Parenting evidence review

A PAS project reviewing evidence published in Scotland.

We know from talking to our members and others working directly with families that many parents and carers in Scotland are facing significant challenges. It might be related to the rising cost of living, the aftermath of the pandemic, poor health or other factors in their lives.

In order to help us understand the key issues, needs and priorities faced by parents and those in a parenting role in Scotland today, we like to regularly review the evidence published to show up what the key issues are.

We started this back in 2023 when we put out an invitation to tender and after a competitive tendering process, we commissioned The Lines Between to review the evidence published in 2023 in Scotland. Since then, we have also published our 2025-26 review. 

2023 Parenting Evidence Review

The 2023 review examined research with over 4000 parents and carers across 26 local authorities in Scotland, including:

• single parents,
• black or minority ethnic parents,
• disabled parents or parents with disabled children,
• refugees, 
• parents seeking asylum,
• carers,
• parents with care experience,
• parents who have had a child put into the care system,
• adoptive parents

Many of the key challenges facing those in parenting roles in the report came as no surprise to us – particularly poverty, financial insecurity, mental health, education and childcare. But they are still shocking nonetheless.

Click here to read the report>

Click here to see the infographic for the report>

2025-26 Parenting Evidence Review

The most recent review covered 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, including 26 reports which reflected the views of over 20,000 parents and carers in Scotland from 31 local authorities. Views included:

• Single parents,
• black or minority ethnic parents,
• disabled parents or parents with disabled children,
• carers,
• parents with care experience,
• parents who have had a child put into the care system
• and foster parents.

This review was important as it was published just after the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, a crucial time for us to be highlighting the key issues facing parents and carers.

You can access the 2025-26 review here>

We are heartened to have a diverse range of voices reflected in the reviews, and are aware that with intersectionality, some families will face even harsher realities than those presented. Our hope is that the final report provides a strong basis of existing knowledge for the third sector to draw on and something that we at Parenting Across Scotland can use to help influence change, our work and policy priority areas.

Thanks to Molly Rosenbaum, Lorraine Simpson and the rest of the team at The Lines Between for all their hard work in producing the report. Also, Angus Doyle for his design work on the report and infographic.