Alison Dickie

“For those reasons, I very much support this petition (#PE1979) remaining open and being rigorously pursued by our successor committee.” Just some of the supportive words for our petition at today’s Citizenship Participation and Public Petitions Committee. On behalf of the many whistleblowers and survivors behind the petition’s calls, some who joined us today, we want to voice our thanks to the committee. You did not let us down. Independent investigation of allegations relating to the mishandling of child abuse and child safeguarding concerns by public bodies and an independent national whistleblowing office for education and children’s services is an absolutely vital step forward in better protecting children in Scotland. We also want to thank @AshReganMSP for her written submission to committee in support of our continued petition, @MGallacherMSP for the time she spent listening (so important) to whistleblowing and survivor voices today and @Miles4Lothian for his ongoing support and raising our petition with Professor Jay in the Education and Young People’s Committee today. We will now work to ensure that it is ‘rigorously pursued’ in the next parliament and in the interim…get it in the manifestos! See some further words of support below and links to learn more.  Shout out also to our fourth petitioner, Neil McLennan, who was not with us today but watching remotely. “This issue is very much current and it hasn’t been dealt with and the responses really so far could be summarised by saying the public sector is marking its own homework in Scotland.  It’s marking its own jotters.” “It hasn’t been dealt with in any meaningful way by the government.  It must be dealt with because otherwise the government and parliament are failing the people in Scotland.” #childsafeguarding #whistleblowing #childrensrights #Article19 #p=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/pdqf/#p=1 #p=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/uglv/#p=1 PE1979 Establish an independent inquiry and an independent national whistleblowing officer | Scottish Parliament Website

PE1979 is calling for: • An independent investigation into unresolved child abuse & safeguarding concerns • An independent whistleblowing office for education & children’s services • Expansion of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry into safeguarding gaps across regulated & non-regulated settings In Feb 2026 MSPs voted for the petition to continue into the new parliamentary session a major step forward. Support is growing across Scotland from MSPs, councillors, survivors, whistleblowers & members of the public who believe children deserve better protections and real accountability. “We owe these people our support, because in the past we have failed them.” Cllr Jo Mowat Please contact your MSPs and local representatives and ask them to support #PE1979

#PE1979 petitioners have this week forwarded a copy of our new briefing booklet to all #MSPs entering the 7th session of the #ScottishParliament. It is our hope that child safeguarding will be a priority across the parties and that all will support our petition’s calls.   Please take a moment to read our briefing and to learn more.  We continue to be here for whistleblowers, survivors and all raising the mishandling of child abuse concerns by public bodies.   #childsafeguarding #whistleblowing #childrensrights   online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/fcol/

Take a moment to listen to Holly's song. Brave and creative words that will powerfully connect with and support many others. #childsafeguarding #childrensrights

@mariema37559172 I’m really sorry about that Marie. That is quite simply unacceptable. Keep speaking out and together let’s try to change that story for survivors. Voices need so much better heard.

@AlisonMBDickie Keep up the good work because no one else will in Scotland! You stand alone as a Survivor. You have a MSP supposedly helping you but hasn't spoken with you in 2 years, you question another MSP Re National Inquiry and get dismissed.

As Scotland heads to the polls today, #PE1979 petitioners look forward to working with MSPs across parties and any independents to more speedily progress the calls of our continued petition. Petitioners, survivors and whistleblowers will again highlight the vital need for an independent national whistleblowing office for education and children’s services and independent investigation of allegations relating to the mishandling of child abuse concerns by public bodies. Allegations that cover the length and breadth of Scotland. It is believed that this will best establish the child safeguarding truth, provide greater confidence in the personnel and systems in place, and better keep children in Scotland safe. Watch this space! #childsafeguarding #childprotection #childrensrights #whistleblowing

Education is everything. For one, it helps empower more people to use their voice. A short Scottish Parliament video ahead of Thursday’s vote.

@AlisonMBDickie So True. Survivors are always dismissed as though we asked to be Abused.

