Childcare recruitment plea heard

More men are needed to work with children

Men have been urged to consider working in Scotland's childcare sector.

A conference in Paisley heard calls for an end to the gender imbalance that exists because caring for children is considered women's work.

The "dire shortage" of men willing to work in the child and youth care sector was discussed at the event.

Major players in the field gathered at the conference in a bid to tackle the perception that caring simply is not men's work.

The one-day conference was organised by Children in Scotland in association with the Kibble Care and Education Centre.

The "Men Can Care" event heard from speakers including Morag Alexander, convener of the Scottish Social Services Council, Brian Cavanagh, chairman of Lothian Health Board and Mark Smith, lecturer at Strathclyde University's department of social work.

'Raise awareness'

A debate was arranged on the best ways of encouraging more men to consider it as a career path in a bid to end the gender imbalance.

Delegates also heard how men can provide a positive role model, particularly for boys with behavioural problems.

Experts said some progress is being made. A recent recruitment drive saw 90% of 32 male students gain childcare qualifications.

However, campaigners said many more must follow if true change is to take place and they have called for some action to be taken at a national level.

Neil McMillan, project manager of Kibble's Men Can Care project, said: "Children undoubtedly benefit from having positive male role models and that is why it is crucial for more men to work in this sector.

"We have to address the problems of recruiting men to work with young people and overcome the inaccurate perception that it's not a 'man's job'."

Children in Scotland is a national agency for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals working with children and their families.

A spokesman said: "The conference will raise awareness of the issue contributing to the problem of gender imbalance, exchange models of good practice which promote, encourage and support greater involvement of men and debate ways forward to implement change at a national level."