The draconian feel to the messages coming from Demos described in the article on 'tough love' (Analysis, 10 December) seems very misplaced. When are we going to stop seeing parents as the problem, and 'programmes of instruction' or 'treatments' for parents as the solution? It's as if workers, far from being challenged about how they are engaging parents and sustaining parental engagement, are being encouraged to sit comfortably 'othering' parents in the community through short-term, neatly prescribed contacts.
The evidence that we have from the local authorities we work with suggests that parents experience the so-called 'evidence-based' programmes as patronising. They are left feeling very 'done to'. Attrition on such programmes is high. Where there may be some short-term gains, the long-term benefits for parents and their children from these programmes is questionable.
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