[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1lzr37gyhbt2g":17},{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"content":10,"content_overview":11,"published_at":12,"seo_title":8,"seo_description":13,"image":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16},"01m5fanaffkxrzkrpj1x4keag4","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","01j303dmcc6n6900v73fs88bc7",false,"Right to Food Commission supports Aberlour's Call to End School Meal Debt","right-to-food-commission-supports-aberlours-call","\u003Cp>School meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three words that should never be uttered in the same sentence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children bearing the burden and stigma of debt should shame any society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, here in Scotland that is what we saw happening for thousands of children and their families around the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many high school children having a negative balance on their parent pay account would mean being unable to access a meal at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt and hidden school hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sides of the same coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what side that coin lands on it would still show how badly we have failed many of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is why at Aberlour we were compelled to do something about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make sure we stood beside those children and their families and to call for something to change – urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We wanted to make sure we saw an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fabout-us\u002Fpolicy-and-influencing\u002Fpublic-debt\u002Fschool-meal-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end to school meal debt and hidden school hunger for good\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2023 we urged the then First Minister, Humza Yusaf, to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bring an end to the shameful practice of children and their families being chased by debt collectors for school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt is a symptom of families not having enough money to provide the very basics for their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fundamentally, it is about a lack of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We welcomed the introduction of a one-off School Meal Debt Fund to write off outstanding debt for one year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we were clear that was not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our evidence shows that the majority of children with school meal debt are from low-income working families who do not qualify for free school meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, along with writing off the debt for struggling families, we called for the expansion of Free School Meals to all low-income families across Scotland to help prevent school meal debt in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, we welcomed John Swinney’s subsequent commitment to continuing the School Meal Debt Fund for a further year to write off nearly £3 million of school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures show that this benefitted 70,000 children and their families across Scotland over the last two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A welcome relief for many, but still a limited intervention without a long-term solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our campaign to end school meal debt has continued up to and during the recent Scottish Parliament elections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year we also published evidence that pointed to the extent of school meal debt for children and their families in England.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What our research suggested was that around 1 in 4 children not eligible for free school meals in England had regular or persistent school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so we called on the UK Government to act and follow Scotland’s lead by taking action to end school meal debt for children across the rest of the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This week saw the launch of the independent UK Right to Food Commission report and findings following their work to evidence the scale of food insecurity across the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commission’s report provides a roadmap and clear actions all governments across the UK must take to end food insecurity for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This includes ending school meal debt for good for all children the length of the country, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Scotland, the SNP made a commitment during the Scottish Parliamentary election campaign to end school meal debt once and for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That manifesto pledge was then followed by the First Minister announcing that families struggling with school meal debt would continue to be helped by committing the same level of investment again this year to write that debt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time this will happen alongside the further expansion of Free School Meals in primary schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urgent measure and a preventative solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is much more the First Minister must do to make real progress on his ambition to “eradicate child poverty”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is one example that the rest of the UK can follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making sure no child ever again is burdened with debt or goes hungry at school would be a quick win for Andy Burnham, to show his commitment to tackling food insecurity by ending school meal debt in every postcode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Martin Canavan\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Head of Policy & Influencing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"2026-10-21T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity's Head of Policy & Influencing, Martin Canavan, shares what must be done to end school meal debt and hidden hunger in schools for good. He shares what has been done in Scotland and what must be done in England.","media\u002Fshared image.jpg","2026-10-21T13:33:25.000000Z","2026-10-22T08:11:54.000000Z",{"id":18,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":20,"slug":21,"content":22,"content_overview":11,"published_at":23,"seo_title":20,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27,"next":28,"prev":36},"01k0vx1rpfswdngexhktd9j5xt","1","Changing tomorrow's lives today","changing-tomorrows-lives-today","\u003Cp>The services delivering life-changing love, care and