PARENTS of unruly school children in Darlington could be made more responsible for their actions in the classroom.

Mothers and fathers could be made to sign contracts to ensure that their children behave.

Darlington Borough Council has agreed to introduce parenting contracts to support teachers who are dealing with pupils with challenging behaviour.

The council already has a team of dedicated professionals, including teacher coaches and teaching assistants, who work in every school to address behavioural issues.

They work with small groups of pupils, their families and staff, to resolve disruptive situations.

Now, the council's cabinet has agreed to introduce parenting contracts and parenting orders.

Both schemes aim to help parents look at their responsibilities and work to improve their children's educational prospects, while giving schools a new way to tackle poor behaviour.

The council's Pupil Support Service is currently working on introducing these measures into Darlington schools across the borough.

If a young person is ex- cluded from school more than once, then a parenting contract could be used. The contract is a formal agreement between the parent, the school and the council, which sets out a plan of action for them to work together to change the young person's behaviour.

The contracts are voluntary and identify any issues that cause poor behaviour and possible solutions.

In more serious cases, the council can apply to the courts for a parenting order.

This is most likely to happen when parents have not supported or co-operated with the school and the Pupil Support Service.

Parenting orders require parents to attend counselling and guidance sessions to help them improve their child's behaviour.

As well as using the two new initiatives, the Pupil Support Service works continually with schools to help young people modify their own behaviour.

Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for children's services, welcomes the move.

He said: "If our young people can work in school and learn about acceptable behaviour, they will achieve good results and ultimately a better job.

"It is important that parents support their children so they can use their time at school productively.