National parenting strategy: making a positive difference to children and young people through parenting

Section 10: Turning aspiration into action

We've set out our aspiration of making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up. We have a clear understanding of how important parenting is to improving the outcomes of children and young people. Now it's time to work together to deliver.

The production of the National Parenting Strategy itself is just the start of the journey. What's required now, if we're to make a real and positive difference to Scotland's parents and in turn our nation's children, is the active involvement of all those involved in supporting parents.

There is already much good work in place but more needs to be done – much more – particularly with regards to supporting parents of older children and preparing our children and young people for future parenthood.

Going forward, we need to work together. We need our universal services in health, education and social work, our partners in the voluntary sector, our communities and Scotland's families themselves all working together to ensure that parents get the support they need to be the best that they can be.

Because that support – timely, appropriate, accessible – is one of the single most important things we can put in place to improve the health, wellbeing and long-term prospects of our children and young people, our communities and our country too. Quite simply, it's the cornerstone of a better Scotland.