Family Law

The Minister for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance Justin Tomlinson has announced details of a new £2.7 million fund to increase support for disadvantaged families at risk of parental conflict.

The Department for Work and Pensions claim parental conflict to cover a range of issues including lack of warmth, emotional distance right through to verbal abuse. If children are exposed to this over a long period of time it could have a significant effect on their emotional and social development.

Children most at risk are those with parents who are out of work, on low incomes or struggling with physical and mental health conditions.

The new fund will be split into two sections. The first will see £1.1 million go towards funding projects which support families at a greater risk of parental conflict. These complex issues experienced by families can include debt, divorce and mental health issues and the projects will look at new ideas to tackle the challenges faced.

The remainder of the fund (£1.6 million) will be dedicated towards digital support to help parents get support online.

The Government believe that pioneering approaches are needed to improve access to digital support for families at risk of parental conflict. The money will help to fund creative solutions which will provide parents with low digital skills help in a bid to lower the number of low income and workless households.

Minister Justin Tomlinson said: “Conflict between parents can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on children, and it’s often caused by external stresses. We want families experiencing problems to have easier access to help.

“This innovative fund will develop solutions for parents to repair their relationships, resolve any conflict and provide a safer environment for their children to grow up.”