Councils not ready for parenting orders
Newspaper survey reveals lack of strategy as Act comes into force
Local authorities in Scotland have no clear strategy for the new legislation on parenting orders, according to the Herald newspaper today.
The provisions, a controversial part of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004, came into force yesterday, require parents to accept support from their council if they have "deliberately or recklessly" failed their children. Councils and children's panels have the power to apply for parenting orders, breach of which could result in a fine or prison sentence.
However the paper claims that having contacted Scotland's 32 councils, most of them do not yet have any formal policy for implementing the Act.
The Executive has provided £3 million in funding for the initial pilot phase, but a number of councils are reported to have no plans in place to provide extra services.
Children's agencies have criticised the orders as likely to put parents off seeking help. The Executive maintains that the commencement date was announced well in advance and authorities have had time to prepare.
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