Together with West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) Education Scotland (ES) looked at how families access support through a variety of programmes offered in the area.

This research found learning together helped strengthen family dynamics and supported a learning culture within the family giving them a greater sense of wellbeing.

The report specifically focussed on three case studies in the area — Bonhill Primary, Y-Sort-It and also Auchnacraig Early Education Centre in neighbouring Clydebank.

Bonhill Primary was given particular praise for two iniatives — Families and Schools Together (FAST) and Fastworks.

Up to 40 families attend eight weekly sessions to take part in activities together to encourage more involvement from parents/carers in their child’s education and also improve reading, writing and maths skills. The scheme also helps to reduce social isolation amongst families who are new to the area and school.

Families involved in the FAST scheme can then move onto the Fastworks programme which is now its own constituted group and further promotes and develops the ideas behind FAST.

Y-Sort-It — a support service for young people across the area which works with WDC — was also looked at for the part it has to play in family learning in the area.

As well as providing drop-in sessions, activities and free internet access, Y-Sort-It also involved with a support group for young, future parents Young Mums 2B and its follow-on service Baby Steps.

Both groups provide a support service for young parents through advice and information, activities, peer support and improved access to education, training and employment.

Terry Lanagan, director of Educational Services at WDC, said: “We welcome the findings of the report which has highlighted our commitment to provide learning and development opportunities to support parents in West Dunbartonshire that reflect the varied needs of the families seeking help in raising their children.

“It is important for us to work with partners like Education Scotland and the Third Sector to be able to deliver services that are fit for purpose, and through our work together we were able to see how the coordination of programmes reduced duplication, improved the range of opportunities for parents and supported the progression of our families to participate in wider learning, full-time education or employment.” The report will now be shared with other local authorities and learning facilities as an example of good practice in family learning and engagement.

You can view a copy of it at www.educationscotland.gov.uk/sharingpractice/.