30th April 2026
For the first time, a Parents’ Charter for Scotland has been launched by parents’ organisation Connect. Capturing the hopes, ideas and calls to action of thousands of parents and carers in the country to improve the education and well-being for all our children, the Charter is the result of Connect's extensive interactions with parents and carers over the last five years. Compiling the Charter from parent/carer surveys, focus groups, advice services, online events and daily contact with parents and education partners, Connect is calling on parents, carers, politicians, policy-makers and educationalists to sign the Charter to show support for parents’ priorities.
Gavin Yates, Executive Director of Connect, said:
‘For too long the views of parents and carers have not been given the weight they deserve in improving opportunities for our children. Scotland’s mums, dads, and carers are the champions of, and advocates for, their children. They are the primary providers and first educators of their children and they are taxpayers too! Their voices must be heard. We urge everyone to sign up to support the Charter.
With over 70 calls for action and improvement, we know that parents and carers will have more to contribute and more to say – we welcome this and are happy to acknowledge that the Charter is a moving project. This Charter aims to amplify parents' voices. If you support what parents have to say, and their calls for change, please sign this Charter and join our campaign for a better future for all of Scotland’s children.
Connect will continue in its mission to hear and put forward the range and diversity of parents’ experiences and views – we encourage all education partners in schools, local authorities, education organisations and Scottish Government to do the same! As one parent commented in a survey, ‘We are all in this together and parents' experience should be valued and sought out.’
Please sign up here to support the Charter!