Drawing on recent thinking and writing, this seminar presents a case for a fundamental shift in the way that residential child care is conceptualised and managed. It challenges dominant views of practice improvement based around child protection, children’s rights and an expanding regulatory apparatus. It draws upon developing interest in care ethics to present a vision of residential child care with relationally based care at its heart.

Fathers and male carers, whatever their situation, are important to the development, well-being and life chances of children. Public bodies across Scotland have a legal responsibility to actively promote gender equality. Engaging positively with fathers and men as carers is an important aspect of this duty for all types of child and family service.

In 2009, Children in Scotland carried out a survey of the Gender Equality Duty activities and priorities of local authorities and NHS boards across Scotland. These one-day practice sharing events will examine the key findings of this survey and explore practical solutions to the challenges of achieving gender equality in services for children and families. The events will look at approaches used across a wide range of services, including early years, education, health and parent support.