Jake Richards, the youth justice minister for England and Wales, proposed expanding parenting orders that can force parents or guardians to address their child’s behavior through counseling or face fines up to £1,000. In extreme cases, parents could be jailed under judges’ discretion, as part of what Richards describes as a "carrot-and-stick" approach. Critics like Nikki Rutter from Durham University argue that such measures are ineffective and exacerbate poverty, while government statistics show a decline in the use of parenting orders over recent years.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The UK government is considering reforms to its youth justice system that would allow parents of children who commit crimes to face serious consequences, including losing benefits or facing prison sentences, according to Youth Justice Minister Jake Richards. This proposal follows Phase One of the Southport Inquiry report, which highlighted significant failures by both parents and agencies in preventing a series of child murders in 2024. The government plans to strengthen Parenting Orders, allowing them to compel parents or guardians to address their children's behavior through counseling sessions or risk facing fines up to £1,000. Prison sentences would only be imposed in the most severe cases and at a judge’s discretion as part of what Richards describes as a "carrot-and-stick" approach aimed at increasing parental involvement in addressing youth crime. Critics argue that such measures might not effectively address underlying issues contributing to juvenile delinquency.
Written for “Parents Jailed For Child Crimes” on 2026-10-04,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Parents whose children commit crimes could lose their benefits, face fines and even be jailed, a minister has said.
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minister → commit → fines
Jake Richards said the youth justice system “should hold parents to account in a proportionate way for ensuring that they play their role in keeping communities safe”.
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they → say → communities
His comments come after the government set out plans to strengthen and expand parenting orders, which can force parents or guardians to address their child’s behaviour by attending counselling sessions, which can even include residential courses, or face a fine of up to £1,000.
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which → come → 1,000
Richards, the youth justice minster, said parents would only face jail “in the most extreme cases” and sentences would be up to judges’ discretion.
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sentences → say → discretion
He described the proposed changes in England and Wales as part of a “carrot-and-stick” approach.
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He → describe → approach
“Parenting orders are going to make sure that parents are more involved in the process by which we try to turn around young offenders,” Richards told the Times.
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Richards → parent → Times
“Yes, that will have some stick.
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that → have → stick
But we want them to be more involved and that comes with responsibilities as well.”
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that → want → responsibilities
Many experts in the criminal justice system have criticised the proposals and say the orders are not effective and penalise the poor.
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orders → criticise → poor
In July, Nikki Rutter, an assistant professor in the department of sociology at Durham University, who specialises in child behaviour, told the BBC that “we have a huge amount of evidence that parenting orders aren’t effective.
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orders → specialise → evidence
It’s why we’re seeing the decrease in them.
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we → ’ → them
The police know these are not effective measures.”
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these → know → ?
Rutter added that increasing fines would have a detrimental effect on communities.
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increasing → add → communities
“Poverty is inextricably linked to a lot of criminal activity.
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Poverty → link → activity
The more you’re fining parents, the less money they’ve got.
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they → fin → money
The less money the family have, we’re seeing a further dive into poverty.”
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we → have → poverty
In May, the then justice secretary, David Lammy, said strengthening parenting orders would mean “there are real consequences for parents and carers who wilfully fail to support efforts to address their children’s behaviour”.
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who → say → behaviour
He told BBC Breakfast at the time that if a parent was struggling, then the “judge can intervene to make sure that the young person is getting the support that they need and the parent is doing the best that they can”.
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they → tell → best
He also said he expected the power to jail parents to be used “very, very rarely”.
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power → say → parents
Courts are required to consider issuing a parenting order where a child under 16 has been convicted of an offence.
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child → require → offence
They can also consider an order for 16- and 17-year-olds if they believe this would help prevent further offences.
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this → consider → offences
The term of the order must not exceed 12 months and breach of a parenting order is a criminal offence with a maximum £1,000 fine, according to the sentencing council.
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breach → exceed → council
However, government statistics show the use of parenting orders has declined in recent years, from more than 1,000 orders in 2009/10 to just 33 in 2022/23.
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use → show → 2022/23
The report went on to argue that a parent’s engagement in support should remain voluntary.
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engagement → go → support
The Aporia
