Buttons with @markmcdsnp

A visit to Inverness today to see the new Children's Hearings centre opened recently by SCRA. The new venue is bright and airy and a more conducive environment for the difficult discussions that frequently need to be had with children,, young people and their families.

As is increasingly happening when centres are being refurbished by SCRA and as resources allow, a more relaxed layout is being introduced to the hearing room. Less formal tables and chairs, softer furnishings and pastel colours. The traditional style of room (with more modern and less imposing furniture) still exists but the option of the model hearing room is to be welcomed.

The day included an opportunity to meet the new Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald MSP and have a discussion about the challenges facing the system, our ambitions for the system and the current review of child protection. As the recent summit highlighted, I have a sense that we have the right legislation and polices in place. We collectively need to get better at preventive work and delivering what needs to be done when problems are identified.

The vast majority of the artwork on the walls was done by young people who were looked after or, to use the other phrase, care experienced. Some detailed creative work from glassware to drawing to photography. I particularly liked this dipay of buttons made by the young people.

The extra is a view of Edinburgh from the train on the way back. The opportunities for the view are few and far between as much of the side of the track is filled with trees and bushes. In this shot you can see the blur of sme if them, but I like the effect they create around the main focus of the photo.