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xChildren with co-parents disadvantaged by policies of majority of Scottish councils
Date: 1st May 2026
Category:
Family support, Education, including vocational education
Together member Shared Parenting Scotland warns that many local authorities are disadvantaging children who live across two homes by refusing them access to Assistance with Travel to School schemes.
Freedom of Information requests submitted in late 2025 revealed that more than half of Scottish councils either reject applications from a child’s second address or impose conditions many families cannot meet.
Fifteen councils operate a strict “one address only” rule, disregarding situations where children spend equal or significant time with each parent. A further seven apply restrictive or “discretionary” criteria, often requiring a court order, despite Scottish Government guidance encouraging parents to resolve arrangements without going to court. Only eight councils currently have policies that fully recognise shared parenting.
Families say the impact is real and unfair. One father described starting the school run “at a crazy time” to avoid his child being late. Another said he regularly drives behind the school bus his daughter’s classmates use, while she is barred from boarding.
Shared Parenting Scotland Chief Executive Kevin Kane says many policies are “out of date and out of touch” with modern family life. Following the charity’s lobbying, Scottish Government guidelines were updated last year to require councils to consider shared parenting arrangements for the first time.
The charity warns that restrictive policies can even undermine co‑parenting stability, with teenagers opting to stay with the parent whose address qualifies for school transport simply to avoid early mornings.
Despite the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 requiring all public bodies to apply a children’s rights approach, Shared Parenting Scotland found no council had reviewed its school travel policy through this lens.
Shared Parenting Scotland is calling on the next Scottish Parliament to remove “embedded disincentives to shared parenting” and ensure all children receive equal support, regardless of which parent they stay with.