Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012
16 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Parenting Strategy
I do not think that any member would argue about the importance of parents in a child’s life. Parents and other guardians are often the biggest influence on children’s life chances, and we know that children thrive in a stable and supportive home environment.
As I have said several times before, we will work with the Government when it is doing things right and we will challenge it when it is not. The Labour Party has a track record of commitment to supporting parents and children. The “For Scotland’s children: Better integrated children’s services” report in 2001 drew together an action team of experts from local government, the national health service and the voluntary sector to look at how better to integrate children’s services, and it was Labour that introduced the getting it right for every child agenda to ensure that all Scotland’s children, young people and their families have consistent and co-ordinated support. I am pleased that the Scottish National Party Government is carrying on that agenda.
Labour members therefore welcome the Scottish Government’s indication that it plans to support parents and other guardians, but we want to see more urgent action to support parents. The truth is that there is little to applaud or oppose so far in relation to the national parenting strategy and this debate. We have a debate not to launch a consultation process or even, at the end, to discuss the strategy. The strategy is not yet tangible, and although most people would support the broad principle of a strategy in which parents are consulted and that seeks to support them with parenting, the real test is still to come.
As I have said several times before, we will work with the Government when it is doing things right and we will challenge it when it is not. The Labour Party has a track record of commitment to supporting parents and children. The “For Scotland’s children: Better integrated children’s services” report in 2001 drew together an action team of experts from local government, the national health service and the voluntary sector to look at how better to integrate children’s services, and it was Labour that introduced the getting it right for every child agenda to ensure that all Scotland’s children, young people and their families have consistent and co-ordinated support. I am pleased that the Scottish National Party Government is carrying on that agenda.
Labour members therefore welcome the Scottish Government’s indication that it plans to support parents and other guardians, but we want to see more urgent action to support parents. The truth is that there is little to applaud or oppose so far in relation to the national parenting strategy and this debate. We have a debate not to launch a consultation process or even, at the end, to discuss the strategy. The strategy is not yet tangible, and although most people would support the broad principle of a strategy in which parents are consulted and that seeks to support them with parenting, the real test is still to come.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02888, in the name of Aileen Campbell, on the national parenting strategy for Scotland.14:05
The Minister for Children and Young People (Aileen Campbell)
SNP
The Scottish Government’s aspiration is for Scotland to be the best place for children and young people to grow up in. We want all our children to have the b...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I will give way to dad Mark McDonald.
Mark McDonald
SNP
Does the minister agree that an issue that affects fathers—albeit that it is outwith the Scottish Government’s remit—is the short time that they are given fo...
Aileen Campbell
SNP
Mark McDonald has made a valid point. The issue was the subject of discussion in the context of the Queen’s speech in the United Kingdom Parliament, and I lo...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I do not think that any member would argue about the importance of parents in a child’s life. Parents and other guardians are often the biggest influence on ...
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I grant that a lot of the consultation work with parents who face particular challenges has been done, but my intention in having the debate was to give memb...
Neil Bibby
Lab
I will certainly give the minister some suggestions later in my speech.Better preparing and supporting parents in the responsibilities and opportunities that...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member is in his last minute.
Neil Bibby
Lab
If the Government continues to let down kinship carers, what hope do other parents have that the national parenting strategy will help them?If the Government...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
We Conservatives welcome the debate, and in so doing we recognise the importance of a permanent and loving family environment in which to bring up children. ...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
A number of fathers have been in touch with me about that. Does Nanette Milne agree that the courts seem to start from the position that the mother should ha...
Nanette Milne
Con
Yes, I absolutely agree with John Mason. My family has experience of that situation, although we had a very positive outcome and my grandchildren have great ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the open debate. I remind members that speeches should be up to four minutes long.14:28
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I am glad to speak in this important debate on a national parenting strategy for Scotland.I congratulate my colleague Jim Eadie on sponsoring yesterday eveni...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am always glad to have the opportunity to discuss how we can improve the lives of children and young people in Scotland, and today is no different. However...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Like in Glasgow.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Wilson, will you please stop shouting across the chamber?
Anne McTaggart
Lab
The importance of the early years to a person’s development is now more apparent than ever. That should be reflected by action to improve children’s start in...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
Anne McTaggart
Lab
My Labour colleagues in Glasgow—
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member is not giving way.
Anne McTaggart
Lab
—will also extend the vulnerable twos programme, which offers support to vulnerable children across the city and will focus resources on parenting support fo...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate the minister on securing this debate on the national parenting strategy and the Government on taking the time to consult families from a wide ...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Developing a national parenting strategy that is coherent and relevant to families across Scotland is a laudable aim, but the motion is an extended exercise ...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Siobhan McMahon
Lab
No, thanks. Despite the coalition Government’s sad, if predictable, dismantling of it, sure start remains a shining example of the early years provision to w...