David Cameron sets out Conservative policies for supporting parents

Peter Cuthbertson
11 January 2010

Today David Cameron addressed the think tank Demos at an event attended by Chelgate. In his speech, the Conservative leader argued that “the most important influence on the character we grow into is the family we grow up in… the parenting that children receive”.

Cameron went on to set out his commitments to support parents. These include a right to request flexible leave for parents of children younger than eighteen, Flexible Parental Leave “meaning both parents can share the responsibilities of caring for a new baby” and an increase in the number of Sure Start health visitors by 4,200.

Of the Sure Start visitors, Cameron said:
“Politicians are the ones who take taxpayers’ money and write billions of pounds worth of cheques to deal with educational failure, crime, anti-social behaviour. So I think politicians have a responsibility – to the taxpayer and to society – to do what we can to bring these costs down. And that means looking at the evidence, recognising that parenting has a massive part to play, and doing something about it.

“Our Sure Start health visitors will have a vital role here. The substantial increase in the number of health visitors will mean that families get more support - from properly trained professionals. Health visitors will be able to spend time with families, have the opportunity to spot parenting issues, and build the trusted relationships needed to help with them. For instance, if they feel a mother is not bonding with her baby, and recognise the cause as post-natal depression, they might gently recommend that she visit her GP, or steer her towards a local counsellor.”

Cameron also announced what he called a "new generation" of Sure Start "We know what works in terms of parenting interventions - the research has been done by the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners and others. They have identified models with proven success - from family nurse partnerships, an intensive programme for vulnerable first-time parents that ends when the child is two to parenting support groups for parents with learning difficulties.

"So we'll invite independent organisations that have a proven track record in these areas - like Lifeline and 4Children and Homestart and contract them to run children's centres and reach out to dysfunctional and disadvantaged local families. They will then be paid - at least in part - according to the results they achieve."