Scottish parenting orders likely to fail

Parenting orders will struggle to tackle antisocial behaviour in
Scotland, according to responses to the Scottish executive’s
consultation on the children’s hearing system.

Barnardo’s Scotland said parenting orders would not positively
influence parents or address the lack of voluntary parenting
support across Scotland, while the Scottish Children’s Reporter
Administration said hearings should “articulate their expectation
of parents in supervision orders” rather than resort to orders
through the sheriff court.

Under the new Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, a hearing can
recommend a sheriff grant an order for parents whose children
persistently engage in antisocial behaviour.

There is an overall consensus among respondents that the
“generalist system” of combining youth justice and a welfare
approach should be maintained.