More support for parents

Text message and social networking internet sites will be used to support and inform parents under a new scheme launched by the government.

The £34 million initiative, ‘Parent Know-How’, will be aimed at parents who may struggle to find the help they need.

Kevin Brennan, Children’s and Families Minister, said: “Parent Know-How will help with a range of issues like reducing obesity in children and supporting the victims of bullying, through to improving educational outcomes.

“It will bring together pre-existing resources, such as parenting helplines, and create new ways for parents to get help, such as text and instant messages and establishing new social networks – websites where parents can join together to swap parenting tips and help solve each others’ problems.”