The first “super parents” have graduated from a pilot family training scheme in Liverpool.

Eighteen families signed up for after-school activities and workshops aimed at building closer relationships at home and in the local community.

The evenings - run by Families and Schools Together (Fast) with the city council and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital - were held at Broadgreen High School, Holly Lodge Girls’ College and New Heys Community Comprehensive for eight weeks.

Families took part in activities such as cookery and board games By spending time together, the organisers hoped, the families would become more functional. It would also help avoid such problems as teenage pregnancy and anti-social behaviour.

The scheme is being extended to five more schools in the city this month, and 13 secondary schools are also expected to sign up.

Elspeth Bromiley, a family therapist, said the project was “already making a huge difference to the lives of many local families”.

Keith Turner, Liverpool’s executive member for education, said: “Fast is a really unique approach to developing stronger, more secure families at the heart of community life.” IH.