Parents have asked for lessons in how to bring up their children.

Respondents to a public survey about changes to children's services said parenting courses were one of several services they would like to see offered by children's centres.

They welcomed a new Children's Trust that will encourage health and social experts to work together to support young people. But they expressed concerns about the reduction of home visits from health visitors.

An independent report found the majority of those consulted in Brighton and Hove appeared to support the guiding principles of the trust and the service changes it will bring to the city.

The report was produced after a city-wide consultation on the first stages of developing the Children's Trust, which would bring health care, social care and education together in an integrated service.

Earlier this year, staff and the public were asked to give their views on services for families with children under five and children's centres.

More than 1,200 people took part in the survey which council and community leaders said would help shape a better future for families in Brighton and Hove.

Respondents suggested a wide range of services they would like to see offered at Children's Centres and by community teams.

In addition to parenting courses, these included drop-in sessions and informal social groups, information about child development, housing and health services, services for older children and teenager courses.

Jean Spray, chairwoman of the city's Children's Trust board, said: "It is pleasing to see general support for the proposed changes.

"All the views expressed will be considered in the ongoing planning and development of children's services."

Councillor Pat Hawkes, chairwoman of the Children, Families and Schools committee, said: "We are grateful to all those who took part in the consultation.

"It is encouraging to see that a lot of people who took part would like to engage in continued involvement and take an active part in the development of the services."

Joint working by staff from all sectors is a key aspect of the Children's Trust. In some cases this means various skilled workers from different sectors will be working together to provide a new integrated service.

David Hawker, the council's director of Children, Families and Schools, said: "The findings show that 80 per cent of staff who responded welcomed the idea of multi-disciplinary team working. More than 75 per cent thought working in multidisciplinary teams would have a positive effect on the outcomes for children.

"The consultation highlighted that staff would like to be involved in joint training."

While most of the feedback from parents and staff was supportive of the changes, there were concerns that some areas would be "missing out" on services.

Other concerns were raised about practical issues of providing targeted support and the reduction of home visits from health visitors.

Consultation findings will be used to help redraft the services offered by children's centres.