Councils involved in parenting class pilot revealed

By Janaki Mahadevan Monday, 17 October 2011

Parenting classes for up to 50,000 parents are to be trialled for two years in three local authorities from next summer.

Parents will be offered vouchers to pay for classes in the three areas piloting the scheme. Image: George Bosnyak

Children’s minister Sarah Teather first announced the government’s intention to trial classes for parents of children aged under five at the Liberal Democrat Party conference last month.

It has now been revealed that Middlesbrough, High Peak in Derbyshire and Camden will be undertaking the trials, chosen because they all have medium to high levels of deprivation. High Peak is already involved in a trial to increase the number of health visitors working in children's centres.

Teather said: "I want to get rid of the stigma attached to asking for help. Parenting classes aren't just for struggling families with complex problems. All parents should know it's ok to ask for extra support and guidance when they need it; just as most do when they attend antenatal classes before their child is born."

Parents will be offered vouchers to pay for classes in the three areas and organisations with a proven record of delivering parenting support will be asked to bid to run the classes.

They will cover how to promote positive behaviour with better communication and listening skills; managing conflict; the importance of parents working as a team; the appropriate play for a child’s development; understanding the importance of boundaries and routines to children; firm, fair and consistent approaches to discipline; and strengthening positive relationships in the family.

The announcement comes at the beginning of the Family and Parenting Institute's Parents' Week.

Dr Katherine Rake, chief executive of the charity, said: "Evidence shows the first five years of a child’s life help to determine their future health, educational achievement and prosperity. That’s why we welcome this attempt to introduce parenting support at such a critical time in a child’s life."

But Rake added that the government’s austerity measures may undermine its aspiration to help families. "Family and Parenting Institute research has shown families with new babies are among the hardest hit by the government’s cuts package," she said. "Free parenting classes are supportive, but other measures are causing pain."