Parenting with adults
Some adults need significant ongoing support from their parents throughout their adult lives. New issues can also emerge in adulthood that means in depth parenting support is required for a limited period of time.
Current policy context
The needs of parents of adults (those aged over 18 years) are touched upon in a range of different Scottish policies and strategies including the National Parenting Strategy (2012) and National Carers Strategy (2022). However no strategy or policy in Scotland specifically addresses the needs of this group at present.
Parenting with adults still requires its own emphasis within national policy, whether that is within the National Carers Strategy, National Parenting Strategy or both.
Our policy work
Over the last six months Parenting across Scotland has been working with our members and partners to explore the topic of parenting with adult children.
In September 2024 we convened a special roundtable discussion, inviting parents and carers, members and other relevant stakeholders to explore the topic of parenting with adult children. The conversation was instigated by PAS members, who felt it was an important, yet under-explored issue.
Situations where parenting support for adults may be particularly important include:
- When an adult child has or develops a significant health condition or disability
- At times of personal bereavement or loss
- Employment, financial or housing difficulties
- Poor mental health, stress or addictions
- Becoming a parent or carer
- Being a victim of crime or abuse
- Being within the criminal justice system.
Providing support to their children with issues such as these can have a huge impact on parents and carers. Adults do not need to be living with their parents for this impact to be profound.
Parenting with adults briefing
In January 2025 we published our Parenting with Adults briefing. This briefing provides an overview of the current evidence and policy landscape relating to parenting adults, findings from this roundtable discussion and key recommendations for how the needs of this parent group could be better met at policy and practice levels. The briefing and its recommendations are supported by the following organisations:
- Aberlour
- Carers Trust Scotland
- Contact
- The Donaldson Trust
- Families Outside
- The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
- One Parent Families Scotland
- Scottish Autism
- Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.
PAS extends our grateful thanks to the organisations, parents and carers who took part in the roundtable discussion and shared their experiences.
You can read the briefing here >>
We are currently working to share this briefing with decision makers and shapers.
