End of My Tether is a document launched this week by children and young people's charity NCH, which claims that although parents are committed to teens with problems, they are often unable to cope.
The problems faced by parents can be tackled by improving access to support services and amending the Children's Act guidance to make it clear that family support should be provided up to the age of 18.
In conjunction with End of My Tether, a survey was carried out on parents' attitudes to housing teenagers. Research firm BMRB asked them when young people should lose the right to stay in the family home. Violence and abuse was felt to be the least acceptable behaviour, while a third thought non-contribution to family income was sufficient reason for young people to move out.
Amanda Allard, senior public policy officer at NCH, said: "Teenage years are difficult. Family support services are scarce and the thresholds for accessing services are high. We need resources to focus on families."
NCH is offering support to families through a booklet, which can be downloaded at www.nch.org.uk.
