Families Need Fathers gave evidence today to the House of Commons DWP Select Committee

Press Release - 16th November 2016

Families Need Fathers gave evidence today telling the House of Commons Select Committee Inquiry into child support that the DWP's Child Maintenance Service (CMS) programme - introduced in 2012 to replace the CSA - is far too simplistic and harsh, often forcing poorer non-resident parents into poverty in the callous manner employed by some payday loan companies – even if the children are cared for by their fathers for almost half the time.

FNF has submitted to the committee that the charity's biggest ever member survey had revealed many fathers who wanted to be good parents but were driven to the brink of suicide by the combination of child-related benefits allocations and the primitive formulaic income assessments by the CMS.

After watching the 75 minute evidence session Jerry Karlin said, "We tried to convey to the Committee the absurdity of a system which purports to meet its own objectives and yet driving separated parents further apart and destroying relationships between children and parents by giving financial incentives to both parent to exclude each other from spending time with their children"

The Select Committee also took evidence in camera from 2 non-resident parents about their experience of the CSA/CMS and their resultant fall into poverty.

Video recording of meeting

Note to editors:

The complete submission to the select committee containing our consultation findings, including further quotations from respondents can be downloaded here. Details of the inquiry can be found here. 

The FNF survey of members and supporters across the UK drew 810 responses to an online survey results received between 5^th and 26^th September 2016.

For comment, case studies or information please contact: media@fnf.org.uk or call Michael Lewkowicz on 0300 0300 110.

Families Need Fathers - because both parents matter
FNF is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. FNF is NOT a fathers' rights group - we support the best interests of children - namely mature and collaborative parenting by both parents - an objective which is inadequately promoted in the family court system and associated services.

Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s meaningful relationship with both parents.

Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

What do you think?

Send us feedback!

Father's Day 2016

Father’s Day, like all special days for children is a sensitive and difficult day for dads who are unable to spend it with their children due to their ex-partner’s failure to put the interests of their children above their own.

Of course, Father’s Day is primarily a day for the children when they can focus on their dads, express their love and affection, and acknowledge that he is part of their identity in a way that is unique.

We hope that children will be spending time with their dad or marking the day in some other way. If they are not seeing their dad this Sunday, then perhaps you can mark the occasion at another time in the coming weeks. And if that is not possible because visitation is not taking place and/or they have been alienated then please try to remember that even the most severely poisoned children, deep down, love their dads, but may find it impossible to express this under the circumstances in which they currently live.

On the occasion of Father’s Day we ask you if you would please consider answering a short questionnaire about what works best at FNF and what we can do and prioritise within our limited resources to improve our services and make a difference.

 If you are prepared to help us with this survey please click here

 Reunited - A Story of Hope  Jason, Weybridge

 We leave you with two heartfelt stories from our members. They are relevant to all that we do and justify why we should never give up hope!  Click on the boxes below.

We thank you for your ongoing support. To maintain our activities we are almost entirely dependent on membership fees and donations, but the sums we collect are insufficient to meet our current requirements, let alone our wish to extend our services and awareness-raising activities. Please consider making a donation to FNF to enable us to continue to offer and develop our support services and campaigns.

You can donate to FNF via this page.  If you are not a member and wish to join or you simply wish to register in support please do so using the buttons above on this page.

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White Paper Release – 26^th April 2016

Stemming the Tide of Misinformation: International Consensus on Shared Parenting and Overnighting

Richard A. Warshak, the world renowned expert on parenting and Parental Alienation (PA), has just published a white paper describing the purpose and background of a two-year project to stem the tide of misinformation that was generating confusion about where the scientific community stood on shared parenting for preschool children.

Four decades of research were reviewed, analysed, and vetted by incorporating feedback from an international group of experts in the fields of attachment, early child development, parent-child relations, and divorce. Social Science and Parenting Plans for Young Children: A Consensus Report was published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, with the endorsement of 110 highly accomplished researchers and practitioners, several who contributed seminal studies cited in the report.

The paper provides the conclusions and recommendations of the consensus report and describes how the report has helped decision makers. After the Warshak consensus report was published, two new studies lent additional weight to the report’s conclusions. The white paper discusses the new studies and describes reactions to the consensus report. The paper concludes by explaining the advantages of having the consensus report reviewed and endorsed by prominent international authorities.

