Police, politicians and community workers have called for parents to take responsibility for their children following serious disorder in west Belfast.

The extent to which parents can be held responsible in these situations is a vexed legal and ethical question - what if they are doing their best, yet still failing?

Northern Ireland and Britain are taking divergent paths on this issue. England and Wales have had parenting orders since 2000, with Scotland joining them five years later. Courts can compel parents to address a child’s behaviour through conditions such as ensuring they are at home during certain hours. Failure to comply is a criminal offence with a £1,000 fine.

Use of parenting orders declined over the past decade as many professionals consider them ineffective or counterproductive. But the government wants more use of orders and is toughening them up, including adding jail time for parents. This is a response to the 2024 Stockport murders - a public inquiry found they could have been prevented by the murderer’s parents.

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Northern Ireland has rejected parenting orders in favour of youth conferencing orders - restorative justice schemes where parents are required to attend. If parents do not cooperate, their child may instead be prosecuted.

Evidence indicates Northern Ireland’s approach is superior. However, public opinion prefers a tougher approach and it may be a mistake not to have that in reserve for the most serious cases.

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A new prime minister has meant a new team at the Northern Ireland Office, with secretary of state Hilary Benn and junior minister Matthew Patrick both leaving government. There is some continuity with the appointment of Baroness Ruth Anderson as a second junior minister - she was already the NIO’s spokesperson in the Lords and was previously a shadow........

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