Smith plans problem family intervention

Jacqui Smith has said that the state should intervene more robustly in the lives of problem families to prevent young people offending.

In an interview with Friday's Times newspaper, the home secretary said that children as young as five will be identified as being at risk of becoming criminals and given additional support.

She believes a stronger approach can help prevent young people from difficult backgrounds drifting into anti-social behaviour and crime.

Parents who fail to look after their children properly would have to sign contracts forcing them to exercise control, she said. 

Smith said: "I believe it is about identifying families in which you are going to intervene at an early stage, where you will expect certain behaviour and if that does not happen there will be sanctions."

Family intervention projects that teach basic parenting skills had been a success Smith said, adding: "We need to see more of that."

Rejecting the charge that the plans smack of the "nanny state" she said: "It is part of the role of government not to wait till crime has been committed but, for the good of the wider community and the families themselves, to step in earlier when it is obvious to all agencies that this is the type of situation that can end in tragedy."
 
First anti-social behaviour orders given to children should be accompanied by a parenting order, Smith said.

"If an under-18 is caught on the streets with alcohol, their parents should be involved the first time that happens," the home secretary added.

Smith also warned the drinks industry that action is imminent to require it to enforce responsible standards on alcohol consumption.

Codes of conduct on cheap alcohol promotions in bars could be strengthened, with Smith saying: "We need to see whether there are elements we need to consider making mandatory."