support to children, young people and their families across Scotland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mission is simple but helping disadvantaged children and families towards a brighter future is complex, challenging, and potentially life-changing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not all children are born with an equal opportunity and every Aberlour Children’s Charity service is driven by the ambition to improve the lives and life chances of children and young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The diverse work ranges from delivering residential and fostering care to supporting the recovery of families affected by alcohol and substance use; from easing pressure on families at risk in the early years to ensuring children with disabilities get the best, most engaging support; from rushing financial assistance to families on the brink of crisis to supporting interventions when the challenges cannot be overcome and children can no longer safely stay at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Service teams tailor their work to each child and family, working towards shared goals, building strong, caring relationships, and helping ensure the United Nations Convention for The Rights of The Child is a reality for every child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynne O’Brien, Chief Officer of Children and Families, said a thread of care and compassion runs through all of Aberlour’s work with every service underpinning Scotland’s commitment to The Promise to transform the lives of children and to keep them safe, respected, loved and with their families whenever possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Our teams across Scotland deliver a huge range of services but all of them are working to ensure every child has an equal chance of happiness today and tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every day, in many different ways, our skilled teams help and support children, young people and their families to live their best lives and enjoy their best futures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>FAMILY SUPPORT\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It does exactly what it says on the tin but, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fget-help\u002Four-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in services across Scotland\u003C\u002Fa>, Aberlour ensures families get the right support, at the right time, for as long as it is needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teams are flexible, the help bespoke. From service to service and family to family, support is delivered how and when it is needed most, from early morning to late at night and weekends too. No two families are the same, each has different needs, and Aberlour tailors its work to meet them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trauma-informed, seven-days a week support can be one-to-one or include the whole family, and takes place everywhere from home, school, cafes, or community centres.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The support might be needed for all sorts of reasons, from poor emotional health to domestic abuse, from sudden financial difficulties to looming homelessness, but, with sympathy and without judgement, workers spend the time to understand what children and their families need to thrive.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priority is to build close, trusting relationships over time but, when crises strike, the family support teams are ready to respond with urgency and practical, impactful help.\u003Cbr> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>DISABILITY SERVICES\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charity’s range of bespoke services for young Scots with learning disabilities, autism, or more complex physical and health needs, includes staffed accommodation and wide-ranging support packages to short breaks for young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the charity’s spaces are safe and accessible, where children feel emotionally and physically secure while being encouraged to take part in activities. At home, school or in their communities, children are encouraged to explore interests, develop skills, build relationships and, most of all, have fun.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The residential services provide safe but relaxed environments for a child to come and stay for a short break that can offer their families a rest from their caring role. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might only be a few hours, or a few nights, but for those caring for children and young people with disabilities, the chance to pause and take a breath can be life-changing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>FOSTERING\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For 20 years, Aberlour has recruited, trained and supported foster parents allowing them to provide safe and loving homes for children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charity’s team helps the young people and their carers build strong relationships that often last a lifetime. Everything is shaped by the children and their families but fostering, sometimes challenging, always rewarding, has allowed countless young Scots to flourish. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natasha Wallace, now 35, was the first girl to be \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fhelp-us\u002Ffostering\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fostered\u003C\u002Fa> in the Aberlour service 20 years ago and says it changed her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I used to wonder what might have happened?  Where I might have ended up?  Would I be in a good situation? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think about that now. I know who I am, know who my family are, and know they have my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I would encourage any potential foster carer to give a child the same opportunity. If successful, that child has a family for life and knows someone loves them. That is such a huge thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>RESIDENTIAL CARE\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are currently \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fsycamore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">seven houses in the service\u003C\u002Fa> and each provides a safe and loving home to children unable to live with their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five houses across Fife and two in the Highlands are at the heart of their communities, close to schools and parks, and provide secure spaces where children can heal and grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong relationships and trust between adult carers and young people are the foundation of the service while the charity takes care to “hold the hands of those who hold the hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Shona Quin, a clinical psychologist and independent consultant to Aberlour, said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp> My role is around supporting the adults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When they feel fully supported and nurtured, they are then much more able to support and nurture the young people. