Poor parenting main cause of criminal behaviour, says Casey

9 Nov 06
Local authorities, central government and parents must broaden their sights in the fight against antisocial behaviour and focus on prevention as well as punishment, Whitehall's 'respect' czar demanded this week.

10 November 2006

Local authorities, central government and parents must broaden their sights in the fight against antisocial behaviour and focus on prevention as well as punishment, Whitehall's 'respect' czar demanded this week.

Following further criticism of the government's reactive antisocial behaviour tools, Louise Casey called for an equal emphasis on preventative measures – in particular on tackling bad parenting.

She told a gathering of the Public Management and Policy Association on November 7 that 'evidence shows that poor parenting is the major driver in criminal behaviour'.

'Of course, other things matter, but if we can get parenting right – and the good news is that we can teach it – then we can make a very significant difference to the future of those kids and communities,' she said.

Casey added that public bodies should play a part in improving parenting. She drew on evidence of successful parent-support projects in Australia and the US, which tackled difficulties among young parents and those with mental health problems.

'We want to see these courses available for parents who are finding it hard to cope and for those who are reluctant to see they need help. [It] needs to be way higher up the list of services available in our communities.'

Launching 50 'family intervention pilot projects', Casey challenged Whitehall, councils and voluntary providers to tackle 'the worst [offenders] first.'

And she made it clear that the government could compel more parents to attend courses if they cannot help themselves. 'I'm entirely comfortable with getting people to go to those classes whether they like it or not,' she warned.

Practitioners in the audience estimated that effective local parenting projects would cost around £10,000 each; cash that could be freed from existing or new budgets.

Casey warned that, despite these plans, there would be no respite in the use of enforcement tools such as antisocial behaviour orders.

PFnov2006

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