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Ensuring that the best interests of the child are at the centre of decisions that adults make which affect them is a key principle enshrined in Scottish law since the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. But how do parents agree what is best for children, particularly if they are splitting up under difficult circumstances and they…

Article 12 of the UNCRC states that children’s voices must be sought, listened to, and taken into account in matters affecting them. Rosanne Cubitt explains how this right is being respected for children in cases of parental separation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children who are capable of…

On 22 June I attended the annual awards ceremony at York Place to celebrate the completion of 20 years volunteering for what is now known as Relationships Scotland. As the ceremony began, I recalled that day in 1999 when I began my 3 year training in what was then the ACICC (Advanced Certificate in Couple…

Rosanne Cubitt (Head of Practice for Mediation) and I were invited to present a workshop at the AFCC Conference in Toronto recently. This workshop was an opportunity to share information about the support provided by the Relationships Scotland Network, identify how key research and a learning approach informed our Parenting Apart education sessions and encourage…

I got back in brief contact with my father through email, but it was exactly that – brief. He and my mum split not long after I was born and, by the time I was about five, he had completely cut himself out. I also found out that I had a rare, inherited condition that…

Tuesday 19 March 2019 saw the gathering of various professionals working with separated/separating families in Scotland for an outstanding presentation by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). The event was primarily attended by family law solicitors and family mediators but other stakeholders were also represented in the audience, such as representatives from Scottish…

Our current world is confusing, stressful and uncertain, with people generally concerned for their future. We find both our mental wellbeing and physical health can be affected. There is a need in this turmoil to care for ourselves and seek a balanced body and mind connection. Easier said than done, but we know that secure…

January is a time of year when many people who have realised that their relationship is over, start the process of leaving their partner. They might have been thinking of divorcing for a while, but they wait until after Christmas so that their family can enjoy the holidays. Sometimes the strains of the festive season…

As we enter a New Year many of us will have made resolutions. Gym memberships soar as we endeavour to work off the excess of Christmas and become physically healthier. But what of our of relational health? Just as the excess of Christmas might affect physical wellbeing, it can also affect mental wellbeing. The commercialism…

The Charity for Civil Servants has been working in partnership with Relationships Scotland for several years, providing access to relationship counselling throughout Scotland. We work with individuals and couples to identify the best options available to suit your needs. If you are a Civil Servant, past or present or you work for an organisation sponsored…

Kids have opinions too – listen to what they want when a family breaks up

Little Voice

Annual Awards Ceremony at York Place – Di Farmer

Sharing our Learning at the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) 56th Annual Conference

There is no point in forcing yourself to do something if you don’t want to, or if you are doing it for the sake of other people. You have to want it for yourself – Kathleen Campbell

Family Justice and Dispute Resolution: Insights from North America – Marta M Henderson

Counselling can help if life is too much – Fiona Cook

Rosanne Cubitt: Enduring conflict more upsetting for kids than a well managed separation

Relational Health in 2019

The Charity for Civil Servants