University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian in partnership with the Aberdeen Childcare Partnership
Over 120 delegates and speakers from across a wide range of organisations will attend a major conference being held in Aberdeen later this week. The fully subscribed one-day conference, Emotional wellbeing in the early years, is aimed at highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to emotional health as well as supporting 'best practice' through the provision of training resources for staff working in all sectors with children in the 'early years' (0-8 years).
It is the culmination of a two-year project, which has focussed on developing emotional health for 0 - 8 year olds in a range of settings. It has been planned and managed by a multidisciplinary working group of representatives from the Aberdeen Childcare Partnership and will be held at the King's College Centre, University of Aberdeen, on Thursday, February 26.
The conference is being sponsored by the Scottish Executive and NHS Grampian's Aberdeen City Collective, (through the Health Improvement Fund), and supported by the Aberdeen Childcare Partnership.
Attendees at the event range from primary healthcare staff, local authorities, primary and secondary schools, private nurseries, children's charities, and Voluntary Services Aberdeen (VSA).
Principal C Duncan Rice, from the University of Aberdeen, will officially open the conference and welcome attendees. The day will be chaired by Anne Campbell, Deputy Chair of the Grampian NHS Board.
Sarah Kearns, Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Practice, School of Education, at the University of Aberdeen, who chaired the Steering Group in the latter phases, said: "The Steering Group is delighted that this two-year project has been such a success and we hope that this is just an initial phase. The funding from the Health Improvement Fund was integral to allowing the original idea to grow."
"The conference will provide the opportunity to share what we have learned with a wide range of people including parents and practitioners at all levels. The impact upon the practice of those involved in the pilot projects has been amazing and we are looking forward to involving more people, especially using the learning materials which have been produced," she added.
Elaine Allan, Public Health Coordinator with the Aberdeen City Collective, with special responsibility for 'early years', said: "The early years is when we lay the foundations for our future mental health and wellbeing, and when we can develop the resilience to stand us in good stead for the rest of our lives. Yet the World Health Organisation tells us that currently one in five children under the age of 15 experience mental health problems of a short or long-term nature.
"This project will help us take forward this vital element of the public health agenda to improve health, reduce gaps in services, and reduce inequalities."
Delegates will receive an update on the political context as well as details on the current research being undertaken on key aspects of emotional health and resilience. Other topics to be covered at the conference include an outline of the partnership model adopted by the Wellbeing Project, and emerging partnership issues. Opportunities to learn about the unique initiatives in the four individual pilot projects being sponsored will also come under the spotlight. The conference will also provide an opportunity to network with other early years' professionals and speakers.