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Charity welcomes consultation on shared parenting

The Government’s consultation on proposed legislation on the involvement of both parents in a child’s life has been welcomed by charity, Families Need Fathers.

The consultation “Co-operative Parenting Following Family Separation: Proposed Legislation on the Involvement of Both Parents in a Child’s Life”, offers four legislative options for amendments to the Children Act. The Government intends to promote continued meaningful relationships with both parents for children following family breakdown, and to increase options available to handle the breaching of court-ordered contact orders.

Whilst these changes are welcome, the charity believes that a change in the law will not be sufficient on its own to ensure that the Government’s goal of increasing the involvement of both parents after separation is met. It is encouraging that the Government intends to strengthen measures available to enforce contact orders where these are not being followed, but it is important that this is accompanied by adequate training for all professionals that separating families are likely to be involved with when making parenting arrangements.

Ken Sanderson, CEO of Families Need Fathers, commented, “The failure to adequately enforce contact orders has eroded public confidence in family law, and the Government’s desire to bring this situation to an end will be welcome news to all parents who do not have day-to-day care of their children.”

“Any change to the law though will have to be accompanied by adequate guidance and training for family law professionals, to ensure that the spirit of the law is reflected in how cases are handled. The Children Act 1989 hinted at the importance to children of both parents being fully involved after separation, but the failure to make this explicit has led to this aspect of child welfare becoming increasingly marginalized in private family law. This amendment will help to ensure that more children are able to benefit from a continuing, loving relationship with both parents following separation or divorce.”

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