Discussion 4: Evidence gaps: What do we want/need to know?

Key points from discussion

• Important not to generalise
• Statistics can hide issues
• Need more qualitative research

Q1. What further information needs to be gathered about families in Scotland?

Priority! In work poverty - working families still in poverty

• part time work
• low paid work
• zero hours contracts

Q2. What more information do we need to support families affected by disability, families affected by imprisonment, blended families?

• Families affected by imprisonment - half of all prisoners have children   
  • What support do they need
  • Where are the children?
  • What % of prisoners maintain contact?
  • What is the impact on children?
• Cohabitation - can't rely on marriage/divorce figures for information on relationships
• Relation support - why is it 5 years for cohabiting couple and 10 years for married couple? Qualitative research required
• Blended families - important not to generalise the statistics
• Same sex couples
• Young carers - more about children caring for a parent, what is the service provision for these children?
• Parents with a disability or mental health problem - is there a greater chance of children being 'looked after'?
• Families affected by disability - accessibility of services including rural areas, transport is key
• Issues relating to transition to 'adult' services - drop off in services