Government’s pledge to aid children affected by separation

THE Scottish Government is to set up a new relationship support website to help ensure the wellbeing of children whose parents are separating.

Backed by £500,000 for counselling and mediation services, the pledge comes as part of an £18m commitment to improve support for parents made by Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell as she launched Scotland’s f i rs t national parenting strategy yesterday.

The minister said children needed l ov i ng, nur t ur i ng relationships to thrive, and that parents could help lay strong foundations. However, she said it was important to be realistic about the fact some parents will divorce or separate.

The strategy says the Government wants to help families struggling with relationship issues, with the aim of healing relationships where possible and reducing conflict when separation occurs. The new website will highlight services across Scotland for separating families, including those offering counselling and mediation.

However, Ms Campbell denied the strategy would involve telling parents how to bring up their children. Instead, she said it was about recognising the challenges inherent in bringing up children and about changing Scotland’s culture to one where asking for help was not seen as failure.

Ms Campbell said: “We know parents or those with a parenting role are the greatest influence on children, so if we’re serious about improving children’s life chances and making Scotland the best place to grow up, we must ensure p a r e nt s a nd carers feel empowered, valued, supported and confident in their abilities.

“At the same time, they must know help is out there if they need it.”