receive high quality education and care. But not only is there scope to take a broader view, it is essential that all of the different stages in the journey are interconnected. Our opportunity to influence the lives of our


young people begins before they are even born. Parents who have inadequate housing, low incomes or substance dependencies (and potentially all three, or more) start out with a disadvantage when trying to offer the best possible start in life to a new baby. Studies show that 80 per cent of the development in a child’s brain occurs before they are three years old. Emotional and physical neglect of that development can have a permanent effect. We know that high quality early years education


and childcare services can make a real difference to young children and their families. In Edinburgh we are proud of the quality of our early years provision. Our challenge is to develop more flexible provision combining education and childcare, together with parenting support and support for vulnerable children.


pregnant women who have alcohol or other drug misuse problems. The service recognises that pregnancy provides a ‘golden moment’ where mothers are highly motivated to change their


Edinburgh’s ‘Prepare’ service works with


difficulties is even higher. The proposed Early Years Fund, which ringfences investment in this area, is very welcome. Schools have a huge role to play in ensuring


“We want to see them making their way into adult society as happy, productive and responsible individuals”


lifestyles and habits in order to ensure better prospects for their children. Another good example is the health-led Family Nurse Partnership which provides intensive support to all mothers under 19. Such initiatives come at a price but, as we know, the price of not intervening early in such


Relationships Scotland is a national charity that supports a network of affiliated Local Services to provide relationship counselling, family mediation, child contact centres and other related forms of family support across Scotland.


Relationship conflict and family breakdown has increased with the pressure of modern life. Our work focuses on prevention and early intervention and is essential for maintaining the health, well-being and quality of life of adults and children. Individuals, couples, parents and families need high quality services to help them develop their own solutions to the problems they may face in their relationships and in the bringing up of their children.


All political parties recognise the importance of strong stable families to the health and well being of all citizens and particularly in the early years of a child’s life. We believe that politicians need to focus on how these services can be promoted and resourced so that every family that requires help will find the support they need wherever they live in Scotland.


Government action is urgently required to:


• Produce a comprehensive policy statement on relationships and the family which promotes relationship counselling and family mediation as key routes to resolving family conflict and breakdown


• Ensure that relationship counselling, family mediation and child contact centres services receive adequate stable long term statutory funding


• Acknowledge the reliance that the judicial and legal system have on family mediation and child contact centres and fund this accordingly


For more information visit www.relationships-scotland.org.uk Relationships Scotland, 18 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP t: 0845 119 2020, e: enquiries@relationships-scotland.org.uk 31 October 2011 / Holyrood / 11 Families Need:


• Access to relationship support services available to everyone experiencing relationship conflict or relationship breakdown


• Recognition by government of the need to support adult relationships to improve life chances for families and children


• Support for vulnerable and marginalised groups in greatest danger of relationship and family breakdown, including prisoners and teenagers at risk of homelessness


Scotland Needs:


• Counselling and Mediation to be seen as the primary routes for resolving relationship difficulties and family conflict


• Stable, long-term funding for relationship support services across all of Scotland


that all children enjoy their childhood and achieve their potential. High quality, inclusive schools which meet the needs of all of their children play a vital part in improving life chances for their young people and setting foundations for years to come. Curriculum for Excellence focuses on ensuring that our


children develop as rounded individuals, who are confident, responsible and who make an effective contribution within their communities. A big priority is to ensure that schools become better at meeting the needs of pupils who have traditionally been disengaged and disaffected.


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