Blog
New Report from JRF highlights Key Role of Family Relationships
A major new report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has highlighted the importance of family relationships and their impact on poverty across the UK. ‘UK Poverty, Causes, Costs and Solutions’, published by JRF on 6th September, outlines what it means to live in poverty and offers realistic suggestions for actions that would make a…
Read MoreHaveYourSay – SCCR National Survey 2016
Diane Marr, Network Development Manager, SCCR Every year in Scotland, the life chances of almost 4,500 young people are left hanging in the balance as they become homeless due to family relationships breaking down[1]. That’s the equivalent of nearly five high schools worth of pupils! But they are just the tip of the iceberg; we…
Read MoreWrong Heads In Wrong Beds
One of our counsellors Di Farmer has currently submitted her dissertation as part of a MA (hons) Sociology Degree at Glasgow University. The title is “Wrong Heads In Wrong Beds” – explaining Relationship Counsellors views of Infidelity. It seeks to address a gap in sociological research, in a subject which is more widely recognised psychologically. The main …
Read MoreMediation or Litigation? A Brief Overview of the Benefits of Mediation
Mediation is not being utilised to its fullest potential in Scotland at present. With the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee recommending a “wholesale review” of Scots family law this year, I would suggest that this opportunity is used to encourage a greater use of mediation and to raise awareness of the benefits of choosing to settle…
Read MoreParenting Apart Project – Year 1 Summary
Parenting Apart information sessions have been offered across Scotland, from 11 Member Services, since funding was awarded by the Scottish Government in April 2015. In that time over 300 parents have participated in group or individual sessions and found out how to make splitting up less stressful for children. The feedback from parents has been…
Read MoreLGBT Chartermark
Relationships Scotland have become the first national counselling and mediation organisation to receive the prestigious Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual Charter Mark Award this week. Stuart Valentine, Chief Executive of Relationships Scotland, and Heather Lickley, Head of Network Services, received the award from Brandi Lee Lough Dennell, Assistant Policy Director of LGBT Youth Scotland.…
Read MoreLearning from MIAMs in England and making it work in Scotland
Rosanne Cubitt, Mediator and Head of Professional Practice (Mediation) Relationships Scotland is calling for more families to be made aware of mediation as an alternate route to court action and, off the back of our manifesto, we are asking for a change to the current law to make this happen We are encouraged by the…
Read MoreRelationships Scotland calls for change to outdated family law to stop kids getting caught in divorce crossfire
Relationships Scotland, the biggest provider of family and relationship support in the country, is asking the Scottish Government, charities and family law experts to back their calls to make mediation the first choice for divorcing parents to prevent thousands of kids being stuck in the middle of court action. Research shows that parental conflict…
Read MoreRelationships Scotland Manifesto
Priorities for Action People across Scotland need to be supported to cope better with key life transitions such as relationship breakdown. The Scottish Government to lead an urgent debate on how to ensure there is far greater uptake of mediation and other forms of dispute resolution as an alternative to court action in family cases.…
Read MoreStuart Valentine: Let’s help fathers to go ever farther
Recently I asked my 8 year old son his thoughts on what makes a good dad. “The best daddies are the bald daddies,” was his reply. This was a strong affirmation of his continuing affection for me as his dad, coupled with an encouraging acceptance of my advancing hairline. It was also a reminder that…
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