Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012
16 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Parenting Strategy
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. The Scottish Government’s motion rightly highlights the role that parents and carers play in the development of our young people, but perhaps more important is that it acknowledges the need to support families who are experiencing difficulties.
I think that all members in the chamber would agree that children’s formative years are shaped by the environment in which they are brought up, and that factors such as poverty and poor health can have a negative impact on a child’s eventual transition into adulthood.
The recent growing up in Scotland survey gave an insight into some of the more worrying statistics that are available on physical health, such as the prevalence of tooth decay. Approximately 38 per cent of children in primary 1 suffer from that condition, which is linked to the fact that approximately 35 per cent of schoolchildren consume snacks with high sugar or fat content more than once a day, while 69 per cent lack a varied fruit and vegetable diet.
We all know that if children are to develop into healthy and responsible adults who have achieved their educational and physical potential and are ready to take on the role of parenting the next generation, there is a lot more to it than food. Their earliest years are all-important. The briefing that members have received from Barnardo’s Scotland—an organisation for which I have enormous respect—neatly sums up what we should be aiming for in a society in which, sadly, there exist families in which there are generations of people who have not had good parenting and who do not have parenting skills to pass on.
Barnardo’s says that a national parenting strategy should be based on three principles: “prepare, advise and support”. It says that it must also
“focus on all aspects of parenting from pre-conception, pre-birth, birth, early years, 16-18, and transition to adulthood.”
I absolutely agree with Barnardo’s, and I think that we should always bear in mind what it says as the national strategy develops. I was encouraged by the minister’s comments in that regard.
I was also pleased by the minister’s comments about fathers, because I am totally convinced that it is extremely important that children have, where possible, positive interaction with both parents. To date, many fathers have had a raw deal, particularly when relationships have broken down.
I think that all members in the chamber would agree that children’s formative years are shaped by the environment in which they are brought up, and that factors such as poverty and poor health can have a negative impact on a child’s eventual transition into adulthood.
The recent growing up in Scotland survey gave an insight into some of the more worrying statistics that are available on physical health, such as the prevalence of tooth decay. Approximately 38 per cent of children in primary 1 suffer from that condition, which is linked to the fact that approximately 35 per cent of schoolchildren consume snacks with high sugar or fat content more than once a day, while 69 per cent lack a varied fruit and vegetable diet.
We all know that if children are to develop into healthy and responsible adults who have achieved their educational and physical potential and are ready to take on the role of parenting the next generation, there is a lot more to it than food. Their earliest years are all-important. The briefing that members have received from Barnardo’s Scotland—an organisation for which I have enormous respect—neatly sums up what we should be aiming for in a society in which, sadly, there exist families in which there are generations of people who have not had good parenting and who do not have parenting skills to pass on.
Barnardo’s says that a national parenting strategy should be based on three principles: “prepare, advise and support”. It says that it must also
“focus on all aspects of parenting from pre-conception, pre-birth, birth, early years, 16-18, and transition to adulthood.”
I absolutely agree with Barnardo’s, and I think that we should always bear in mind what it says as the national strategy develops. I was encouraged by the minister’s comments in that regard.
I was also pleased by the minister’s comments about fathers, because I am totally convinced that it is extremely important that children have, where possible, positive interaction with both parents. To date, many fathers have had a raw deal, particularly when relationships have broken down.
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...