Congress welcomed the recent Scottish
Government’s response to the consultation
on the Children and Young People Bill
and the commitment to enshrine in law
more effective rights for children and
young people in Scotland, based on the
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
However,
it backed a joint call from UNISON and
the EIS to press the Scottish
Government for proper resources to ensure
a successful implementation of the new
law, including measures to support genuine
teamwork around the child in the early
years, from properly qualified and registered
professionals.
UNISON’s Carol Ball
pointed to the crucial importance of
making sure
that children have the best possible
start in life.
“The professionals who deliver
these services recognise that for children
in their
earliest years, you can’t separate
learning and care,” said Carol.
She told delegates of the range of professional
qualifications now required by professionals
working in the early years service which
have not only raised the professional
status of all who deliver early learning
and childcare, but have also improved
the outcomes for the children who access
the services, highlighted by inspection
reports.
“Our members who deliver early learning
and childcare respect the equal contribution
that those holding a teaching qualification
make both at manager and practitioner
level, but it is only right that the
equal contribution of those who hold
the range of qualifications recognised
by the SSSC to practice is also recognised.”
18 April 2013
