A campaign to reduce child abuse, neglect and domestic violence is still being backed by West Dunbartonshire Councillors.
The WAVE Trust 70/30 campaign aims to reduce child maltreatment by 70% by 2030. In 2021, West Dunbartonshire was the first council in Scotland to officially endorse the campaign, with Edinburgh and Fife councils following in its footsteps.
During the most recent council meeting, a question was asked to councillors on behalf of the trust asking council to provide an update on the work it has done to progress this.
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On Wednesday evening councillor Michelle McGinty said: “I can reiterate that commitment.
“The council has a range of actions in place to reduce child abuse and neglect by the year 2030 and is committed to a trauma informed approach, valuing the importance of good universal services with early identification and extra support as required and the prevention of adverse childhood experiences.
“A range of work has been carried out to support that campaign so that care experienced children can grow up loved and respected.”
West Dunbartonshire provides extra support to pregnant women as when required which includes antenatal contact to build trusting relationships within families.
Councillor McGinty added: “A review of the special needs pregnancy service commenced in 2021/22 to ensure that it meets the needs of all its clients.
“West Dunbartonshire has a focus on trauma informed and responsive approach and in March approximately 30 managers and leaders from children’s healthcare attended the NHS NES (Education for Scotland) Scottish trauma informed leadership training.
“There is also an action place to maximise access to the existing suite of NHS NES trauma training.”
Staff who work in “children’s houses” have also been completing additional training on trauma and have access to a four day course in the dyadic developmental psychotherapy approach.
=Councillor McGinty concluded: “This approach encourages young people to work with their families and other people involved in their care. It raises the awareness of trauma and the young people and development and how this might affect their behaviour.
“There have been a number of adverse experiences. I think it is important that we all understand the impact trauma has on children throughout their lives and how we actually deal with it.”
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