The annual SHINE National Network Event is fast approaching on Thurs 15th May. All speakers have been confirmed for an exciting programme with the theme:

“The social media generation – how can health research support adults’ understanding of children and adolescents’ health wellbeing in a culture alien to their own upbringing?”

We have a few final delegate spaces left so book now before registration closes on 30th April. We hope that you will be able to join us!

The ‘Addressing Barriers to School Attendance to Improve Long-Term Outcomes’ (ABSAIL) project aims to identify ways to improve health, social and educational outcomes for young people experiencing Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) by exploring the issues from a school and family/young person perspective. 

Please contribute to the national conversation about current practice associated with Emotionally-based school non-attendance by completing the ABSAIL survey (see details below). Your contribution will help us to explore examples of effective practice and how schools and related services can best support young people who are affected.

The project is led by the University of Glasgow and funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. See our website for more information: www.gla.ac.uk/ABSAIL or email ebsna@glasgow.ac.uk

Dr Jo Inchley, Co-Director of SHINE, will be presenting at Holyrood Insight's School Attendance Scotland Conference. This event will share practical insights to help educationalists address persistent absence in the school setting. Jo will take part in the panel session "Tackling Emotionally-based School Non-Attendance" which will include discussion of:

• Identifying, addressing and preventing EBSA
• Understanding the relationship between attendance, behaviour and wellbeing
• Promoting mental wellbeing for students to boost school attendance
• Providing specialist support for learners that need it

SHINE and Generation Scotland have been working in partnership to develop a suite of resources for schools to explain what is big data, how does data linkage work and why research data ethics are so important. We are delighted to be one of 5 projects to receive funding from Research Data Scotland to improve the design, and broaden the range of accessibility and relevance for young people and schools. The aim is to improve engagement with the lesson plans in order to reach a wider audience with maximum impact, ensuring that young people have a good understanding of health research methods.