A report on children’s wellbeing in Scotland is to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament by the the Rt Rev David Lunan, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly.

The report by the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland will be introduced in summarised form by Mr Lunan on January 28, as part of the Moderator’s official engagements at Holyrood, before being discussed in full by the General Assembly in May.

Entitled “Growing up in Scotland Today”, the council’s report will emphasise the need for the church to work in partnership with politicians and other agencies to create ways to encourage and offer support to people fostering or adopting a child.

The report also includes recommendations to the SNP administration in Scotland and Labour at Westminster, on dealing with issues affecting children and young people from crime and anti-social behaviour to ending child poverty and exploitation.

The Rev Ian Galloway, Convenor of the Church and Society Council, said: “Children are not rugged individuals. They rely on adults they know and on the thousands more who make decisions everyday that affects their wellbeing.

“All of us, whether we acknowledge it or not, are responsible for choosing whether our children are raised in a nation that doesn’t just espouse family values but values families and children.

“The most crucial work to help our children is done quietly, in our homes, our schools, our neighbourhoods and our parishes. No government can love a child and no policy can substitute for a family’s care. The needs of our children today are no less a priority than the future of our banks.”