The Princes Trust youth charity says that the wellbeing of many young people is diminished, and their school grades affected, by a lack of "structure and direction" at home.

Paul Brown of the Princes Trust says that there is a "clear correlation" between children that have struggled at school and hose who have had a lack of structure and routine. It is no surprise, he adds, that a lack of routine can lead to truancy.

Dr Pat Spungin, a family psychologist, says the report "absolutely makes sense".

Children are looking for "predictability" and "consistency", she believes, and if a child's background is chaotic, they do not feel in control of their life, which can ultimately lead to depression.

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