A new support scheme has been launched to help parents cope with their children.

Parent and Kids, developed by the Highdown division of Sussex Police, Durrington High School, Highdown Church and Network Partners, is aimed at giving parents the guidance and resources they need.

The scheme will include a web site, meetings at which parents can share experiences, workshops and access to expert advice.

Durrington High headteacher Steve Crowther said: "We thought it would be nice if these parents, having so much angst, could get together and get some support and resources."

The scheme follows a similar parenting programme run at the school called Coping With Kevin, which involved workshops on how to handle conflicts with teenagers.

Mr Crowther said: "Community Beat Officers are constantly having discussions with people on this subject and we thought, let's try to do something about it.

"It's not solely for Durrington parents.

"Starting here does not imply only parents of Durrington High School pupils have difficulties with teenage children but we have to start somewhere and who better to start with than people who we already have a relationship with.

"The aims are to try to give access to information and share experiences through self-help and support groups, prompting positive parenting experiences."

Worthing borough councillor Geraldine Lissenburg said: "I think the scheme is brilliant.

"If we can bring parents together so they can meet people having similar problems with their children, it's got to be a positive thing."

West Sussex county councillor Nick Rodgers said: "One of the interesting things with youth problems is that we always blame the children.

"Worthing is a large town in the South-East, where parents have to go out to work to pay the mortgage.

"This problem of latch-key children is getting worse. Through no fault of anybody, the high cost of living means parents have to work.

"I do think there is huge scope for pre-school and after-school clubs to try to reduce incidents of kids siting at home watching TV on their own.

"This scheme sends a message that we respect children, rather than blame them for what society has failed to put right."

To find out more information, visit www.parentsandkids.org