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Alex Borchardt
Assistant Chief Executive
& National Helpline Coordinator
Families Need Fathers
Who are Families Need Fathers?
• A British charity, established 1974• Helping families avoid conflict, and keep out of court• Supporting fathers and mothers when the family courts are unavoidable• Keeping children in contact with both parents after separation
Despite our name...
A charity supporting all carers who wish to remain part of their children’s lives
What do we do?• Telephone Helpline• Email support• Information database• Local groups• Campaigning• Working with other organisations• International collaboration
What do we do?• Telephone Helpline• Email support• Information database• Local groups• Campaigning• Working with other organisations• International collaboration
.... and several more
opening in 2009 - 10
Belfast
Families Need FathersWorking with other organisations
To make a lasting difference…
Our core values• Children have the right to a continuing loving relationship with both parents• Children should not be exposed to conflict between warring parents •Children need to be protected from the harm of losing touch with one parent• Each parent has a unique contribution to make to their children’s development• Each parent should be treated equally and shared parenting should be the norm
The children’s plan
‘Evidence shows that parents remain the most direct influence on young people’s outcomes, shaping their aspirations and values.’
Government Department for Children, Schools and Families
Children’s Plan
The scale of the challenge
Estimated minimum of 3,600,000 children in the UK today affected by divorce or separation.
Office for National Statistics
The situation is worsening• Every year 90,000 children experience the break-up of their unmarried parents• Of these, 30,000 are under the age of five• 100,000 more children each year lose contact with one of the parents each year• 40% of children lose all contact with the non resident parent within two years of the parents separating or divorcing• Many would say that society is breaking down
What can lead to family breakdown?• Breakdown in communication• Infidelity• Interference from third parties• Alcohol & Drugs• Gambling• Poverty• Failing communities• Changing attitudes in society
What can be done?• Better support for families that get in to difficulties• Improved support for couples, pre- and post separation• Improved attitudes in society• More responsibility from the media to spread positive messages• Help and solutions for de-escalating conflict• Improved risk management • A more effective Social Services system• Better use of facilities, e.g. contact centres• Learn lessons from how other countries manage
The children’s plan
To offer services which are flexible and meet the needs of all families, in whatever shape or form.
DCSF Children’s Plan
The children’s plan
‘We know that children benefit enormously from having strong relationships with their fathers, yet public services routinely fail to engage with fathers, particularly when the father does not live with the child.’
DCSF Children’s Plan
The children’s plan
‘We know that children benefit enormously from having strong relationships with their fathers, yet public services routinely fail to engage with fathers, particularly when the father does not live with the child.’
DCSF Children’s Plan
Between 1958 and 1969 the number of divorces doubled from 24,000 to 56,000.
ONS Social Trends 38
Between 150,000 and 200,000 parental couples separate each year.HMG Green Paper 2004 Parental Separation: Children’s Needs
and Parents’ Responsibilities
Families change
Families need fathers because both parents matter.
