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Inquiry into the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People

Letter from the Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, 3 November 2021

Dear Joe

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Inquiry into the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People

As part of a discussion of its future work programme on 5 October 2021, the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry into the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People. The Committee subsequently agreed its approach to the inquiry on 2 November 2021.

The inquiry aims to address key issues impacting the health and wellbeing of children and young people including:

• Child poverty (including the Scottish Government’s current child poverty delivery plan), inequality and adverse childhood experiences
• Issues affecting care experienced young people
• Mental health, access to Child and Adult Mental Health Services and the importance of early intervention
• Health and wellbeing in schools

The Committee has issued a call for evidence to support the inquiry which will run until 7 December and plans to begin taking oral evidence immediately after the Christmas recess.

As part of its approach, the Committee agreed that it would write to other relevant committees to make them aware of the planned inquiry and to request an update on any related work your Committee is planning to undertake in this policy area.

To allow the clerks to factor any information you provide into their planning for the inquiry, I would be grateful to receive a response by Tuesday, 30 November 2021.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Gillian Martin MSP

Convener, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee