Department sets out plans to reform child maintenance system
Summary
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has acknowledged that services provided by the child maintenance system need to be reformed to contribute more effectively to family support.
Children need a well-balanced home environment in order to become healthy, happy and successful adults, and the inclusion of both parents in their lives is essential for maintaining this balance.
The Government should use methods to encourage and support parents to continue involvement in their children’s lives and through the payment of child maintenance. Families should also make well-informed decisions for themselves rather than relying on government intervention.
‘Strengthening families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance’ (Cm. 7990) highlights the main principles for support:
- a family-centred approach;
- supporting families to take responsibility;
- a reformed statutory system; and
- protecting the most vulnerable.
This Green Paper describes proposals for re-shaping services believed to be necessary to deliver better outcomes for families. Plans include: supporting separating parents, reforming child maintenance and moving to the new child maintenance system.
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