Here is particularly good excerpt from the report:

FNF’s CEO, Jerry Karlin, said “Dr Warshak highlights some of the double standards which brazenly and stubbornly seem to persist in our society despite everyone's apparent agreement that children deserve, require and need meaningful relationships with both their parents - especially after separation or divorce."

Thanks to our friends at the International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP) in Germany for drawing this report to our attention.

For comment, case studies or information please contact: media@fnf.org.uk or call Michael Lewkowicz on 0300 0300 110.

Notes for editors:

Families Need Fathers - because both parents matter
FNF is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. FNF is NOT a fathers' rights group - we support the best interests of children - namely mature and collaborative parenting by both parents - an objective which is inadequately promoted in the family court system and associated services.

Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s meaningful relationship with both parents.

Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

What do you think?

Send us feedback!

PRESS RELEASE – 24^th March 2016

Spare a thought for Fathers this Easter as

Family Court Orders Are Ignored

FNF Survey of Holiday Parenting Time 2016

Thousands of children are denied a meaningful relationship with a parent after separation and this Easter Families Need Fathers draws attention to the failures of compliance and enforcement of family court orders made in children’s interests.

FNF carried out a survey of members and supporters to help gain an understanding of their experience of parenting arrangements post-separation last Christmas. We received 402 responses.

Almost half of respondents’ (46.1%) children did not see their other parent this Christmas.

A notable finding is that half of respondents (50.8%) had a court order in place for contact with their children during this period. However, in 56.6% of cases the order was not obeyed.

Of those who were not seeing their children, almost three-quarters did not even receive a card or gift from their children (72.9%) or have the opportunity to speak to them on the telephone (76.2%).

For many respondents, whether there was a court order in place or not, the difficulties are not new. Almost half (46.6%) did not see their children the year before either, a further quarter (26.0%) had not seen their children in the last 3 - 5 years and over a quarter of respondents (27.4%) had not seen their children at Christmas for over 5 years!

For those whose children were lucky enough to have parenting time with both parents this Christmas/New Year period it was reassuring to find that over two-thirds (68.7%) spent more than a day with their children. A further 7.4% enjoyed a day with their children. However, a quarter (24.0%) spent less than half a day over the entire period with their children and 13.4% had less than three hours of parenting time.

FNF’s CEO, Jerry Karlin, said “These are very dispiriting but not surprising results. Christmas is a sensitive time for children and parents alike. That so many people are reporting that court orders made in the interests of children are not being complied with reflects badly on the family justice system. That so many supporters report that they have not seen their children for many years just adds weight to this”.

The comments made by respondents support this with many saying that “the contact order was worthless” or “she has never stuck to the court order ever and got away with it” or “I wanted to see them or to speak to them but was told ‘no’ by the mother” or “I have no idea if my daughter sees cards and gifts sent”. Many respondents also reported Parental Alienation (PA) being an important factor.

A smaller number expressed joy at a change of heart by their ex “I have seen them for the first time at Xmas for 3 years, it was wonderful” and “FNF gave me the moral impetus to fight for contact and win”.

FNF have shared these results with the Minister of Justice and the judiciary with proposals to address these serious deficiencies in the workings of the family justice system e.g. judicial continuity of cases restored to the courts for enforcement and granting of court costs against parent failing to comply with court orders.

For comment, case studies or information please contact: media@fnf.org.uk or call Michael Lewkowicz on 0300 0300 110.

Notes for editors:

Families Need Fathers - because both parents matter
FNF is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. FNF is NOT a fathers' rights group - we support the best interests of children - namely mature and collaborative parenting by both parents - an objective which is inadequately promoted in the family court system and associated services.

Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s meaningful relationship with both parents.

Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

What do you think?

Send us feedback!

The launch of Parental Alienation Direct
on Parental Alienation Awareness Day - April 25 2016

PAA day is the date when the issue of alienation of children from a loving parent is highlighted across the world.  In the UK, where PA is only just starting to be accepted by the Family Courts, there is a long way to go before family services recognise the problem for what it is, the abuse of a child and their right to loving relationships with both of their parents and the wider family after separation.

Parental Alienation (PA) takes place when one parent, through their behaviour and attitudes, causes the child to be alienated or estranged from the other parent. This is often seen in the context of divorce or parental separation.  The alienating parent - usually the one with whom the child spends the most time - may very openly or quite covertly literally infect the child's mind with poisoning thoughts about the other parent.  Sometimes it is even almost unconscious...

What do you think?

Send us feedback!