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be surrounded by adults that are well and enjoy their work is massively significant in terms of the experiences young people have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When one in five women suffer mental health problems during pregnancy or after having their baby, the need for perinatal befriending is compelling and time-critical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour has pioneered services offering emotional and practical support to new mothers, often vulnerable, disadvantaged and at risk of being overwhelmed by the challenges of parenthood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Volunteer befrienders in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fperinatalbefriending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forth Valley\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fbumps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lothian\u003C\u002Fa> are trained to listen not judge, to empathise not impose, and, building relationships over time, ease mother’s feelings of isolation, improve their mental health, help them strengthen bonds with their babies, build connections in their communities, and empowers them to raise their family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Liz Nolan, Director of Children and Families, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Around one in five new and expectant mums will experience perinatal mental illness and services like ours are vital for families across Scotland to support the health of women, partners and their babies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our dedicated support services support new mums struggling with anxiety, depression and isolation during pregnancy and after their baby is born. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Women tell us the combination of emotional and practical support for them and their families at home and in the community has changed their lives and, sometimes, saved their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>MOTHER AND CHILD RECOVERY HOUSES\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rehabilitation and community services helping women recover from addiction and trauma while keeping their families together has been hailed by experts and, more importantly, the mothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The residential support allows mothers to stay with their young children while receiving life-changing help to tackle issues with alcohol and substance use while strengthening their parenting skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far there are two Mother and Child Recovery Houses, in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fmother-and-child-recovery-houses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dundee\u003C\u002Fa> and, more recently, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fmother-and-child-recovery-house-falkirk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Falkirk\u003C\u002Fa>, providing nurturing and loving spaces for women and their babies during their recovery journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both are supported by the Scottish Government and, opening the charity’s second house in Falkirk in September, \u003Cstrong>Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>This house will allow women to access residential rehabilitation services and keep their family together. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We know there is a strong link between women having children removed from their care and risk of drug-related death. Treatment is more effective when families are kept together and it also reduces the harmful impact on children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>GUARDIANSHIP SCOTLAND\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A century and a half after Canon Charles Jupp set up a home for “mitherless bairns” in Aberlour, the charity he inspired offers a haven for lone, sometimes orphaned children fleeing terror, famine and war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statutory service provides Guardians to all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, victims of trafficking or at risk of trafficking after their arrival in Scotland. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supported by the Scottish Government and delivered alongside the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fscottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottish Refugee Council\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fget-help\u002Fguardianship-scotland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guardianship Scotland \u003C\u002Fa>helps raise the voices of children with no one to speak for them, to protect their best interests, ensure their rights are upheld, and help them build secure new lives in Scotland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Catriona MacSween, Service Manager, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>It is hard to imagine what it must be like to arrive alone, in a strange country, with no one to turn to and no one to care for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These young people are so far from their own, with none of the support and help from family and friends that we take for granted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This article was written as part of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fassets\u002Fpdf\u002Fwe-are-family-150th-celebration.pdf\">'We are family' special edition supplement with the Sunday Post\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","2025-05-18T00:00:00.000000Z","Discover how the services delivered by Aberlour Children's Charity are providing life-changing love, care and support to children, young people and their families across Scotland.","media\u002FiStock-638677204.jpg","2025-07-23T15:04:53.000000Z","2025-07-23T15:05:44.000000Z",{"id":29,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":30,"slug":31,"content":32,"content_overview":11,"published_at":23,"seo_title":30,"seo_description":33,"image":34,"created_at":35,"updated_at":35},"01k0y62e39dhn70513tdeb50e9","Blog: ‘Children share the same money worries as their parents’","blog-children-share-the-same-money-worries-as-their-parents","\u003Cp>The pressure on many of the children is constant and relentless. