David Blunkett has warned "dysfunctional" families that the government will not allow them to disrupt their communities.

Speaking at a conference in Nottingham on Friday, the home secretary highlighted the role that families and parents play in creating strong communities.

Forum Response: Barnardo's

A spokesman for Barnardo's told ePolitix.com: "Barnardo's welcomes the extra support being offered to families through extra funding for Home Start and the government's proposal to establish a website offering advice and information to parents, but we remain concerned about the home secretary's proposals for tackling anti-social behaviour.

"We do not condone or make light of the distress and damage that is caused in some communities by severe anti-social behaviour and share the government's concern about the way in which some disadvantaged communities can be drawn into a downward spiral in quality of life. However, we feel that using labels such as 'dysfunctional families' encourages a culture where problems in community life are blamed on individuals and individual families rather than addressed by supporting the community as a whole.

"The proposed use of intensive fostering is of particular concern. Barnardo's believes that decisions to remove children and young people from their home should always be rooted in the principles of the Children Act and based on a comprehensive assessment of risks to the child or to others.

"The government appears to be assuming that anti-social behaviour in children and young people is a sign of poor parenting, when in fact this may not be the case. Removing children from families where they have positive relationships is likely to cause harm and a possible increase in any anti-social behaviour.

"Likewise, while Barnardo's supports the idea that families should be supported to address their behaviour where this is causing distress in the community, we feel that removing families to residential centres is likely to be ineffective. Problems around anti-social behaviour need to be addressed by supporting the development of positive community relations rather than targeting and stigmatising specific families.

"Barnardo's is concerned that some of these proposals will further marginalise vulnerable children and young people and may increase the numbers of children and young people being taken into the care and custody system."