4Children responds to leaked riot reports

Blaming the riots of last summer on bad parenting is simplistic and lets violent criminals off the hook. 80% of people who took part in the riots were over the age of 18. These were not kids that were out of control but young adults who felt they had nothing to lose. Rather than going down the old, obvious road of using parents as scapegoats we need to focus on how best to support “forgotten families” that may be struggling to keep troubled teenagers on the straight and narrow as they make the transition to adulthood – and enable them to become responsible citizens. “

 

Notes to Editors

 

About 4Children www.4Children.org.uk

4Children is the national charity all about children and families. We have spearheaded a joined-up, integrated approach to children’s services and work with a wide range of partners around the country to ensure children and families have access to the services and support they need in their communities. We run Sure Start Children’s Centres as well as family and youth services across Britain.

 

We develop, influence and shape national policy on all aspects of the lives of children, young people and families.  As the Government’s strategic partner for early years and childcare we have a crucial role in co-producing policy with the Department of Education and representing the sector’s views and experiences.  Our national campaigns, like Give Me Strength, change policy and practice and put the needs of children and families on the political and policy agenda.

 

Give Me Strength www.givemestrength.org.uk/

4Children’s current national campaign, Give Me Strength, demands more help for families to avert crises. Every year 28,000 children go into care in England. Millions more have their chances of success in later life diminished by growing up in families facing serious and multiple challenges with little or no practical help. Yet research shows us that these crises can often be prevented if the right help is available at the right time. Families tell us that this means early help as problems develop and before crisis sets in.

 

For further information, please contact:

Attila Kulcsar at attila.kulcsar@4children.org.uk or call 020 7522 6919 / 07917542464

or ilana.rapaport@4children.org.uk on 07917870641

or mark.bennett@4children.org.uk on 07967 273118

 

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