This public health emergency brings great challenges for everyone, especially children in need of care and protection, their families and carers, and those supporting them.
While the impact of this will be felt by all, we know that it will further exacerbate the challenging circumstances of children, young people, parents, and carers who were already dealing with existing stresses and strains in their lives.
There is emergency legislation, with new guidance in development that will also have an impact on the delivery of support services, the duties of public authorities and lives of children, young people and their families. We will be adding this information to this page too.
We have gathered together important guidance, information and resources to help many of the people we work with. Click on any of the links in the boxes below to find out more.
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for managers, social workers and social care providers arranging contact between looked after and accommodated children and young people and their families (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on testing for Covid-19, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on what you can and can't do in Scotland under new COVID-19 restrictions (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on staffing, social distancing and self-isolation in residential children's houses, residential schools and secure care facilities (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government on social distancing in education and childcare settings (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for students living away from home explaining how restrictions on social gatherings apply, as well as plans for the end of term (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government to private and third sector childcare providers and childminders on daycare services for children (Dec 2020)
Information and guidance from Health Protection Scotland for social or community care and residential settings
Information from Social Work Scotland offering a framework for decision-makers to ensure children in public care maintain strong connections with family during Covid-19
Advice and help from the NSPCC if you are worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety
Guidance from the UK Government on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing
Guidance from the British Psychological Society on supporting care experienced children and young people
Guidance and signposting from YouthLink Scotland for youth workers
Information from the Scottish Government on protection and vital equipment for health and social care staff
Information from the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration on additional operating procedures for Children's Hearings (Jan 2021)
Information from Scottish Social Services Council for social services workers and employers
Information from the Children's Hearings Improvement Partnership explaining the use of emergency legislation for Children's Hearings
Information from the Scottish Social Services Council on changes to the law to support social services
Information from Social Work Scotland on legislation, regulations, and guidance
Advice and updates from the Scottish and British Association of Social Workers
Guidance from the Scottish Government on what you can and can't do in Scotland under new COVID-19 restrictions (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school safety, updated to take account of Scotland’s new approach to suppressing COVID-19 (Oct 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on the safe implementation of practical activities in schools as young people return following the COVID-19 pandemic (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on testing for Covid-19, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government for the public on staying safe and protecting others to help suppress COVID-19 (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for students living away from home explaining how restrictions on social gatherings apply, as well as plans for the end of term (Dec 2020)
Advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for parents and carers of babies less than three months old during COVID-19
Information from Adoption UK Scotland on help and support available
Guidance from CoramBAAF on adoption, fostering, family placement, health and legal issues
Information from Parent Club on the easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland
Information resources and links from the National Parent Forum Scotland for parents and carers
Information from the Scottish Government about COVID-19 testing for under-fives (July 2020)
Advice from Adoption and Fostering Alliance on virtual meetings of Adoption and Fostering Panels
Information from the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration on additional operating procedures for Children's Hearings from (Dec 2020)
Information from the Children's Hearings Improvement Partnership on current arrangements for Children's Hearings
Guidance from the Scottish Government on looked-after children and the children’s hearings provisions of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Guidance from Children's Hearings Scotland for panel members that sets out how to ensure the continuing operation of effective children’s hearings
Advice and help from the NSPCC if you are worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety
Advice and help from the NSPCC about keeping children safe online
Guidance from the UK Government on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing
Information from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families on supporting young people's mental health
Guidance from the British Psychological Society on supporting care experienced children and young people
Information from Enquire on how the new coronavirus laws affect the education of children with additional support needs in Scotland
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for managers, social workers and social care providers arranging contact between looked after and accommodated children and young people and their families (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on how to approach the festive period celebrations including guidance on forming 'bubbles' over Christmas (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government for the public on staying safe and protecting others to help suppress COVID-19 (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on testing for Covid-19, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for students living away from home explaining how restrictions on social gatherings apply, as well as plans for the end of term (Dec 2020)
Information from the Scottish Government on seeing friends and family and travel (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Dec 2020)
Information from Social Work Scotland on legislation, regulations, and guidance
Guidance from the Scottish Social Services Council to help social workers respond to COVID-19
Advice and updates from the Scottish and British Association of Social Workers
Information and guidance by Health Protection Scotland for social or community care and residential settings
Guidance from the Scottish Government for chief officers and child protection committees on the continuity of services
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government on childcare closures and emergency provision (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on childcare and learning provision made available to key workers during closures
Guidance from the Scottish Government for local authorities on changes to social care assessments
Guidance from the Scottish Government Guidance on home visits and direct contact interviews
Guidance from Social Work Scotland on a framework for decision-makers to ensure children in public care maintain strong connections with family
Guidance from the Scottish Government for central and local government and public bodies in Scotland with an overview of the key measures contained within Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Guidance from the Scottish Government on Coronavirus testing for key workers who are showing symptoms (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on domestic abuse during the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020
Guidance from the Scottish Government on tackling violence against women and girls
Information from national, local and professional bodies in Scotland through a national wellbeing hub to support health and social care staff in Scotland
Information from the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration on additional operating procedures for Children's Hearings (Jan 2021)
Information from the Children's Hearings Improvement Partnership explaining the use of emergency legislation for Children's Hearings
Guidance from the Scottish Government on looked-after children and the children’s hearings provisions of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Guidance from Children's Hearings Scotland for panel members that sets out how to ensure the continuing operation of effective children’s hearings
Advice from the Adoption and Fostering Alliance on virtual meetings of Adoption and Fostering Panels
Advice from The Fostering Network for social workers arranging child contact with birth parents
Advice and guidance from Scottish Social Services Council to help you look after your own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others
Information from Social Work Scotland offering a framework for decision-makers to ensure children in public care maintain strong connections with family during Covid-19
Advice and help from the NSPCC if you are worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety
Guidance from the UK Government on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing
Information from Enquire on how the new coronavirus laws affect the education of children with additional support needs in Scotland
Information from the European Social Network on social services responses to COVID-19 across Europe
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for managers, social workers and social care providers arranging contact between looked after and accommodated children and young people and their families (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on testing for Covid-19, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school safety, updated to take account of Scotland’s new approach to suppressing COVID-19 (Oct 2020)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on the safe implementation of practical activities in schools as young people return following the COVID-19 pandemic (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government for the public on staying safe and protecting others to help suppress COVID-19 (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for students living away from home explaining how restrictions on social gatherings apply, as well as plans for the end of term (Dec 2020)
Advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for parents and carers of babies less than three months old during COVID-19
Information from Parent Club on the easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland
Information from the National Parent Forum Scotland for parents and carers
Information from the Scottish Government about COVID-19 testing for under-fives. July 2020
Advice and help from the NSPCC if you are worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety
Advice and help from the NSPCC about keeping children safe online
Guidance from the UK Government on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing
Guidance from the British Psychological Society on supporting care experienced children and young people
Information from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families on supporting young people's mental health
Information from Social Work Scotland offering a framework for decision-makers to ensure children in public care maintain strong connections with family during Covid-19
Information from the Children's Hearings Improvement Partnership explaining the use of emergency legislation for Children's Hearings
Advice from the Scottish Government for those who do not have family or community support
Advice from the Scottish Government regarding shielding support for people arranging food, medical deliveries, and other support services (Dec 2020)
Information from the UK Government on claiming benefits from Universal Credit
Information from Social Security Scotland on Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods
Information from the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration on additional operating procedures for Children's Hearings (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on the personal use of face coverings (Jan 2021)
Guidance from Children's Hearings Scotland for panel members that sets out how to ensure the continuing operation of effective children’s hearings
Information from Enquire on how the new coronavirus laws affect the education of children with additional support needs in Scotland
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for managers, social workers and social care providers arranging contact between looked after and accommodated children and young people and their families (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on what you can and can't do in Scotland under new COVID-19 restrictions (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school safety, updated to take account of Scotland’s new approach to suppressing COVID-19 (Oct 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on the safe implementation of practical activities in schools as young people return following the COVID-19 pandemic (Dec 2020)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on testing for Covid-19, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government for the public on staying safe and protecting others to help suppress COVID-19 (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for students living away from home explaining how restrictions on social gatherings apply, as well as plans for the end of term (Dec 2020)
Advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for parents and carers of babies less than three months old during COVID-19
Advice and support from The Fostering Network
Advice from The Fostering Network for foster carers arranging child contact with birth parents
Information from the Adoption and Fostering Alliance on virtual meetings of adoption and fostering panels
Information from the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration on additional operating procedures for Children's Hearings (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on looked-after children and the children’s hearings provisions of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Information from Parent Club on the easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland
Information from the Scottish Government about COVID-19 testing for under-fives (July 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on the personal use of face coverings
Guidance from Children's Hearings Scotland for panel members that sets out how to ensure the continuing operation of effective children’s hearings
Guidance from CoramBAAF on adoption, fostering, family placement, health and legal issues
Information resources and links from the National Parent Forum Scotland for parents and carers
Advice and help from the NSPCC if you are worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety
Advice and help from the NSPCC about keeping children safe online
Guidance from the UK Government on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing
Guidance from the British Psychological Society on supporting care experienced children and young people
Information from Social Work Scotland offering a framework for decision-makers to ensure children in public care maintain strong connections with family during Covid-19
Information from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families on supporting young people's mental health
Advice from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families reflecting on the child in care
Information from Enquire on how the new coronavirus laws affect the education of children with additional support needs in Scotland
Guidance from the Scottish Government for the public on staying safe and protecting others to help suppress COVID-19 (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on testing for Covid-19, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on the safe implementation of practical activities in schools as young people return following the COVID-19 pandemic (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school safety, updated to take account of Scotland’s new approach to suppressing COVID-19 (Oct 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Information from the Scottish Government on seeing friends and family and travel (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on reopening early learning and childcare services in Scotland (Dec 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on re-opening school age childcare services in Scotland (Dec 2020)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government on social distancing in education and childcare settings (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government on childcare closures and emergency provision (Jan 2021)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Jan 2021)
Information from Education Scotland on supporting online learning
Advice and resources from the Children's Parliament for school staff to prepare for the return to school, (Aug 2020)
Advice and help from the NSPCC if you are worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety
Advice and help from the NSPCC about keeping children safe online
Guidance from the UK Government on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing
Guidance from the British Psychological Society on supporting care experienced children and young people
Information from Enquire on how the new coronavirus laws affect the education of children with additional support needs in Scotland
Advice from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families on supporting vulnerable pupils and students during periods of disruption
Advice, guidance and information for the child protection workforce is available here
Guidance from the Scottish Government on what you can and can't do in Scotland under new COVID-19 restrictions (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school safety, updated to take account of Scotland’s new approach to suppressing COVID-19 (Oct 2020)
Guidance from the Scottish Government on school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (Jan 2021)
Information from the Scottish Government regarding the return dates to colleges and universities in Scotland (Jan 2021)
Guidance from the Scottish Government for the public on staying safe and protecting others to help suppress COVID-19 (Dec 2020)
Advice and guidance from the Scottish Government for anyone dealing with awkward social situations (Dec 2020)
Advice helpline from Who Cares? Scotland open to Care Experienced people of any age across Scotland
Advice from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland on your human rights
Information from the Children's Commissioner for England with a children's guide to coronavirus
Advice from NSPCC to organisations about using social media safely with children and young people
Information from Clan Childlaw on your rights and how the law affects them
Advice from the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum on benefits for young people