Government funds new innovative support for separated parents

New funding has been awarded to seven voluntary and third-sector organisations to give around 280,000 separated families creative and targeted help to collaborate in their children's interests. This is the first of two rounds of funding awards, as part of £20m dedicated to supporting separated families, and represents a substantial increase in funding for out-of-court support for separated parents by the government.
 
The schemes include a national "virtual" internet-based mediation service hosted by Relate, together with more localised face-to-face mediation to help parents reach amicable agreements. Also announced are plans for parenting classes for the hardest-to-reach teenage mums and dads, counselling and therapy projects, and specialist support to help those who fear their ex-partners.
 
Work and Pensions Minister Steve Webb, responsible for Child Maintenance, said: "Research shows children fare better if parents work together.  So we are working with the voluntary sector to try out new ideas and funding innovative projects to see what best helps parents - from all walks of life - to put their differences aside for the sake of the children. Overall, we are investing £20 million to support parents going through a separation to do the best for their children."
 
50,000 people have already visited the government-funded web app "Sorting out Separation". Launched in November last year as part of the wider programme of support for families, it is designed to help parents minimise the impact on their children where they have decided their only option is to part. A network of telephone services offering support with collaboration will also be available later this year.
 
Ruth Sutherland, Chief Executive of Relate, said: "So many separated parents miss out on the emotional and practical help they need when they break up. We know that when parents can access the right assistance, the impact on them and their children is often significantly reduced. Our new innovative online support will help to plug this gap in accessible and effective provision."
 
Chief Executive of Spurgeons, Tim Jeffery, said: "By intervening early we aim to improve parenting skills amongst teenage parents, reduce conflict between them and support wider family involvement in the upbringing of children. We're offering a cutting-edge approach to encourage young mums and dads who are not in a relationship to work together to be the best parents they can."