Ex-Bay City Rollers manager was '100%' involved in VIP paedophile ring, inquiry hears trib.al/236rdjy

Deeply disappointed to hear this week from a CSA CSE survivor that I support as a #PE1979 petitioner that they felt almost dismissed when directly posing a question to one of the panel members. Very much noted by members of the wider audience who approached the survivor afterwards to comment on her bravery and the unacceptable tone of the response that she received. Survivors need to be better heard if we are to deliver justice, establish the child safeguarding truth and better keep our children safe.

Under Comms for Kids, I provide public affairs and communications support for children's charities and others as well as online tutoring for individual students and small groups - to help empower voices from the earliest age and also groups of all ages who need to be better heard. I'm enjoying the development of both services so if you are a charity, community group or a parent, get in touch. I'd love to hear from you! #publicaffairs #communications #education #tutoring #childrensrights

"This shouldn't be seen as a luxury. This is a lifeline.." Another sad story about families who have children with complex needs and disabilities having to yet again fight for the support that they need. #childrensrights

Le printemps à Bruxelles

Links… #p=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/pdqf/#p=1 #p=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">online.fliphtml5.com/hjdba/uglv/#p=1 PE1979 Establish an independent inquiry and an independent national whistleblowing officer | Scottish Parliament Website

Can you help? If you support the calls of petition #PE1979 here’s how… As PE1979 petitioners, we call on every Scottish Parliament candidate to show their personal support for our petition’s calls and in recognition of the serious child safeguarding concerns involved. We are also encouraging people right across Scotland to ask their/your local candidates, irrespective of their political colours, if they personally support PE1979. We’ve prepared some text below that you might find helpful. We would particularly highlight the paragraphs which explain that there should be no watering down of the petition’s calls or anything that could be perceived to be simply a dressed up version of the current system that has failed too many. Rather, a new model is needed for an independent national whistleblowing office, one that, from the outset, is shaped by those with lived experience of the issues and which is accessible to all raising mishandled child abuse concerns. In the interim, we’re here as always for any whistleblowers or survivors who would find our support helpful, so do get in touch. #childsafeguarding #whistleblowing #childrensrights

@HollyAlex_o @lezleymarion Great to hear that the launch went well Holly. Keep going, there's a lot of support all around you.

Blown away by the amount of support I received last night at my book singing. I want to take the time to thank every single person who took time out their evening to come and spend it with me thank you. Very honoured to have Depute Lord Provost @lezleymarion come along as well with a colleague.

A book that very much needs to be read by anyone committed to better keeping children safe. A brave and inspirational voice - and I suspect an equally inspiring launch event. #childsafeguarding #childrensrights

@HollyAlex_o Go for it Holly! I have little doubt that it will be an inspiring event.

The day is here… have to admit I’m a nervous wreck but looking forward to meeting everyone. Open to all and hope to see some familiar faces.

This week, I come to the end of my time with a lovely client and in doing so, I’m reminded about the wonder that is people power. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside a small but dedicated team of professionals, all with huge children’s rights hearts and a compassionate determination to make this world a better place for children and their families. Sometimes the news all around us can lead us to despair about our world and the future of our children and young people. And yet, if we look all around us, there are people in small spaces everywhere with their sleeves rolled up and giving their best for children and indeed everyone. It’s called people power, never underestimate it! Let’s just turn up the volume and collaborative impact! See my website below and get in touch if you’d like to discuss how we can work together to make that difference. #childrensrights #publicaffairs #communications #education alisondickieconsultancy.co.uk

@Heavy_Boab @bethmorrison Totally understand.

@AlisonMBDickie @bethmorrison It's sad that we have to have the confidence to protect children. If the system was working as intended it shouldn't be a battle. If everyone put children first, we wouldn't have these problems.

How wonderful to see people power (Never underestimate it!) stories in the news and especially when it's about making Scotland a safer place for children. Absolute shout out to @bethmorrison and her fabulous team on the passing of #CalumsLaw Persistence and compassion are everything and Beth has shown that in bucket loads in her long and dedicated campaign. #childrensrights bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@Heavy_Boab @bethmorrison Great to hear that you have been given the confidence to keep going. It's the best bit of advice when it comes to all things child protection.

@AlisonMBDickie @bethmorrison She’s such a great person and has given Lisa and I the confidence to keep going. Both Beth and Kate have shown incredible resilience to achieve this.