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Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012

16 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

National Parenting Strategy

Milne, Nanette Con North East Scotland Watch on SPTV

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 access to both parents. It is a serious problem that worries me a lot. As a grandparent, I am extremely fortunate, but some grandparents have serious difficulties in being able to look after their grandchildren.

I turn to children in care or, more specifically, looked-after children. We recognise that among them there is a significant problem with regard to educational attainment, and it is quite clear that there is a link between attendance and exclusion rates and being in care, whether it is residential, kinship or foster care. In the past 10 years, we have seen the number of looked-after children rise by a staggering 69 per cent—the figure now stands at over 15,000, which is the highest level for 30 years. In my region—North East Scotland—the number of children in care in Dundee has doubled over the space of a decade and children’s services are said to be reaching saturation point.

The problems do not stop once children have left school. In 2009-10, 56 per cent of young adults gained five or more qualifications at Scottish credit and qualifications framework or higher level. A mere 0.5 per cent of school leavers who were in care got the same results.

The establishment of the early years task force in November last year was a real and welcome attempt by the Scottish Government to bring together key stakeholders including local government, the national health service, the police and the third sector—all of which have an impact on the early years of children’s lives. Helping the most vulnerable of Scotland’s children is a particular aim of the task force, and I look forward to the development of the childcare strategy as it evolves to support all Scotland’s parents in their vital task.

The general theme of the amendment in my name, which I hope the minister might be minded to accept, is that we feel that, if we are to help our young people to appreciate the responsibilities that come with parenthood, schools must have a role to play. Therefore, our amendment pays tribute to the teachers who are trained in providing the invaluable additional support that our most vulnerable young people require at the earliest age. I hope that the minister shares my concerns about the fact that the number of those teachers appears to be falling. Perhaps she will address that situation in her closing remarks.

We are very happy to support the Government in developing a parenting strategy if the intention is to bring all the necessary strands together in one overarching framework, which parents and teachers alike want to see.

I move amendment S4M-02888.1, to insert at end:

“; recognises that, as well as parents and carers, schools also have an important role to play in helping young people to appreciate the responsibilities that come with parenthood; pays tribute to the teachers who are trained in providing additional support requirements and who do so much to ensure that the most vulnerable young people are identified at the earliest age; notes with concern the recent evidence that indicates declining numbers of these teachers, and calls on the Scottish Government to address this concern as a matter of urgency.”

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Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012

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