Parenting Orders
Details
Parenting orders introduced through the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 can be used to deal with parents who deliberately or recklessly fail their children – whether on welfare grounds or by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent their child from committing crime or antisocial behaviour.Parenting orders are civil orders, but breaking the order is a criminal offence.
Either the Council or the principal reporter to the children’s panel canapply to the sheriff court for a parenting order if:
a) the child has been involved in antisocial behaviour and the orderis to prevent further antisocial behaviour;
or
b) the child has been involved in crime and the order is needed to prevent further criminal behaviour.
The principal reporter can apply if making an order is in the interests of improvingthe welfare of the child.
The court will consider the views of the child. It will also consider whether, and to what extent, the parent has taken voluntary steps to prevent the childfrom getting involved in crime or antisocial behaviour.
The order will last for 12 months unless it is extended. As far as possible, thecourt will try to make sure that the order does not conflict with the parent’sreligious beliefs, nor interfere with times they normally go to work. Under theorder, the parent will normally have to receive counselling or guidance for upto three months.
Breaking an order will be a criminal offence and can be punished by a fine(not more than £1000). If this fine is not paid, a court must enforce a Supervised Attendance Order (SAO). If the parents do not keep to the SAO, the court will have all sentencing powers – including imprisonment – available as options. The interests of the children of the family will always be considered in sentencing.
You can report a Public Health Nuisance by using the Online Fault Reporting System.
For more information about Parenting Orders please see the contact section below.
Contact(s)
- Community Safety Team
Antisocial Behaviour Officer
Phone: 01224 538046
Fax: 01224 627421
Email: communitysafetyteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Strategic Leadership
Policy and Planning for Adults
Aberdeen City Council
74-76 Spring Garden
Aberdeen AB25 1GN