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m right there, based in their primary school, and there to help any pupils and their families who might need some extra support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their homes may be overcrowded and they will often have far more knowledge about their households’ finances than other children and carry that awareness around day after day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a constant strain and they don’t have anything to look forward to or things to enjoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their families cannot afford the same days out and treats that other children can expect and the pressure just builds and builds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poverty takes a toll on the physical and mental health of children and their parents and then there are the other social issues, linked to poverty, like domestic abuse and issues with drink or drugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pupils will arrive at school cold, wet, tired and hungry. Their clothes and shoes might be inadequate for the weather. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have a rail of clothes in my office to offer children if they need a jumper or a winter jacket or whatever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their home lives may be cramped or more chaotic and are often sharing the same anxieties caused by a lack of money affecting the mental health and wellbeing of parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priority is to offer them any practical help available but also to relieve the pressure a little, to give them the space to talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might want to chat about what is going on with them but often simply enjoy the chance to talk and think about something else, about the everyday stuff other children can take for granted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just that simple opportunity to talk about themselves and the things they enjoy doing, or are good at, can help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School is often a safe space, away from what can be difficulties at home, and that is why it can be so important for children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact of lockdown, for example, when schools were closed was particularly felt by pupils who rely on the routine, safety and support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Louise*\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour pupil support worker\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Name changed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This article was written as part of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fassets\u002Fpdf\u002Fwe-are-family-150th-celebration.pdf\">'We are family' special edition supplement with the Sunday Post\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","In Aberlour Children's Charity's latest blog, our pupil support worker Louise explains the constant pressure children are under due to poverty.","media\u002FiStock-541117484.jpg","2025-07-24T12:21:01.000000Z",{"id":37,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":38,"slug":39,"content":40,"content_overview":11,"published_at":41,"seo_title":38,"seo_description":42,"image":43,"created_at":44,"updated_at":45},"01jv7kr4s5e7vy6y2fnqyr5sjn","Public bodies 'perpetuate harm' on families left in debts to abusive partners","public-bodies-perpetuate-harm-on-families-left-in-debts-to-abusive-partners","\u003Cp>Aberlour Children's Charity will give parliamentary evidence on the urgent need for compassionate reforms and protections against \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Faberlours-joint-briefing-to-msps-on-coerced-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">‘coerced debt’\u003C\u002Fa> owed to public bodies, preventing further harm to domestic abuse survivors and their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour, one of Scotland’s leading children’s charities, will today [Thursday 15 May 2025] outline how survivors of domestic abuse and their families are being further harmed by inflexible debt-recovery practices, particularly council tax and rent arrears, imposed by public bodies, at an evidence session of the Social Justice & Social Security Committee of the Scottish Parliament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Key points that Aberlour’s Chief Officer of Children & Families, Lynne O’Brien, will raise include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Systems are failing vulnerable families:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Public bodies’ rigid approaches to debt collection fail to consider the coercive or fraudulent nature of debts accrued under domestic abuse, forcing survivors into destitution in order to leave abusive relationships.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Urgent, compassionate reform needed:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Just as FCA standards bind private creditors to treat vulnerable customers fairly, Aberlour calls on Scottish Government and public bodies to adopt trauma-informed, flexible debt management policies that recognise coerced debt as a distinct category.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Children’s rights at risk:\u003C\u002Fstrong> The current approach breaches UNCRC duties by perpetuating child poverty and homelessness when families leave abusive relationships, deepening existing inequalities.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Speaking ahead of the evidence session, Aberlour’s Chief Officer of Children & Families, Lynne O’Brien said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse and financial abuse are currently being failed. The inflexibility of the systems and processes they have to navigate too often entrench existing inequalities, perpetuating harm on our most vulnerable families. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many are forced to make difficult decisions in order to leave abusive relationships resulting in financial hardship and destitution and burdened with debts built up by perpetrators of the abuse they have suffered. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgent and compassionate reforms to public debt management and recovery are vital not only to tackle child poverty, but specifically to support women with experience of domestic abuse who face barriers to moving on from homeless accommodation into settled housing due to debt and rent arrears owed to public bodies. Right now, Scotland is failing to uphold the rights of children in families affected by domestic abuse forced into homelessness and destitution, and pushed into poverty due to financial abuse, coerced debt and aggressive public debt recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2025-05-15T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity will give parliamentary evidence on the urgent need for compassionate reforms and protections against ‘coerced debt’ owed to public bodies, preventing retraumatisation of domestic abuse survivors and their children.","media\u002Flynne obrien web.jpg","2025-05-14T14:39:02.000000Z","2025-05-14T16:16:04.000000Z"]