MARCH NEWSLETTER

Updates, news and events 

Hello  ‍ ‍ ‍

Welcome to the March Newsletter of Families Need Fathers, because both parents matter. In this edition, we  anonce the inminent and unmissable event from the Central London Branch on Systemic Failures in the Family Law Court, bring an update on CEO recruitment for the charity, present Dominic Raab's "cost shifting" plans, the government proposal of court's fees remission, OFSTED's focussed visit to Cafcass, the new Child Support Collection Bill in cases of domestic violence, assessments for legal aid made by phone by GPs, and Greg Cavadino's report on the Manchester Branch. 

From FNF, we hope you enjoy, donate, provide feedback and cooperate with the charity.

Regards

FNF

‍CEO RECRUITMENT

‍At time of writing I am pleased to confirm that we are now entering our short-listed phase for the recruitment of our CEO.  The CEO will take the charity through its 50th year and onto greater heights.  The board has been pleased with the response to the recruitment avertising with over 40 very diverse applicants submitting their CV’s.  We hope to have appointed our new CEO within the next month or so.

Paul O’Callaghan

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CONFERENCE IN SYSTEMIC FAILINGS OF THE FAMILY LAW COURTS

‍A one day workshop organized by Central London Branch for 18th March. Tickets left!!

Once again CLB have come up trumps with another of their series of one day workshops. Some great speakers too. Prof Ben Hine, founder of Men and Boys Coalition, Sarah Phillimore on the "Harms Report", Dr Deborah Powney on Women’s Aid, Respect and Refuge's control of the domestic abuse narrative, Naomi Murphy, Clinical Psychologist and David Eggins, from Temper DV.

Going to be a great day!

LINK to the event.

‍DOMINIC RAAB'S PLAN FOR "SHIFTING COSTS" TO ENCOURAGE MEDIATION

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From Dominic Raab our esteemed Lord Chancellor. 

‍ GOVERNMENT PROPOSES A REVISION TO THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME 

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The government has announced an increase in funding for its fee remission scheme summarised in the Family Lawyer on 7th of this month LINK. Although any extra attempt to help the most vulnerable is welcome it is not court fees that are the primary problem facing separated families. It is the continuing ongoing cost of maintaining two homes, unaffordable CMS payments and contact centres that makes child arrangements so difficult for most families. You can contribute to the government consultation here LINK. FNF will be making a response to this. If you have any views or experiences, please let us know by email to john.baker.trustee@fnf.org.uk 

‍ CAFCASS FOCUSSED VISIT BY OFSTED

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OFSTED undertake focussed visits on occasion. These are unannounced visits to check on a particular area.  

‍ INTERNATIONAL ABDUCTION AND CHILD CONTACT GROUP

‍ We are pleased to be able to update you on the progress of our new international group that was formed in January this year. This is the first of FNF’s niche groups created since the groups concept was endorsed at the 2022 AGM.  The first meetings of the international group were held on 25 January and 22 February, with the next scheduled for 22 March (see https://fnf.org.uk/online-meetings).  

‍ THE UGLY- THE CHILD SUPPORT COLLECT (DOMESTIC ABUSE) BILL

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Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament slipped through Parliament yesterday. It will become obligatory for perpetrators of DA to pay their child maintenance by collect and pay. Increasing the cost by 20%. What is more worrying is the evidence required is not clear. Is this a family court finding or a criminal conviction. More worrying is that non-payment of CMS is now classified as economic abuse in line with the recent Domestic Abuse Bill. 

‍ THE BAD- LEGAL AID "HURDLE" REMOVED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE APPLICANT

‍ Domestic abuse complainants no longer need to see their doctor in person to obtain evidence required for their legal aid application under changes that have come into force this week. You simply phone your GP, and they can assess you over the phone! The Law Society welcomed the move obviously because it will probably mean more legal aid cases, but FNF can only see further court delays, more false allegations and... have you tried to get a conversation with your GP recently!?  

‍ THE GOOD- NICKEY HERSEY IS RAISING MONEY FOR FNF. WHAT A LEGEND!!!

‍ Nickie was a normal Dad when his relationship fell apart and his children disappeared from his life. Just like many parents in FNF he went to a very dark place before he dragged himself back to reality. Now he’s walking to Paris from Bracknell over 12 days to raise money for FNF. He has amazingly raised £1000 so far. Thanks Nickie. You can contribute to Nicki’s fundraising EFFORT on this LINK 

‍  GREG CAVADINO REPORTS ON MANCHESTER BRANCH

‍ The first Manchester face to face group was October 2022 and attended by members of a WhatsApp group that had been started a few months before.