SNP MSP Rona Mackay raises the issue of parental alienation and how this could impact domestic abuse allegation.

Parental alienation is when a child rejects a parent as a result of psychological manipulation by the other parent.

Mr Maxwell accepts it is a "controversial point" but insists parental alienation must be one of the topics on the training list for those working with children.

I would refute the suggestion it would divert allegations of domestic abuse, he adds.

Image source, bbc

June Loudoun from Grandparents Apart UK says sometimes the adversarial nature of the legal system creates larger problems between a couple.

Ms Louden agrees children can pick up on a parent's anger and form their opinions based on that.

Finding out what is happening and not making it a competition would help to minimise this, she adds.

Ms Gilruth wonders about taking evidence from very young children.

Dr Whitcombe says direct questions should not be avoided, but observe the child through play and other mechanisms to understand relationships with parents.

She says a different skillset is required for this than what solicitors have.

Mr Maxwell agrees there needs to be the appropriate training for the people doing this work.

According to the Scottish government, the policy aims of the Children (Scotland) Bill, external are to:

• ensure the views of the child are heard in contact and residence cases
• further protect victims of domestic abuse and their children
• ensure the bests interests of the child are at the centre of contact and residence cases and Children’s Hearings
• further compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in family court actions.

Dr Sue Whitcombe, a chartered psychologist, focuses on the influence that can be brought to bear on children.

She says a child can give very different views in front of either parent, pointing out they can be vehemently against contact and then enjoy it later.

"We need to understand what is going on for the child."

A child learns from a very young age that it might not be acceptable to talk about another parent due to their mother or father getting upset, which will lead to their views changing she adds.

We must find out why a child does not want to see a parent as it is usually a sign of psychological distress.

SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth begins on the topic of children's participation in decisions made about them.

She seeks further information on the suggestion children may be under pressure or influenced by parents or other family members.

Ian Maxwell from Shared Parenting Scotland says children will sometimes say different things to each parent because they want to say what parents want to hear.

It is therefore important to ensure children are given proper time when collecting their views, he adds, suggesting there should be at least three meetings so the child will feel more relaxed.

Mr Maxwell adds that a child saying negative things about a parent they are not seeing must be considered "carefully" because when given time they will often be happy to have contact with that parent.

Image source, bbc

Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell welcomes:

• June Loudoun from Grandparents Apart UK, external
• Ian Maxwell from Shared Parenting Scotland, external
• Dr Sue Whitcombe, a chartered psychologist

Image source, Getty Images

Proposed new laws to improve the experience of children involved in family courts have been published by the Scottish government.

The Children (Scotland) Bill, external follows a consultation which took into account the views of young people.

Ministers say they want to ensure the justice system does not contribute to young people's distress.

Campaigners said the legislation was "vital" for child victims of domestic abuse.

The proposals are intended to update the 1995 Children Act, to reflect changes within modern families.

• Read more
• Check out last week's evidence session here

The Justice Committee will continue its scrutiny of the Children Bill, external at Stage 1 shortly.

MSPs will take evidence from:

• June Loudoun from Grandparents Apart UK, external
• Ian Maxwell from Shared Parenting Scotland, external
• Dr Sue Whitcombe, a chartered psychologist

Image source, Thinkstock

and then from:

• Stuart Valentine from Relationships Scotland, external
• Isobel Bilsland from Relationships Scotland Borders, external

• Read the committee papers here, external
• And submissions on the bill here, external

Image source, Getty Images

The Justice Committee continues its consideration of the Children Bill. This proposed legislation aims to improve children's experiences of family courts.

Topical questions will feature queries about Caledonian Sleeper complaints and primary school overcrowding.

The Scottish government will then lead a debate on how best to improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers.

Image source, Google

MSPs will then celebrate the work of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the evening's member's debate.