Shared Parenting - Shared Benefits

Families Need Fathers is very proud to announce the launch of a new project encouraging and promoting Shared Parenting.

'Shared Parenting, Shared Benefits', was produced by FNF's own Craig Pickering and funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It was launched to coincide with Father's Day (Sunday June 21st), which is also Families Need Fathers' 35th anniversary.

'Shared Parenting, Shared Benefits' is based around four sets of guidance documents aimed at four different groups of people, outlining the benefits of shared parenting and making constructive and practical suggestions for implementing it 'on the ground'. The four areas are:

STOP PRESS

The latest on Cafcass guidance on Shared Parenting.

To bring you absolutely up to date we have been working hard to address the issues around the Shared Parenting guidelines that Craig Pickering and others in FNF have been working on.

The news is that Cafcass have agreed to take ownership of the guidelines, with FNF support, and create a revised draft that will then be circulated to Cafcass staff.

After a round-table meeting we attended at the Department of Children, Schools and Families in September, they hope to have an agreed version by Christmas. Watch this space!

Jon Davies 28th of August.

For Cafcass officers. This provides 'Definitions, Evidence and Statistics' for Cafcass officers and guidance on how Shared Parenting can be encouraged. Cafcass have been extremely receptive and agreed guidance which they plan to distribute to their staff.
For schools and teachers, the guidance answers the question 'What is shared parenting?' simply and directly, and gives practical tips to help schools involve both parents in their child's education.
For Sure Start Centres. Like the guidance for schools, this gives information and ideas for those working in Children's Centres and involved in Early Years provision to make the most of the benefits provided by Shared Parenting.
For Litigants In Person. This guidance outlines the family court process and offers help for those representing themselves. It draws from our 'Give 'Em Some LIP' publication, which was produced for our highly successful Litigant-in-Person Support Workshops and is available in the FNF Online Shop.

Downloads

To download the guidance for Cafcass officers please click here.

To download the guidance for schools please click here.

To download the guidance for Sure Start please click here.

To download the guidance for Litigants in Person officers please click here.

These are not lobbying documents or consultation responses - they are designed to be 'in the hands' of those working directly with children and families.

The project has already received high praise, with Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families) saying:

“I welcome the work and commitment by Families Need Fathers to raise awareness of shared parenting and the benefits it can bring to the lives and outcomes of children and young people. Children feel better and do better when they have good relationships with their mum and dad, whether their parents live together or are separated. I am delighted, therefore, to see the charity has produced new guidance for those working with children and families about engaging both mothers and fathers in all aspects of the child's life.”

And Sir Mark Potter, President of the Family Division adding:

“The Families Need Fathers campaign makes a constructive contribution to the debate on the role of parents in divorce and separation. I particularly welcome the clearly drafted and very helpful guidance for Litigants in Person. It encourages parents to be clear and focused in their dealings with family courts, and should remove unnecessary fears about how people representing themselves are treated there. I hope it leads to real progress.”

We hope that many of you will find them useful in your own cases and your meetings with Cafcass, schools and Sure Start.

Please also pass it on to anyone, parent or professional, who you think might benefit from the guidance.