A NEW scheme to help parents stay together is being piloted in Worcestershire - in the hope it can benefit the whole of Britain.

The county has been selected as one of 12 areas to test-run a major Government initiative to offer extra family support to parents at risk of break-up.

Worcestershire County Council is holding talks with Whitehall officials over how it will work, but the scheme is expected to include new parenting programmes, counselling for vulnerable families facing separation and specialist training for social workers to spot signs of relationship distress.

Your Worcester News can reveal how Work and Pension Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has hand-picked the county for the roll-out alongside areas like Blackpool, Manchester and Essex.

It follows spiralling numbers of children in care across Worcestershire, which stands at around 690 - and parental break-up is often a factor.

Mr Duncan Smith said: "Family breakdown is clearly very difficult for everyone involved, but we know that children are often particularly negatively affected.

"With evidence showing that children benefit when their parents work together to support them, even if they decide they cannot stay together, it makes sense that we focus on helping families to do this.

"That’s why I’m pleased to be launching these trials – which are aimed at developing local, tailored support services.

"Family is vital in providing a foundation for a child’s development and success, so it’s right we do everything we can to support them in difficult times, and shield children from the harm that family break-up can cause to their prospects as adults."

A body called OnePlusOne, experts in relationship support, has been asked to work with bosses at County Hall to develop the new programme and report back to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Councillor John Campion, the cabinet member for children and families, said: "The council and our partners continue to drive to make sure, wherever possible that children can be brought up in a safe and loving family home.

"We're pleased to be involved in this pilot to see how strengthening parents' relationships can benefit the life of children.

"We're still in the initial stages of discussion with the Department of Work and Pensions to see how this project could fit in with our wider 'prevention and intervention' strategy to help nip family problems in the bud and prevent the need for specialist services."

The 12 areas taking part also include Blackburn, Cheshire and Chester, Dorset, Croydon, Gateshead, Hertfordshire, Luton and Westminster.

If successful, it will then be rolled out to other parts of the country depending on what works and what doesn't.