New powers to tackle truancy and misbehaviour in schools, and criminal and anti-social behaviour on the streets are available.
Parenting contracts, parenting orders and penalty notices contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 will expand the range of options available to offer support to help parents change the anti-social behaviour of their children, or sanctions where appropriate, the Govrenment says.
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Voluntary parenting contracts will provide help such as counselling or parenting classes for parents who face specific problems with their child’s school attendance or anti-social behaviour to support them in changing their child’s behaviour. Parenting orders through the Magistrates’ Courts will provide a legally enforceable alternative to parenting contracts for the small minority of parents who are unwilling to make the effort to improve their child’s behaviour. Fines of up to £1000 will be levied for a breach of the contract. Penalty notices of up to £100 will be available as an alternative to prosecution for parents who do not take responsibility for securing their child’s regular attendance at school.
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What they say
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Education Minister Ivan Lewis said: ‘Children have a fundamental right to an education, and parents must play their part in supporting the schools by ensuring that their child attends school regularly and behaves well. While the vast majority of parents carry out this responsibility effectively, it is a sad fact that a minority do not. Half of all truants apprehended by police in truancy sweeps are accompanied by their parents. Where parents are unable to fulfil their responsibilities, parenting contracts will provide them with the professional support they need and focus on what needs to be done to improve their child’s attendance or behaviour. However, where parents are simply unwilling to fulfil their responsibilities, it must be right that society demands legal sanctions, and penalty notices for truancy will provide due accountability.’ Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: ‘Strong families are the foundations of strong communities. Parents have a critical role in teaching children the difference between right and wrong. The vast majority of parents take their responsibilities seriously ‘ but too many do not and these parents must face up to their responsibilities for the good of their children and the benefit of the wider community. Parents sometimes need extra support to give them the skills and confidence to address their children’s behaviour problems and the Government wants to provide that help to families where they need it. These measures are a balanced package of support and sanctions to reinforce parental responsibility to make sure their children aren’t committing anti social behaviour and are regularly attending school. But where parents will not take the support on offer, the Government will take action. We have a duty to protect the law abiding majority against those who are making their life a misery. It is right that we become involved in family matters when it impinges on the safety and peace of a community. Parenting orders and contracts are not intended to punish parents, but to reinforce their responsibility and give them support. Parents across the country have already greatly benefited from them, today’s measures allow us to expand that provision even further.’
