Children and young people in Dumfries and Galloway are being invited to have their say that will influence how local services for children and families should be delivered in the future.
Pupils in Primary 5 to S6 will be given the opportunity over the next few weeks to take part in a short survey during class time.
The Scottish Government Health and Wellbeing Census will ask children and young people about a wide range of themes and topics, including school, physical activity, eating and drinking, social media, emotional and mental wellbeing, friendships, and other health behaviours.
The survey will be used to look at overall levels and patterns of health and wellbeing in order to help schools understand their needs and for the Council to plan local services.
Schools will send letters to parents and carers to provide further details about the health and wellbeing census which takes place in schools during the 2021/22 school session.
Parents can choose not to consent to their child taking part and children can opt to stop the survey at any time. All answers will be anonymised and will be shared with the Scottish Government through a secure transfer system.
Chair of the Education and Learning Committee, Councillor Jeff Leaver, said: “It’s important that we give our children and young people a chance to have their say in the Health and Wellbeing Census, which will influence how local services for children and families should be delivered in the future. This is especially significant after the adjustments they have had to make during the last few years of the pandemic.”
Vice Chair, Councillor Ros Surtees, said: “Two of our Council’s priorities are to provide the best start in life for all our children and to be an inclusive council, therefore giving children and young people the opportunity to take part in this Health and Wellbeing Census means we can have a full picture of how local services can be strengthened.”
