Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, has welcomed the launch of Scottish Government’s Parenting Strategy, saying that it presents an opportunity to strengthen the Government’s flagship Children and Young People Bill.
She went on to say:
“Parents, carers and the wider family are our children’s first educators, protectors and play the critical role in their development. It would not be sensible to progress the Children and Young People Bill without ensuring it takes full account of this new Parenting Strategy. It would not be sensible to think about a child’s wellbeing without considering the support network around them.
“We welcome the Strategy’s focus on championing a much broader understanding of ‘parenting’. Mothers, fathers, other family members and the wider community all have a vital role to play in a child’s life, as do kinships carers, fosters carers and the ‘corporate parent’ for Looked After Children.
“The Strategy’s focus on providing parents with the right support at the right time is also welcome acknowledgement that a parent’s wellbeing has a direct impact on child’s wellbeing.
“The parenting strategy needs to take account of the Children and Young People Bill in terms of how both the bill and strategy relate to parents. For example, the Bill’s focus on strengthening children’s rights could create situations in which parent and child rights are competing.”
