Parenting support should be a positive response not a punishment

Reed says Labour will help parents "take responsibility for the behaviour of their own children". 

The premise behind this policy seems well intentioned - evidence-based parenting programmes improve the parent-child relationship, children’s behaviour and social development. However, it is also fraught with risk. Associating parenting programmes too closely with crime is likely to push more parents away from seeking help, rather than as something that is healthy, normal and desirable to engage with.

By singling out parents of repeat young offenders, as Labour have suggested, the danger is parenting programmes will be marked out as being for parents who have ‘failed’. Parenting is tough, and parents need more support - the impact of the pandemic is still being felt, and the cost of living crisis is presenting families with new challenges. NHS digital reports that one in six children have a mental health condition and there has been a 39 per cent rise in referrals for mental health treatment. We cannot afford to let distrust and stigma put off parents who might benefit greatly from proven-to-work programmes.