Rows between fathers' and mothers' groups gave the impression of anirresolvable domestic dispute. But the sector has now put aside itsdifferences and published a statement explaining how the Governmentshould improve its family policies (Children Now, 10-16 May).
Duncan Fisher, chief executive and co-founder of Fathers Direct, saidthe statement is a significant achievement. "The debate around separatedfamilies has been categorised by people shouting at each other," headmits. "To move the debate forward we needed to demonstrate that thereis consensus."
The Government's latest review of the Child Support Agency is theimpetus for the sector's more conciliatory tone, he explains.
"Work and pensions secretary John Hutton announced a complete review ofthe agency in February and in that statement he said its remit includedhow to make the agency more supportive of parents as well as more costeffective," says Fisher. "It indicated an opportunity to change thesystem."
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