By Katherine Sellgren BBC News education reporter at the ASCL conference

Children absent from school are often with parents

The idea, recommended in Sir Alan Steer's report into discipline, is to be tested in 600 primary and secondary schools from September.

Speaking about it to the Association of School and College Leaders conference, Schools Minister Jacqui Smith said �40m would be available for the pilot.

Advisers will offer one-to-one support to parents needing extra help.

They may arrange home visits and "meet the teacher" sessions, promote the importance of attending parents' evenings and urge parents to get involved in school activities.

'Catalyst'

Ms Smith told delegates at the conference in Birmingham that the initiative could be a "catalyst" for greater parental engagement and responsibility.

"We all need to work hard to engage parents. But in doing that we also have the right to expect and demand that parents take their responsibilities seriously too," said Ms Smith.

"A positive relationship between home and school, parent and teacher is essential in delivering the best education possible for young people and ensuring good behaviour and regular attendance.

"Delivering parental responsibility is at the heart of our education reforms - support for those parents who have not traditionally engaged with education, or need extra help in meeting their responsibilities, as well as sanctions for those that simply will not."

The general secretary of the ASCL, Dr John Dunford, welcomed the announcement.

"I think the pilot is likely to be successful and demonstrate this is a good use of money," he said.

"It'll lead to many more schools having these workers.

"They will create a connection between the parents who never come near the school and the teachers, and that can only be a good for their children's education."