Parenting orders
From 27 February 2004 local authorities (LAs) and schools have new powers to enter into agreements with parents (parenting contracts) to address their children's behaviour and attendance at school.
What is a parenting order?
- a court order which compels a parent to attend parenting classes and to fulfil other requirements as determined necessary by the court for improving their child's behaviour
- the application is a free-standing civil application. It does not involve a criminal conviction
When can it be used?
- where a pupil has been excluded for serious misbehaviour either permanently or for the second time in 12 months
- where parenting is considered a factor in the child's behaviour and parents are unwilling to engage with LA or school
Why has it been introduced?
- recognition that parents need support and that some parents may need targeted and individualised support from schools and LAs
- some parents are unwilling or feel unable to engage voluntarily when schools/LAs raise issues over their child's behaviour
- parenting programmes help parents gain the skills and confidence they need and have proved successful in the area of youth crime with over 90 per cent of participating parents saying that they would recommend it to other parents in their situation
- helps to provide parents with the skills they need to address their child's behaviour
Next Steps
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