Consultation of the Week: Strengthening Families, Promoting Parental Responsibility: the Future of Child Maintenance

What's it all about? The government plans to offer more support to families at risk of separation. It is also seeking to introduce reforms that would encourage parents who intend to separate to rely less on government services and instead make family-based arrangements for parents' involvement in their children's lives and child maintenance payments. 

What are the main points? The consultation seeks views on plans for a series of support and mediation services that aim to strengthen families or enable separating parents to agree on outcomes that are in their, and their children's, best interests. The Child Support Agency would be replaced with a statutory child maintenance scheme.

Who can have their say? Anyone with an interest in child maintenance issues. The consultation would particularly like to hear from parents who live apart and organisations that represent parents or their children in this situation.

When is the deadline? 7 April. Responses can be posted to the Department for Work and Pensions or emailed to strengtheningfamilies.consultation@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.