Parents
We work with the parents or carers of young offenders and with
other family members, such as their siblings, who may be at risk of
offending. Much of this work is through the Youth Inclusion and Support Panels but some
result from the imposition of court orders.
We run voluntary parenting programmes, either stand-alone or as
part of other projects, to help parents improve their skills in
dealing with their children’s behaviour and thereby reduces
the risk of offending or re-offending. The programmes give parents
and carers individual advice and practical support in handling the
behaviour of their children, setting appropriate boundaries and
improving communication.
We run intensive Family Intervention projects in Dartford,
Maidstone and Thanet and work closely with Kent Education’s
Parenting Co-ordinators.
Improving the parenting skills of parents and carers has been
shown to be very successful in reducing the risk of young people
offending or re-offending and also helps to prevent younger
siblings being drawn into offending.
If we think that young people and their families would benefit
from a parenting programme, but the parents or carers are not
willing to take part, we can apply to the courts for a Parenting
Order which compels the parents/carers of a child at risk to
attend.
Find out more about:
There is more information for
parents and carers on the Youth Justice Board's website.