Growing Up in Scotland (GUS):  Scottish Government funded study tracking the lives of two cohorts of children from across Scotland. This report draws together findings from 10 years of analysis of the GUS data to highlight how the study has contributed to the evidence base on children and families in Scotland, in particular on the extent of and how to reduce inequalities in outcomes in the early years.

It is a very clearly presented report that is easy read.

Main Findings:

Even in the early years of a child’s life, there are consistent inequalities, not only in outcomes, but particularly in risk behaviours that we believe have longer-term consequences for health and development. There is considerable inequality that mothers face in the early years. Socio-economically disadvantaged households appear to face a double burden of inequality with the child and the main carer at greater risk of negative health outcomes.

Factors that seem to promote positive outcomes:

• A rich home learning environment can improve cognitive development for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background
• High quality early learning and childcare can help to reduce inequalities in cognitive development
• Being born to an older mother makes children more resilient to a range of negative outcomes.
• Improving the physical and mental health of mothers is likely to have a positive effect on the health and development of their children.
• Supporting parenting skills can help protect against the impact of adversity and disadvantage
• The role of the health visitor, in providing one-to-one advice and support to parents, should be central in the efforts to tackle inequalities in the early years.