Riots, Communities and Victims Panel

Lord Northbourne Excerpts

Tuesday 16th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, as I indicated, we are supporting the creation of new youth centres through Myplace money. I emphasised that it was absolutely vital that people who were responsible for young people and had an effect on them should help them build resilience and character. That is a major part of the report to which the noble Baroness, Lady Sherlock, and my noble friend Lady Tyler referred. It demonstrates that even within the same school there are some children who can develop that character, leadership and resilience against actions such as the riots, and some who cannot. I accept the point of the right reverend Prelate about the need to have youth services. We are funding them.

[Lord Northbourne]

Is the noble Baroness satisfied that maintained secondary schools—and all secondary schools—are doing as much as should be done to stimulate character and resilience in pupils, which they have the opportunity to do when the pupils are at school?

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, the aim of the Department for Education is that all schools should create a framework to enable teachers to take control of a classroom. That includes taking control of the behaviour of young people and being able to influence how they grow up, against a framework and parameters. I mentioned the parenting classes that are being set up. The noble Lord, with all his experience, will understand that that is a great step forward for the future.