Parents in Telford & Wrekin are to be offered lessons on how to raise their children under new plans unveiled today.

The move is part of a bid by council chiefs to improve parenting skills across the borough. Those whose children misbehave would be “encouraged” to attend parenting workshops, though the sessions will be open to others.

Plans also include a phone advice line and debt counselling for children and young people up to the age of 19.

It comes as it was revealed that Telford & Wrekin has the highest proportion of divorcees in the West Midlands. Borough council leaders will now be asked to back the Parenting And Family Support Strategy report at their cabinet meeting on January 14. It says parenting is crucial to raising children and must be learned from the mother’s and father’s own experience.

But it says the council should provide a range of services and it is hoped that improving parenting will help children develop and cut anti-social behaviour.

Measures will include “high-quality evidence-based parenting programmes (which) will be widely promoted”.

Those who social workers think would benefit will be encouraged to attend.

The report says: “There will be a clear strategy to engage with parents of children with behaviour difficulties at the earliest signs of problems arising.”

The report by social care chiefs also outlines the state of families in Telford & Wrekin, which has the highest divorce rate in the West Midlands with 12 per cent of people – 14,804 – divorced or separated, compared to 10.6 per cent nationally.

The parenting plan states: “Being a parent is probably one of the hardest jobs to do well, especially when faced with limited extended support networks in which to share the relentless 24-hour role.”

Councillor Stephen Burrell, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This strategy aims to be proactive in providing families across the borough with a wide range of services and information so that parents know exactly where to turn in their local community if they need advice.

“It is not a ‘how to’ manual to become the ideal parent – it aims to help parents provide the best possible start in life for their children.”

Telford parents factfile:

• There are 37,453 parents aged between 16 and 74.
• Nearly eight per cent are single parents -nationally it is 6.5.
• Twelve per cent of adults are divorced or separated.
• It is estimated there are 338 teenage parents – half are aged 19.
• Telford has four per cent more “income deprived” families than average.
• Sixteen per cent of homes with children do not have a car or van.
• Eighty-one neglected children are on the protection register.
• Children and young people make up a quarterof borough residents.