspiring Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government will invest in a total of 28 projects delivered by 24 charities across Scotland.

The funding, launched earlier this year, will support vulnerable children and their families to prevent any problems they face escalating into costly and difficult crisis situations.

The areas the fund aims to support include: parenting, play, childcare, child and maternal health and family support with the clear aim of helping parents and communities build better lives for themselves and their children.

Minister for Children and Young People, Angela Constance today met representatives of three of the charities.

During a visit to the Scottish Learning Festival in Glasgow, Ms Constance met Barnardo's Scotland; Stepping Stones for Families and Circle.

Ms Constance said:

"This investment of £6.8 million in early years and earlier intervention is very good news with hundreds of children and families set to benefit. I've enjoyed meeting some of the recipients of the awards today and look forward to seeing others in due course to find out how the investment is changing children's lives.

"Early support and preventative spending for vulnerable children and families in Scotland helps us tackle problems before they turn into crisis situations, all which is hugely beneficial for children and young people, as well as society as a whole. For every £1 spent in early intervention in the early years, taxpayer saves £9 in future. This investment is across almost the whole of Scotland supporting parents, children and local communities and I'd like to thank Inspiring Scotland for the key role it has played in helping deliver this hugely important initiative.''

Barnardo's will use its award to expand its You First programme for new parents under 21 across Inverclyde & Renfrewshire; Lanarkshire; Forth Valley; Ayrshire & Arran; Tayside; Grampian and Highland, while Stepping Stones For Families will expand its family support projects in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Girvan. Circle's funding meanwhile will be used to expand its existing model of tailored interventions for children affected by parental substance misuse.

Andrew Muirhead, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland said:

"It is abundantly clear the support a child receives in their earliest years becomes a huge factor in their later life. This fund presents us with an opportunity to give a child the best start in life enabling them to fulfil their full potential.

"We know that the voluntary sector in Scotland is extremely well placed to support vulnerable children and families, and there is so much great work taking place across the country.

"We are confident that the charities we have selected to initially invest in through the Early Years Early Action Fund will benefit greatly from our unique model. By providing substantial development support from the private sector in addition to financial investment we will reach even more children and families in most need. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government on this vital area."

As part of the Early Years Action Fund selected charities will receive significant development support from Inspiring Scotland to strengthen their capacity to reach even more vulnerable young children and families. This development support is provided by Inspiring Scotland directly and over 120 individuals and businesses who provide free or reduced fee services and expertise to the charities involved.

The Portfolio of 24 charities

Areas of Operation