By JOSIE CLARKE social issues reporter
Parents of young criminals could face compulsory training, if a programme being tested in Britain proves successful.
Chief Youth Court Judge David Carruthers is interested in the programme, which includes lessons for parents of troubled teenagers, as a way of fighting crime.
Youth court judges in Britain and Wales are testing a parenting order that sends parents to lessons on how to set and reinforce behaviour standards and how to respond to teenagers who have gone off the rails.
Judge Carruthers said the British programme was still in the evaluation stages. But if it worked, a ministerial task force on youth crime, which he headed, could look at it as one way to tackle youth crime in New Zealand.
Courts here did not have the power to direct parents to undergo any counselling or guidance, although sometimes it was agreed to as part of a family group conference.
"I think [compulsory training] is a really good idea as part of a response, which is never going to be simple, for complicated families," said Judge Carruthers.
He said the ministerial task force was also investigating the possibility of making compulsory treatment orders for drug and alcohol-addicted youngsters.
It is due to report to Justice Minister Phil Goff at the end of the year.
Barnardos chief executive Ian Calder, who has discussed the British programme with its founders, said many initially reluctant parents had asked for their courses to be extended. Many professionals had doubted the programme would work, but evidence showed it was successful and parents were volunteering to sign up.
Mr Calder understood the courses ran for two hours a week over two months.
Professionals, including teachers and social workers, helped parents understand the problems they were having with their teenagers and how to find solutions.
The parents of youngsters judged to be out of parental control would be eligible for the order, said Mr Calder.
"This is for the kids who are out drinking late at night, roaming the streets, involved in petty theft or causing a disturbance - that type of loutish behaviour."
The executive director of the Pacific Foundation for Health, Education and Parent Support, Lesley Max, agreed that more help should be available for parents.
"Many parents, if not all, need extra help, guidance and suggestions."
Troubled teens' parents may face counselling
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