5. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that both parents can play an active role in their children’s lives following divorce or separation. (S5O-00603)

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of relationship support, given the impact that divorce and separation can have on children. That is why we are providing around £2 million per year through our children, young people and families early Intervention fund to organisations that provide relationship support, including Relationships Scotland and the Spark.

We have also funded Relationships Scotland to develop a new parenting apart service, with the specific aim of helping separating or separated parents to support their children through what can be a difficult time, and we continue to support ParentLine Scotland, which provides advice and information to parents and families on a range of issues, including issues relating to the break-up of relationships.

Family breakdown can be a difficult time for all concerned, particularly the children. Recent research from Sweden, where shared parenting following family breakdown is now the norm and gender stereotypes regarding childcare responsibilities are becoming a thing of the past, has shown that, when children spend significant amounts of time with both parents, social, psychological and emotional outcomes are improved. Will the Minister undertake to look into that research and to evaluate how it might inform the approach to family law and contact arrangements in Scotland?

I am happy to assure Mr McKee that we are aware of that research and that it forms part of the wide body of international research and evidence that helps to inform our approach to the development of policy. Mr McKee may also wish to know that we are already acting in the area to update and publish information to support parents who are separating.

We are also committed to reviewing the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The intent behind our manifesto commitment in the area is to consider how to ensure that the child remains at the centre of responsibilities and rights relating to parents. In addition, we wish to ensure that the legislation enables children to maintain relationships with significant adults in their lives when that is in the child’s best interests even if their parents’ relationship breaks down. We also need to protect children from inappropriate continuing contact.