Children 1st
Encyclopedia
Children 1st is a Scottish charity which aims to give every child in Scotland
a safe and secure childhood. Also known as the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC), Children 1st supports families under stress, protects children from harm and neglect, promotes children’s rights and helps children recover from abuse.
took a case under animal cruelty legislation against two New Yorkers for abusing an eight year old child, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children sprung up on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 1884 it was beginning to be understood that there was a considerable amount of abuse to children being perpetrated on children in the UK. To counter this the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was established in London. Following on from this creation in England branches began to be set up throughout Scotland
and in 1889, the Glasgow
and Edinburgh
branches joined to form the Scottish National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
In the same year, the first Act of Parliament
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was passed.
The NSPCC
, also began to come into existence around this time and now operates in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland
. Although the two charities are completely separate organisations, they work together to improve the lives of children and families throughout the UK.
In its early incarnation the society was set up to rescue children living rough and begging on the streets, in later years the Society became better known for investigating child abuse and neglect.
In 1968 new legislation gave responsibility for investigating child abuse to local authority social work departments. As a result, the role of RSSPCC changed. However, it was some years before the charity changed its name to reflect this change in role, adopting the campaigning name Children 1st in 1995.
Scotland on behalf of the NSPCC
.
Children 1st has pioneered the use of the Family Group Conference
in Scotland, and also provides a befriending service “Bfriends”, several local family support services, a number of abuse and trauma recovery services across Scotland, and Child Protection in Sport.
on 19 September 2008 with the support of media personality Kaye Adams, and comedians Karen Dunbar
and Sanjeev Singh Kohli. On Kilts for Kids Day, everyone is encouraged to do something that they would not usually do, such as wearing kilt
s or tartan
, or organising a "kiltaoke" – singing Scottish songs in kilts.
calling for the dismissal of Scottish footballer Craig Thomson
, who had been convicted and fined for having a sexual conversation on the internet with a minor. Dismissal as a professional footballer in these circumstances would have been outside usual legal precedence in the UK. This campaign has been contrasted by critics with the relatively little campaigning it had done in response to cuts to services for children as part of nationwide 'austerity measures'. To this extent it has been accused of representing a narrow and authoritarian conservative perspective within the child protection debate in the UK. Children 1st consistently responds by saying that these criticisms are simplistic and that it campaigns in a wide variety of ways on a range of issues.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
a safe and secure childhood. Also known as the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC), Children 1st supports families under stress, protects children from harm and neglect, promotes children’s rights and helps children recover from abuse.
History
The RSSPCC has its origins in the anti cruelty movement that grew up in America in the 19th century. Following a landmark law suit, in which the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty towards animals...
took a case under animal cruelty legislation against two New Yorkers for abusing an eight year old child, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children sprung up on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 1884 it was beginning to be understood that there was a considerable amount of abuse to children being perpetrated on children in the UK. To counter this the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was established in London. Following on from this creation in England branches began to be set up throughout Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and in 1889, the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
branches joined to form the Scottish National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
In the same year, the first Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was passed.
The NSPCC
NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a United Kingdom charity campaigning and working in child protection.-History:...
, also began to come into existence around this time and now operates in England, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Although the two charities are completely separate organisations, they work together to improve the lives of children and families throughout the UK.
Name change
In 1921 the Scottish National Society received Royal Charter and became the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC).In its early incarnation the society was set up to rescue children living rough and begging on the streets, in later years the Society became better known for investigating child abuse and neglect.
In 1968 new legislation gave responsibility for investigating child abuse to local authority social work departments. As a result, the role of RSSPCC changed. However, it was some years before the charity changed its name to reflect this change in role, adopting the campaigning name Children 1st in 1995.
Children and family services
Today, Children 1st provides 41 services in 23 local authority areas as well as six national services including ParentLine Scotland which is the free, national telephone helpline for parents and carers. Since April 2007, Children 1st has operated ChildLineChildLine
ChildLine is a free 24 hour counselling service for children and young people up to 18 in the UK provided by the NSPCC. ChildLine deals with any issue which causes distress or concern, common issues dealt with include child abuse, bullying, parental separation or divorce, pregnancy and substance...
Scotland on behalf of the NSPCC
NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a United Kingdom charity campaigning and working in child protection.-History:...
.
Children 1st has pioneered the use of the Family Group Conference
Family Group Conference
Family Group Conferences originated in New Zealand. They were originally used to allow social work practice to work with and not against Maori values and culture...
in Scotland, and also provides a befriending service “Bfriends”, several local family support services, a number of abuse and trauma recovery services across Scotland, and Child Protection in Sport.
Campaigns
Children 1st also campaigns and lobbies on behalf of children and young people in Scotland. The campaigning priorities of Children 1st build on the work of its services. The organisation is part of campaigning coalitions, including Children Are Unbeatable!, which campaigns for an end to physical punishment, and Justice for Children, which campaigns for better conditions for children giving evidence in court.Kilts for Kids
Kilts for Kids Day is an annual national fundraising event, held on the Friday nearest St Andrew’s Day (30 November), to raise money for Children 1st. The first Kilts for Kids Day took place on Friday 28 November 2008, and the event was launched in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
on 19 September 2008 with the support of media personality Kaye Adams, and comedians Karen Dunbar
Karen Dunbar
Karen Dunbar is a Scottish comedienne and entertainer.-Early life:She first came to the attention of mainstream audiences in the BBC Scotland comedy series Chewin' the Fat and subsequently was given her own show by the channel, The Karen Dunbar Show.Prior to mainstream success, Karen, an out...
and Sanjeev Singh Kohli. On Kilts for Kids Day, everyone is encouraged to do something that they would not usually do, such as wearing kilt
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
s or tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
, or organising a "kiltaoke" – singing Scottish songs in kilts.
Criticisms
Children 1st has been criticized for disproportionately focussing on issues related to child sex crimes, as these gain more media attention, rather than focussing on more mundane issues such as child poverty that effect many more children. It has also been accused of sensationalism and manipulative behaviour in terms of its relationship with the press. As just one example in 2011 it launched a high-profile press campaign, that included a senior policy manager appearing on BBC Radio 5BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
calling for the dismissal of Scottish footballer Craig Thomson
Craig Thomson (footballer)
Craig Thomson is a Scottish footballer who plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League club Hearts. He has also played at left back and on the right wing. Thomson was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas after he was convicted of indecent behaviour...
, who had been convicted and fined for having a sexual conversation on the internet with a minor. Dismissal as a professional footballer in these circumstances would have been outside usual legal precedence in the UK. This campaign has been contrasted by critics with the relatively little campaigning it had done in response to cuts to services for children as part of nationwide 'austerity measures'. To this extent it has been accused of representing a narrow and authoritarian conservative perspective within the child protection debate in the UK. Children 1st consistently responds by saying that these criticisms are simplistic and that it campaigns in a wide variety of ways on a range of issues.