Green paper sets out measures to prevent family breakdown
Janaki Mahadevan
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The government is to launch a comprehensive review of the family justice system that will focus on settling disputes out of court, under plans set out in the families green paper today.
Support for All: the Families and Relationships Green Paper also sets out proposals to help prevent the breakdown of families, support the role of fathers and grandparents and introduce flexible working for parents.
Under the measures, more support and encouragement will be given to businesses to introduce "family-friendly" working practices and pilot Parenting Apart Together sessions will be offered at an earlier stage, where parents have decided to separate.
The government has also pledged to improve the information available for grandparents about their legal options in seeking to maintain relationships with their grandchildren following the divorce of parents.
Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said: "Strong, stable families are the bedrock of our society. Families give children the love and security they need to grow up and explore the world, and the moral guidance and aspiration to make the most of their talents and be good citizens.
"It is families, rather than the government, teachers or GPs, that bring up children. Parents have told us that bringing up children is one of the most rewarding things in life but it can also be challenging so we need to offer them the support they need."
The government is holding a summit tomorrow with health visitors, midwives, charities and new fathers to address how fathers can get more involved in the important stages of their child’s upbringing.
It is also supporting plans by the Royal College of Midwives to produce professional guidance for their members on how to best engage with fathers around the birth of their child.
Other proposals include:
- reviewing the notice period fathers have to give for the two-week paternity leave period
- publishing a practice guide in partnership with BT to promote father-friendly working practices for employers and employees
- extending the offer of key worker support to families with disabled children aged birth to 19.
- publishing for consultation new sex and relationship education guidance for schools
- commissioning independent experts to produce further materials for couples worried that their relationship is coming under strain
- working with the Kids in the Middle coalition to produce a guide for children and young people whose parents are separating or divorcing.
