Frank Field: Think seriously about learning parenting skills in schools

Apr 4 2012 by Val Woan, Birkenhead News

The Duchess of Cornwall visits the Tranmere Community Project this week. The purpose is to see at first hand the innovatory work the centre is undertaking.

How can we ensure that very young mums and dads build the best possible world for their child?

For children the best start in life requires two parents.

That is why this project attaches such importance with the young dads.

Their absence has a big effect on their child's life chances.

It also is likely to have a big effect on them, their feelings about themselves and how they are to build successful lives. But I guess many of you are thinking as to whether it is sometimes too early to be a mum.

You are right and some of the young mums are going into schools with this message.

The Duchess has come to Birkenhead because she is genuinely interested to learn more about this work but also she is very committed to what happens to children in the first years of their life.

She knows how important they are. Which grandmother does not?

So the visit throws up a challenge to Birkenhead and to the entire country.

We need to think much more seriously about young people learning about parenting in schools and also to ensure that all the services we pay for as taxpayers are wrapped around young people and their needs.

Here’s a totally new agenda and I hope to report to you soon on a number of path breaking initiatives.