Why is the study important?

The important thing about the Growing Up in Scotland study is that it is uniquely Scottish. A lot of studies look at the UK as a whole, but this study only includes children and families in Scotland.
The study is intended to provide information in relation to a range of different areas of relevance to the lives of young children and their families, including:

• Childcare and issues relating to work/life balance
• Parenting and family life
• Child health and development
• Parental health
• Access to, awareness of and use of services for young children and families

The main aim of the study is to look at what impact Government policies have on important things like health, income and the wellbeing of children. The results from the study will help departments across the Government to:

• Be aware of the important issues facing families in Scotland today
• To develop policies which will work to address these issues
• Check that policies are working well and, if not, how they can be changed for the better

Policy makers at the Scottish Government will use findings from the study to plan services in the future, so you have a real chance to make a difference to policies affecting children in Scotland. The results of the study will enable the government to develop policies to address any issues raised, and to check that policies are working well - and if not, how they can be changed for the better. By carrying out studies like this, the government is offering you a chance to make your views count. In this way you could make a difference to policies affecting children in Scotland.

back to list of questions