Alex Salmond clashes with Scottish government over sexual harassment investigations. Meanwhile, Kindred CEO Sophie Pilgrim urges the Scottish government to prioritise vaccination for parents that provide medical care for their children.
Leadership in Focus
Kindred, a Scottish based organisation, that provides expert guidance to families of children with disabilities and other complex needs continues to advocate for the necessity of a vaccine for parent carers.
In August 2020, parent-led organisation Kindred released a report detailing the damning effects of COVID-19 on parents providing care for their children. The results of the survey, taken from 42 families in 17 local authorities across Scotland, noted that: ‘93 percent of these families experienced an impact on their ability to meet their children’s medical and care needs due to the pandemic’.
The survey found that over 60% of parents were not receiving respite care due to the pandemic. This evidences the necessity of such carers to receive the vaccination, as in many cases parents are sole carers and cannot afford to become ill.
Kindred’s CEO, Sophie Pilgrim, stated that: ‘As the vaccine becomes available, we must prioritise parents who are providing medical care for their children and cannot afford to get sick themselves.’
In the meantime, Kindred has adapted their regular services to help families during the pandemic. Their advocacy workers are operating remotely to aid with:
• Assistance with benefits (Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Universal Credit, Carers Allowance)
• Assistance with trust grant funding for aids and equipment
• Information and support on statutory care (education, health and social work)
• Support to families who are being discharged from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh (Sick Kids)
Leadership today
Alex Salmond refuses to give evidence to Holyrood regarding the Scottish Government’s handling of sexual harassment complaints against him.
Salmond won a judicial review against the Scottish government, that stated investigations into sexual harassment claims were unfair and biased, meaning he does not have to give evidence to the committee.
The contention over Salmond’s committee appearance is based upon the legality of Nicola Sturgeon’s evidence given to parliament.
The Times notes that allies of Salmond suggest he was the victim of a politically motivated conspiracy. Such inferences have been dismissed by Sturgeon as ‘nonsense’.
Salmond now is likely to hold his own press conference to make his version of events public rather than appear at Holyrood.
Leadership in History
On this day in 1587 Mary, Queen of Scots, is beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle aged 44 after being convicted of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth I in the Babington Plot.
Photo by Daniel Schludi on unsplash
