Bringing up children is a 'job for life' and this discussion paper looks at education and support for parents as a continuous process which starts at birth and goes on through childhood, adolescence, committed relationships, pregnancy and parenthood itself. A framework is presented which summarises those forms of preparation, education and support which are, or should be, available at each stage of an individual's life if they are to develop to their full potential as parents.

Bringing up children is a 'job for life' and this discussion paper looks at education and support for parents as a continuous process which starts at birth and goes on through childhood, adolescence, committed relationships, pregnancy and parenthood itself. A framework is presented which summarises those forms of preparation, education and support which are, or should be, available at each stage of an individual's life if they are to develop to their full potential as parents.