THE TWO most important aspects of raising children are responsibility and high expectations.

But when a child hears the parent say he/she "won't attend school, no matter what I do", it is telling the child that they are not expected to go.

If the parent explains that attendance is paramount, then they are showing that they believe in that child achieving their full potential.

It is up to the parent to seize back control and reinforce their expectations of the child.

Children often feel nothing is expected of them and they are only too happy to deliver. Most children want to please their parents and will blossom when parents express pride in their achievements.

Bolton has a very active system of education social workers working tirelessly to encourage parents to employ strategies to get their children back into school. Every avenue is explored.

The Schools Joint Consultative Panel (made up of councillors from all parties) explains quite clearly that, unless improvement is seen, prosecution will be automatic.

It is spelt out to the child that the situation is in their hands and that truancy will land their parents with a fine, a parenting order, or imprisonment.

This is an awful lot of power to give to a child, but it is something irresponsible parents give their children every day.

Parents who cry "it's not my fault" every time their children behave in an anti-social manner are just as guilty of cruelty as the parent who beats his child.

They don't have to deal with this problem alone, however. Bolton has many agencies to help, and schools go out of their way to accommodate disenfranchised children by adapting timetables and gradual reintroduction to classes.

When we have children, we automatically assume responsibility to give that child the best we can, and to fail is inexcusable unless it is genuinely beyond our control.

Being a parent is sometimes a thankless task, but the satisfaction of seeing your children reach their full potential -- and often achieve far more -- is priceless.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough

Astley Bridge Ward

PARENT POINTS: Cllr Fairclough spells out the responsibilities