A trial of the Government’s ‘Can Parent’ scheme will see mothers and fathers with young children living in Camden, Middlesborough, and High Peak in Derbyshire, offered £100 vouchers, redeemable for parenting classes at selected Boots stores.
The £100 vouchers will entitle parents to two ten-hour parenting lessons run by independent organisations, such as the National Childbirth Trust, Netmums and teh Montessori Schools Association.
Lessons are thought to cover how to communicate better with children, encourage good behaviour, and stress the importance of the mother and father working as a team.
Ministers hope that using a high street store to distribute the vouchers will encourage a bigger take-up of the scheme.
Vouchers will also be available through early years settings, children’s centres, midwives and health visitors.
A Downing Street official, said, ‘We want parenting classes to become as normal as attending an ante-natal class, as huge numbers of couples already do.
'We want ordinary, decent people who struggle to cope with the everyday problems of bringing up children to take part.'
A spoksesperson for Boots said, ‘As an active member of the local communities it serves, Boots offers a range of professional healthcare information, advice, products and services for customers of all ages including this latest support available for parents of young children.’
Speaking about the trial in October last year, children’s minister Sarah Teather, said, ‘I want to get rid of the stigma attached to asking for help. Parenting classes aren't just for struggling families with complex problems. All parents should know it's ok to ask for extra support and guidance when they need it – just as most do when they attend ante-natal classes before their child is born.’
Commenting on the parenting vouchers, Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said, 'This is a unique opportunity to make parenting classes just as acceptable as ante-natal classes are in pregnancy. Parents have consistently called for greater support in this area and it should not be seen as a stigma or an admission of failure to attend parenting classes – it should be a norm.'
'Over the next two years we have the potential to ensure that the classes are well targeted and high quality and as a partner within the roll out we will be pressing for classes being available for all parents in due course.'
'These classes will not, of course solve all problems for parents and there remains a pressing need for more help parents who are struggling to make ends meet at this difficult time.'
