POOR parenting is to blame for children being excluded from schools - not the actions of headteachers, claim Worcestershire county councillors.

And single parent families "find it difficult" to control youngsters, says Coun Les Thomas.

The issue of pupil exclusion was discussed at an education scrutiny panel meeting at County Hall this week, while the authority's performance was reviewed.

The panel was asked to consider if the LEA was doing a satisfactory job in relation to exclusions.

"I think we can be satisfied that our officers here produce a thoroughly professional scheme which seems to be working quite well," said Coun Tom Wareing.

"We've met our obligations. It's very difficult for schools because if there's one person disrupting a class it can affect the education of other children.

"I think it's wrong to give the impression that it's the school's responsibility for excluding children.

"The real problem is poor parenting skills. Exclusion is often the only punishment available to schools."

Coun Thomas agreed, saying: "When we went to school we had to behave, but that is not the case today. There are a lot of single parents families who find it difficult to control their children."

The panel agreed there were adequate measures in place to deal with exclusions.

The LEA offers advice to headteachers in relation to exclusion matters.

It also provides training to headteachers, governors and other interested groups on the subject.

A school can make two types of exclusions - permanent and fixed term; previously known as expulsion or suspension.

In 1999/2000 there were 109 "permanent" exclusions compared to 128 the year before.

Eighty-three per cent - or more than four in five - of permanent exclusions were due to physical assaults on pupils and staff, verbal abuse of staff and unco-operative behaviour.

Nine of the pupils were excluded for damage to property, three for indecent behaviour, three for dealing in drugs, two for theft, one for verbal abuse of pupils, and one for possession of drugs.

Meanwhile, in 1999/2000 there were 2,078 fixed-term exclusions, compared to 1,152 the year before.

The 2,078 pupils represent a total of 7,765 days lost by 1,353 pupils.

In Herefordshire there were 444 fixed-term exclusions.