Parental Alienation is real. It destroys children’s mental health, their relationship with one of their parents and can causes them to dislike, disrespect or even fear the targeted parent.

Parental Alienation Awareness Day - 25th April 2023

In the Parliamentary debate on Family Court Reform and CAFCASS on 22 March, LINK , MP for Coventry Northwest Taiwo Owatemi has called for an inquiry into the use of alienation claims in family disputes. 

Dominic Raab, Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister, called for ‘Bold and Radical’ ideas on the reform of the Family ‘Justice’ system.

‘Supporting earlier resolution private law arrangements. Deadline 15 June – so more in next month's newsletter.

The voucher scheme, set up last year, is run by Family Mediation Council on behalf of the MoJ and provides a £500 voucher to put towards the cost of mediation for families in England and Wales. The success of the scheme has encouraged the government to increase the funding to April this year.

Now new proposals in the White Paper regarding mediation have extended the scheme to 2025. LINK. FNF is concerned that despite this welcome move, how easy it will be to sidestep the mediation process by making false allegations of domestic abuse and feel confident there will be no consequence other than free legal aid. 

On September 25th Alex and lots of other motorbike riders will be involved in the annual beach race. Alex writes on his Just Giving page. 

 “So as some of you will know already, I have entered Weston Super-Mare Beach Race this year. It’s a world famous, 3-hour race, round a 6 mile course, on the beach, with a mixture of big hills to climb, corners and jumps, with a 2km straight! It is amazing and I am so excited to take part!! 

Following our recent request for members to write to their MPs about the recent changes to the laws in Spain round separation and the positive consequences for parents, one member received this encouraging reply from Olivia Bates, Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam.

George Eustice, described as a Senior Conservative MP' and former minister for the Environment has deplored the lack of support for 'stay at home mothers'. LINK. 

Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service) have for many years referred perpetrators of domestic abuse to their ‘Respect’ accredited DAPP (Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme). DAPP had formerly been known as the DVIP (Domestic Violence Intervention Project) and DVPP (Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme). Since around 2016, if the course was ordered by a family court, it was free to the participant. Previously, if a perpetrator was recommended or ordered to undertake this course,