The Centre for Separated Families
PRESS RELEASE
27.01.09 – For immediate release
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Parents need fewer clichés and more support says charity
A leading charity has described proposals to introduce new powers to seize passports and driving licences from so-called “absent parents” as disappointing.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the proposals contained in the Welfare Reform Bill would be a "last resort" if other sanctions failed. However, the Centre for Separated Families, which
works with families who are going through separation says that the Government appears to be falling back on outdated stereotypes.
Karen Woodall, Director of the Centre for Separated Families said:
“Many of the parents who call our helpline are providing all of the day-to-day care and not being supported financially and they do need effective action. But many more are trying to sort out
arrangements in very difficult circumstances. This is a very complex area and announcements like these may sound tough but actually do nothing to tackle the real issues around family separation
and children's wellbeing.”
The Centre is also critical of the way the proposed powers will be used by the Child Maintenance Commission, the body responsible for collecting statutory child maintenance.
Ms Woodall said:
“It is deeply worrying that it will be civil servants rather than the judiciary who will implement such decisions. We're talking about a system that is riddled with administrative errors,
unrealistic demands for payment and an inability to take personal circumstances into consideration. It is a key principle that people should have the right to a judicial rather than
administrative process.”
She went on:
“What the Government should be concentrating on is ensuring that couples don't get into entrenched positions in the first place. Parents need more and better advice and support as they go
through separation, not tough sounding headlines.”
The Centre for Separated Families believes that the Department for Work and Pensions' new Child Maintenance Options service offers a glimpse of how wider support services could operate. Under new
rules that came into effect in November, all parents can make their own child maintenance arrangements. The Options service is intended to provide impartial support and information to help
them.
Ms Woodall said:
“Child Maintenance Options is providing the kind of impartial, non-judgemental, empathic support that helps parents to discharge their responsibilities after separation. It's not about “lone
parents” or “absent fathers”, it's about working with parents to look at the positive choices that they can make for their children. That's what brings about lasting change.”
The Welfare Reform Bill had its second reading today.
Ends.
Further information: 07771 854 792
Notes to the editor:
The Centre for Separated Families is a national charity working with and on behalf of families experiencing divorce and separation. It was established in 1973.
The Centre offers information, support and advice to mothers and fathers, whatever their parenting status, and has a range of innovative education programmes to support co-operative
parenting.
The Centre for Separated Families works with Government and other agencies to help deliver best practice in services delivered to separated families.
The Centre for Separated Families has worked closely with the Department for Work and Pensions on delivering consultancy, training and material for its new Child Maintenance Options
service.
The Centre has a research programme and aims to inform and influence public policy through this and its direct work with families.
Karen Woodall is the co-author of Putting Children First: a handbook for separated parents, published by Piatkus.