Support for separated parents across Scotland

Every child has a right to both parents. We support families through separation with advice, training and shared parenting guidance.

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A clickable, rectangular button with the New Ways For Families Logo in the centre. The logo features a yellow arrow which starts above the words 'New Ways' and then goes to the left, curves down and around the words and then across to the right with an arrowhead at the end. Underneath this is the words For Families alongside a registered trademark logo. The logo is on a cream-white background. The bottom left and top right corner of the button feature blue triangles in the official Shared Parenting Scotland blue shade.
A clickable, rectangular button for the Love, Loss and Living training programme. The words Love, Loss and Living appear over a photo of a grassy area with trees, and the sun rising in the background. The top left and bottom right corner of the button feature blue triangles in the official Shared Parenting Scotland blue shade.
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Latest News (view all items here)

Supporting children’s right to both parents

A cutout photo of a group of 15 men and women wearing white T-shirts with the Shared Parenting Scotland logo. Some of the people hold up two white Shared Parenting Scotland flags. The flags contain the Shared Parenting Scotland logo (text in blue Gotham font with a yellow '=' sign to the left) and text underneath which says 'Because children have a right to both parents'
A clickable, rectangular button for Get Support. The wordsGet Support appear in the centre over a close-up photo of a person in a red checkered shirt placing their hand on the shoulder of a person wearing a light blue denim shirt. The bottom left and top right corner of the button feature yellow triangles in the official Shared Parenting Scotland yellow shade.
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Our Mission

Put the best interests of the

at the heart of everything we do

We put the best interests of the child at the heart of what we do by:

CAMPAIGNING for changes in law and legal procedures to support equal parenting

HELPING and supporting parents to resolve disputes and put their children first

INFORMING and educating professionals and politicians about latest research

LISTENING and providing support and assistance on our helpline

DEVELOPING a range of training programmes to assist separated parents

Our work is firmly rooted in the UN Convention of the Rights of The Child (UNCRC), specifically Articles 3 and 9. The UNCRC was incorporated in Scottish law in 2024.

A screengrab of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child Article 3. Article 3 is in capital letters in a light blue colour, followed by text that reads '(best interests of the child)' Underneath the text reads: The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.
A screengrab of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child Article 9. Article 9 is in capital letters in a light blue colour, followed by text that reads (separation from parents) Underneath the text reads: Children must not be separated from their parents against their will unless it is in their best interests (for example, if a parent is hurting or neglecting a child). Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this could cause them harm.
Slide
“Shared Parenting is a progressive, forward-thinking cultural norm that promotes gender and racial equality for all families, regardless of their configuration”
Emma Johnstone in her book “The 50:50 Solution”

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Our Training Programmes

A clickable, rectangular button with the New Ways For Families Logo in the centre. The logo features a yellow arrow which starts above the words 'New Ways' and then goes to the left, curves down and around the words and then across to the right with an arrowhead at the end. Underneath this is the words For Families alongside a registered trademark logo. The logo is on a cream-white background. The bottom left and top right corner of the button feature blue triangles in the official Shared Parenting Scotland blue shade.

New Ways For Families is a ten-module online course, with additional one-to-one coaching sessions, designed to help separated parents learn key behavioural skills so support themselves and their children through separation, which could allow you to avoid costly legal fees later on.

The course is provided and organised by Shared Parenting Scotland, operating under licence from the High Conflict Institute, and is now being run throughout the United Kingdom with our team of UK coaches. Thanks to funding from the Veterans’ Foundation the course is free for veterans and serving armed forced personnel.

A clickable, rectangular button for the Love, Loss and Living training programme. The words Love, Loss and Living appear over a photo of a grassy area with trees, and the sun rising in the background. The top left and bottom right corner of the button feature blue triangles in the official Shared Parenting Scotland blue shade.

Love, Loss and Living is an interactive, 6-week online course with additional in-person training sessions to help you understand and manage the grief of being separated from your child(ren).

Our next course will begin on 3 August 2026

Group Meetings

View our upcoming group meetings and events below

Dundee Group Meeting

Dundee Group Meeting

June 23, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Aberdeen Group Meeting

Aberdeen Group Meeting

June 24, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Edinburgh Group Meeting

Edinburgh Group Meeting

July 7, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Online Group Meeting (Zoom)

Online Group Meeting (Zoom)

July 8, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Glasgow Group Meeting

Glasgow Group Meeting

July 21, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Aberdeen Group Meeting

Aberdeen Group Meeting

July 22, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dundee Group Meeting

Dundee Group Meeting

July 28, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Love, Loss & Living Online Course (Aug-Sep Pt 1)

Love, Loss & Living Online Course (Aug-Sep Pt 1)

August 3, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Edinburgh Group Meeting

Edinburgh Group Meeting

August 4, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Shared Parenting Scotland is very grateful for the support we are currently receiving from the following funders. Click here for a full list of our funders

Scottish Government Justice Directorate
Supporting helpline running costs and to support the national roll-out of the New Ways For Families® training programme.

Children, Young People & Families Early Intervention Fund
Supporting parents to deal with family breakdown and put the welfare of their children at the heart of the process, engaging with marginalised groups of parents and increasing the awareness and understanding of professionals and decision makers on the benefits of shared parenting in Scotland and internationally

Robertson Trust
Supporting the Partnership Development and Outreach Manager’s salary and on-costs

Veterans’ Foundation
Contributing to the salary of the Veterans/Armed Forces Manager over a two-year period.