Government and Parenting - Is There a Case for a Policy Review and Parents' Code? (Paperback)

Despite the Government's commitment to parenting in its social exclusion and criminal justice agendas, a growth in family initiatives and a wide range of government departments concerned with the development of family policy, there is no overarching statement setting out the government's expectations of parents, or about the relationship that should pertain between state and parents in supporting children. This report questions whether these different government perspectives, which include some ambiguities as well as common themes, can be drawn together into a coherent statement about the role of parents. It considers how those perceptions are conveyed to parents, services and the wider public and includes a review of the documentation relating to the period of the present government's administration. The report also examines current legislation, government strategy and initiatives, ministerial speeches and other relevant government documentation. It identifies serious gaps and ambiguities in the Government's current strategy, suggesting ways in which government messages about parenting might effectively be conveyed to parents and supporting services. This comprehensive review feeds the debate as to how the variety of indications about the role of parenting in different pieces of legislation, discussion documents and other communications might be synthesised into a strategic policy statement and possibly incorporated into legislation.