Guide to the law about physically punishing a child

Being a parent or carer is never easy. One minute you’re having a lovely moment and the next they’re crying and shouting. We all know that physically punishing children doesn’t improve their behaviour, and it can ruin the relationship between the child and their carer as well. That’s why in Scotland it’s illegal to physically punish a child. Here you can find out more about the Children (Equal Protection From Assault) (Scotland) Act and what it might mean for you.

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What the law says

It’s been illegal to physically punish a child in Scotland since 2020. Physical punishment can mean different things like:

smacking
skelping
hitting
slapping.

This ensures that children are protected in the same way as adults are.

Tips for dealing with children's behaviour

We all have moments when our kids press our buttons, so what can we do?

Parent Club is here to help support you through the ups and downs of being a parent – including those times when it’s hard to keep our cool. In our behaviour section we have lots of positive parenting tips to deal with the behaviour of children of all ages, and advice to help you all stay calm and enjoy a less stressful household:

Find out more

You can find out more about the Children (Equal Protection from Assault (Scotland) Act 2019 law on the Scottish Government website.

Our Family Support Directory has links to other sources of support and information you can access.

We know it can be good to talk if you’re worried about something. You can call Children First's support line on 08000 28 22 23 or you can chat to them online. These are free services available every day of the year.