Keeping children safe and well this summer

The school holidays are here and while lots of parents are enjoying the break with their children, for many people, keeping their young people occupied, healthy and happy over the holidays can be a worry.

The cost of living crisis has put pressure on a lot of household incomes, making it impossible to provide any “extras” for the family this summer…….. but help is at hand in a number of ways.

Fife Council’s popular Café Inc lunch clubs are operating during the school break, providing free, nutritional meals for all the family at venues across Fife. There’s no need to book and it’s open to everyone. You can find your nearest Café Inc venue, along with opening times,  by using our interactive map.

Physical activity is important for children and young people's physical and mental health, but finding free or low cost activities to keep them occupied can be hard. That's where the Go Fife website comes in. Working with our partners at Fife Sport and Leisure Trust, On Fife, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and Fife Golf Trust we've created a full programme of free or low cost activities for families across Fife. You can search by activity or by area to find something that's just right for you and your children.

Spokesperson for Communities and Leisure Services Cllr. Linda Erskine explained why this support for families is so important. She said: " The effects of Covid are still having an impact on our children and young people in terms of activity, socialisation, friendships,  and especially the longer term effects on their mental health. Then along comes the cost of living crisis, putting more pressure on families. We want to try to mitigate the impacts of all of this on the next generation and that's why we are supporting our trusts to provide more free or low cost activities for children and young people this summer. "

The school holidays can also leave some children and young people more exposed to harm, either at home, while out and about, or online. We can all help protect children by keeping eyes and ears open, being alert to signs that all is not well, and by acting on any concerns we might have.

Cllr Erskine said: "We all have a duty to look out for the children around us. Child protection is everyone's responsibility and for some children the absence of school can leave them more exposed to abuse.  However, if you think a child has been harmed, telephone the Social Work Contact Centre on 03451 55 15 03, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Out-with these hours, please call them on 03451 55 00 99. Or you can call the police on telephone number 101, 24/7. If you consider a child(ren) or young person to be in immediate danger, call the Police on 999.

"I'd also ask parents to make sure they know what their own children are doing this summer and where they are. Anti-social behaviour is becoming a problem in a number of our towns, with really large groups of young people congregating and causing trouble. Vandalism, fighting and fire-raising is a real issue. This isn't just an inconvenience to other people, it can have serious consequences for the young people themselves. They can get themselves into trouble either physically or by landing themselves a criminal record.

"Talk to your young people and make sure they know the risks and how to keep themselves safe and make the most of this summer in Fife."