In addition to significant support for families in the early years, the Government continues to support families of teenagers through:
- a range of free online and telephone advice services;
- funding to councils that can be used to support parents;
- a specific programme to turn around the lives of the 120,000 most troubled families by the end of this Parliament.
Parents, carers and families have the primary responsibility and influence to nurture young people through to adulthood.
Nearly all parents find parenting teenagers difficult at times. They need to feel society and public authorities support their efforts to take responsibility for their teenage children, transmit positive values to them, and set appropriate boundaries.
Parents need to know where to go for advice and help if they are worried or having problems.
Services for young people need to support families while respecting and nurturing young people’s growing sense of independence and personal responsibility.
Many charities, faith groups and other voluntary and community organisations play a significant role in supporting families, for example through parenting classes.
