Supernanny State Or A Bold And Innovative Initiative?

The Sunday Times is trumpeting Antisocial families to get 'supernannies'. The story is a blend of some topics that have been interesting me recently because it encompasses poor social relations, difficulty relating to various bodies, antisocial behaviour, physical health, bedtimes, cooking skills and understanding nutrition, parental coaching on anger management etc. Or, allostasis.

[Social workers] will arrive early each morning to ensure the household is out of bed and youngsters sent to school. Their tasks will include ensuring children are properly fed and dressed, and encouraging layabout parents to find a job.

So, the author's never seen the trailers for those Neighbours From Hell programmes where it is typically the professional or monied classes who make each other's lives miserable over Leylandii, rights of access, parking etc.. Nor can the author have seen those desperate parents on TV who report that they have repeatedly asked their Social Services Dept. for help with their 'out-of-control' children only to be told that there is nothing available for them. My memory has faded, but I thought that there were several working couples who took part in that pioneering parent coaching course that was televised on BBC 2's Blame The Parents.