Background Creating Loving Relationships, attracted over 140 participants from across the range of professions connected to children, young people, families and parenting whether as researchers, policy makers or practitioners.
Conference overview The recurring theme of the conference can be summed up as 'love is a policy issue'. The conference looked at relationships in their widest form - including participants' own as individuals and with families - and that was challenging at times. Linda Dunion gives an overview.
Introduction Fiona McLeod introduced the conference commenting that she is in post because the Minister is on maternity leave; a practical demonstration of the Scottish Government's commitment to supporting all parents in any position.
Our human need for love Suzanne Zeedyk argued that implementing the lessons of the science depends more on moving our hearts than on convincing our heads. She recounted various stories to get participants to think personally about her argument, and, as she admitted, feel uncomfortable about practice.
New knowledge about the adolescent brain Researchers are gathering new information about the adolescent brain, but is this any use for parents or practitioners? John Coleman outlined the past five years of research, and explored how this can be made relevant to parents, carers and professionals.
A reversal of misfortune Drawing on a review of the links between personal relationships and poverty and an evaluation of relationship support interventions Judy Corlyon looked at how the stress caused to family relationships can cause poverty and how intergenerational support can help combat it.
Challenging the inverse care law How do we ensure that parenting support is offered and taken up in proportion to need? Can we create a happy marriage of universal and targeted provision when resources are limited? In this talk, Phil Wilson illustrated the issues through examples of different approaches tried in Glasgow.
It's relationships, that's all, relationships The communities which thrive are the ones where people are connected and involved and that's about relationships. John Carnochan talked about his experience of getting things done; challenging what is seen as 'normal'; and said that it is people and relationships which make everything possible.
Workshop themes Workshop themes were: Thinking about what love looks like for professionals; Exploring effective relationship approaches to supporting young people and their families; Where's dad?; Domestic abuse and mothering; Exploring the importance of peer support and appropriate return-to-work services; Unravelling complex relationships
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