A report examined the experiences of fathers involved in the child protection system in Scotland. Professional responses to child protection concerns could marginalize fathers from services and more importantly from their parental role. This had serious implications for children's development and emotional well-being and was in contravention of their right to contact with both parents according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Source: Nick Smithers, Listening to Fathers: Men s experience of child protection in central Scotland, Circle (Family Service Unit Scotland)
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined the first three years' operation of new financial remedies between cohabitants following separation in Scots law. It illustrated the phenomenon of 'unintended consequences' arising from law reform, and family law reform in particular.
Source: Jo Miles, Fran Wasoff, and Enid Mordaunt, 'Reforming family law – the case of cohabitation: "things may not work out as you expect"', Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, Volume 34 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Oct
Researchers examined the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland, including a review of United Kingdom literature.
Source: Isabelle Brodie and Jenny Pearce, Exploring the Scale and Nature of Child Sexual Exploitation in Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Oct
The Scottish Government published its first national parenting strategy. The strategy set out a range of commitments including: additional investment to improve access to information, advice, and support for parents throughout their children's lives; legislation to provide a dedicated first contact- such as a health visitor – to co-ordinate support and advice for every child who needed it; more help for families going through relationship difficulties; and offering parenting programmes to parents of young children with behavioural problems.
Source: National Parenting Strategy: Making a positive difference to children and young people through parenting, Scottish Government
Links: Strategy | Scottish Government press release | Action for Children press release | Children in Scotland press release | Family Fund press release | SCMA press release
Date: 2012-Oct
A study reviewed the scale and nature of child neglect in Scotland.
Source: Brigid Daniel, Cheryl Burgess, and Jane Scott, Review of Child Neglect in Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jul
The Scottish Government began consultation on proposals for improving children's rights and services. Measures in the Bill included: embedding the rights of children and young people across the public sector in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; improving the availability of high-quality, flexible, integrated early learning and childcare; and improving the rights of young people leaving care.
Source: A Scotland for Children: A consultation on the Children and Young People Bill, Scottish Government
Links: Consultation document | Scottish Government press release | Letter | COSLA press release | SNP press release | BBC report
Date: 2012-Jul
An article examined children's and parents' experiences of working parenthood over time, drawing on data from a qualitative, longitudinal study with 14 working families from Scotland. It considered how these experiences could be understood in relation to the moral narratives of parenting and constructions of childhood.
Source: Jeni Harden, Alice MacLean, Kathryn Backett-Milburn, and Sarah Cunningham-Burley, 'The "family-work project": children's and parents' experiences of working parenthood', Families, Relationships and Societies, Volume 1 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jul
The annual 'Growing Up in Scotland' reports looked at life as a child in Scotland, focusing on early experiences at primary school, weight and physical activity, and the involvement of grandparents.
Source: Lynn Jamieson, Pamela Warner, and Paul Bradshaw, Growing Up in Scotland: The involvement of grandparents in children s lives, Scottish Government | Alison Parkes, Helen Sweeting, and Daniel Wight, Growing Up in Scotland: Overweight, obesity and activity, Scottish Government | Paul Bradshaw, Julia Hall, Tessa Hill, Judith Mabelis, and Dan Philo, Growing Up in Scotland: Early experiences of primary school parental involvement in school activities, Scottish Government | Paul Bradshaw, Julia Hall, Tessa Hill, Judith Mabelis, and Dan Philo, Growing Up in Scotland: Early Experiences of Primary School – The Transition to School, Scottish Government
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | Report (3) | Report (4) | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2012-May
A report provided a statistical snapshot of child poverty in a range of local areas in Scotland, with a specific focus on income and education.
Source: Child Poverty in Scotland: A local snapshot, Save the Children
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Apr
