The Department of Health has taken over responsibility for a £2m Government parenting scheme that helped just 4% of those eligible over two years.
Under the Department for Education’s CANparent trial, more than 50,000 parents and carers of children up to the age of five living in Camden LBC, Middlesbrough and High Peak BCs were eligible for £100 worth of classes.
Relationship research charity OnePlusOne said it was disappointing that more parents had not taken advantage of the classes.
OnePlusOne researcher Dr Hannah Green said: ‘As new parents juggle the demands of a new baby they may find that they have less time together, argue more and are less positive towards each other.
‘Support during this time is essential in making this transition easier.
‘We know that good parenting classes can make a difference to couples who are becoming new parents and, in addition, they are a great space for making new friends that are going through the same thing.’
