Can't, Not Won't
‘Can’t’ not ‘won’t’ - is there a choice? Or is there a barrier? For many young people, it’s not a case of ‘won’t’, but of ‘can’t’; life has limited their ability to make progress. SCCR's 2025 online conference ran across March, featuring eight events that examined what these barriers are, how they came to be – and what we can do to help them pass these obstacles. Below you will find video of each of the events.

Status Quo or Status No: Rethinking Mental Health in Education
We are in the midst of a mental health crisis, and status quo is not good enough for Scotland’s young people. Led by Billy Burke (Head of Service at SAMH), this event explored and discussed what needs to change and how can the education system help.
This event took place on Thursday, 13 March, 4pm to 5pm.
Billy Burke
Scottish Action for Mental Health
Head of Service
Young Carers: Give me a Break
This recorded event provides a summary of who young carers are and the challenges they may face. You will also hear Lorna Gibson of Carers Trust Scotland discuss some of the national work, legislation and support available for young carers and their families.
This event took place on Tuesday, 18 March, 11am to 12pm.
Lorna Gibson
Carers Trust Scotland
Young Carer Network Coordinator
Balancing Screen Time
Understanding children’s and young peoples' relationship with digital is key to finding common ground when it comes to managing screen time. During this session, we explore the digital landscape, what ‘screen time’ actually means and what balanced screen time looks like along with tools to support children and young people’s wellbeing when it comes to screens.
This event took place on Wednesday, 26 March, 10am to 11am.
Sheena Peckham
Internet Matters
Content Lead
It Takes all Kind of Minds: Neurodiversity and Family Conflict
Nelly Whaley, Training Manager at Salvesen Mindroom Centre, led this virtual workshop which explores how you can begin to take a more holistic, strengths-based approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals. Participants were encouraged to reflect on how their practice can promote inclusion and acceptance.
This event took place on Thursday, 20 March, 2pm to 3pm.
Nelly Whaley
Salvesen Mindroom Centre
Training Manager
Recovering from Violence
James Docherty, Project Manager at Scottish Violence Reduction Unit leads on assessment, formulation and interventions that contribute to all (SVRU) activity using a public health approach to reduce violence. During his talk, he gives professional insight and experience in what it takes to overcome adversity, relating his work in this field to the challenging family life he experiened as a child.
This event took place on Thursday, 13 March, 10am to 11am.
James Docherty
Scottish Violence Reduction Unit
Project Manager
Flipping the Script
SCCR's Aimee McDonald and Katie Walker led a session designed to equip both parents and professionals with the tools to foster positive interactions, manage challenging behaviours, and create an environment of growth and understanding. In this recording of this session, we will explore: micro-choices, shifting perspectives, specific conflict resolution strategies, and interpersonal methods for shifting perspectives to promote engagement.
This event took place on Tuesday, 25 March, 2pm to 3pm.
Katie Walker/Aimee McDonald
Cyrenians SCCR/Cyrenians SCCR
Learning Facilitator/Emotional Health and Wellbeing Lead
Supporting Children with Language Difficulties
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is common but is often unidentified. So what is DLD and how is it recognised? What are the potential impacts (on wellbeing, academic achievement and relationships) and how can we support language and communication in all environments? Fiona Petrie, Speech and Language Therapist at NHS Lothian leads this recorded session.
This event took place on Thursday, 20 March, 10am to 11am.
Fiona Petrie
NHS Lothian
Speech and Language Therapist
Why Can’t My Child Wake Up and Get Ready for School on Time?
This talk, which took place on World Sleep Day 2025, provided an overview of the natural changes in sleep experienced by adolescents that make it difficult to get up and function well early in the morning. It outlined how parents and society can be more understanding of the barriers adolescents experience, while still putting in place good habits to encourage adolescents to get enough sleep to function well during the day.
This event took place on Friday, 14 March, 11am to 12pm.
Megan Crawford
University of Strathclyde
Reader in Psychology
Upcoming events
IN HOUSE - Aberdeen City Council - Understand, Communicate & Resolve
3 June 2025 | 09:30 - 12:30
SCCR - Barriers & Belonging: the real challenges for young asylum seekers
10 June 2025 | 12:00 - 13:00
OPEN/IN PERSON TRAINING - Stirling - Understand, Communicate & Resolve
12 June 2025 | 10:00 - 16:00
OPEN/IN PERSON TRAINING - Aberdeen - Understand, Communicate & Resolve
26 June 2025 | 10:00 - 16:00