21/07/2004

Government's family justice plans unveiled

The government has set out plans aimed at creating a better family justice system for parents who separate, and their children.

Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said that 90% of separating couples come to their own arrangements for their children and the plans will help more parents to do this.

"But when courts do make orders we will give judges the tools they need to ensure they are respected," he added.

The Green Paper, 'Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities', details a range of measures including in-court conciliation and mediation for those parents who do go to court, and stronger powers for judges to enforce court orders. Provisions for supplying better information for parents and assistance for parents to make better arrangements are also contained in the paper.

Lord Falconer said: "This is a strong package of proposals which will make a significant difference. We intend to implement the necessary changes as soon as possible.

"The law states that the child's interests are paramount. That will not change. The Government strongly believes that children need both parents - these proposals will make it more likely that children will continue to have two parents."

Lord Falconer also said that there would not be an automatic presumption of 50/50 contact.

"Children cannot be divided like the furniture or the CD collection. It's more complex than that," he said.

The plans in the consultation paper cover England and Wales and the closing date for comments is 1 November.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 May 2014
Alcohol-Related ChildLine Calls On The Rise
The number of children calling ChildLine with concerns about their parents' behaviour due to alcohol and drug abuse has doubled in the past year, according to the NSPCC. The charity's 24-hour helpline received 5,323 calls in 2013, more than 100 a week, from children worried about their parents' behaviour.
15 August 2014
Two Arrested During Search For Missing Brothers
Two people have been arrested by police searching for three brothers missing since Monday. It is now known that the brothers, Remus (15), Janko (12) and David (10), caught a train to Newcastle while their foster parents thought they were out for a bike ride on Monday evening. The brothers were seen on CCTV leaving Newcastle's Central Station.
14 November 2013
Police Report Missing Teen Found 'Safe And Well'
Police have reported that a missing 15-year-old girl has been found "safe and well". At the time of her disappearance Ella Hysom, from Colchester, Essex, had been receiving treatment for depression at a hospital in Goodmayes, east London. She had been reported missing on Monday, having been last seen in Ilford, east London.
22 June 2012
New Guide To Help Parents Teach Children About Body Confidence
The government has backed a guide to help parents teach their children to be confident about their bodies. The guide stresses that the so-called perfect body and the emphasis on skinniness is a "socially and culturally constructed ideal".
11 February 2010
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.