pounds 1m for parenting skills

PARENTS who need help to prevent family breakdown are to be given new skills and support with the aid of a pounds 1m Government grant, the health minister Paul Boateng said yesterday.

He was speaking at the Families and Early Intervention conference in London which warned that there was no "magic bullet" solution to anti- social behaviour amongst young people.

However early support for families can prevent breakdown and is not only beneficial to families and gives children a good start in life but it also saves money in the long term.

Research in Britain and America has shown that early intervention works. Projects include the Waterville Projects for Children and Young People, North Tyneside and Minsthorpe Community College, West Yorkshire.