A LOCAL councillor has praised the work of Fife Seen and Heard group who play a key role in helping children develop their skills and talents.

Cardenden councillor, Rosemary Liewald, joined with Seen and Heard on their day of celebration event for this year’s group at Falkland. Teachers, social workers and invited members of the Fife Corporate Parent Board were given the chance to join the group and see examples of the children's work from the past year and to speak to the youngsters about their experiences and thoughts.

Following this a more celebratory 'fun' part of the day, where parents/carers/families and other people related to the children were invited to have have a pizza together and then have a look at the children's work and watch them receive their certificates and get some well-earned praise.

The day was split into two parts-professionals from 11:15-12:30 and then families from 12:45-2:30, with a shared lunch from 12:30.

Said Councillor Liewald, chair of Fife Joint Health and Social Care Board: "I and others were then given a chance to chat to the children and join them in celebrating the outstanding work they have done throughout the year.

"Looked after children in Fife are nominated for the Seen + Heard Fife programme by social workers or teachers based on a set of criteria for participation. Nominations come for children in foster care, kinship care or those who are looked after at home.

"Part of delivering a rights-based group programme is understanding and balancing the individual needs of participating children. By doing so, we create a positive group dynamic and a system of support for each individual child".

She added: "Children’s Parliament staff first meet the children individually at their schools, where initial conversations, introductions and creative work begins.

"The children take part in monthly group sessions in the beautiful setting of Falkland Centre for Stewardship, where children engage in creative activities, communal meals, team building, mindfulness, outdoor play, den-building and group discussions.

"The main activity of the programme is an intensive week-long papier-mâché project in which the children create a model of themselves, representing who they want to be in 20 years’ time.

"As part of Seen + Heard Fife, every child learns about their rights to be healthy, happy and safe. The children develop the skills, behaviours, values and knowledge they need to be active, engaged citizens, which links with the outcomes in Curriculum for Excellence. The group also reflects on how adults can support them, identifying key individuals and services and where they can find more information and support".

Councillor Liewald also observed: "An important part of the Seen + Heard Fife programme is engagement with adults. During the group sessions, members of the Fife Corporate Parent Board and other professionals, working with looked after children, visit and speak with the children about their lives.

"At the end of the programme, parents/carers, teachers, social workers and other professionals come together to celebrate the children’s achievements. Following their first year in the Seen + Heard Fife programme, children engage in a transition group to maintain relationships, engage in further consultations and activities, and to support them as they move into secondary school.

"In the transition group, children continue to develop the skills, behaviour, values and knowledge from Seen + Heard Fife; this enables them to take part in life at home, at school and in the community with more confidence.

"Children from Seen + Heard Fife often go on to participate in the 2bHeard groups for care experienced young people aged 12+ in Fife."