By Sarah Cassidy
The Independent
UNITED KINGDON — Charities warned that Government plans for a radical overhaul of family law including the introduction of shared parental leave would do little to help improve the lives of the most vulnerable children.
The Coalition’s new Children’s and Families Bill will allow fathers to share up to a year’s leave to look after their newborn children and also includes reforms to adoption, family justice, the Special Educational Needs (SEN) system, and plans to introduce childminders agencies.
But while charities expressed support for the aims of the Bill many said they were concerned that the promised improvements would fail to be delivered.
Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the charity Scope, said the plans were disappointing arguing they would do “nothing to alleviate the stress and anxiety” felt by parents of disabled children.
He said: “Parents of disabled children have been looking forward to action. But instead it looks like the Government is going to politely suggest to local bodies that they do their best to improve things.”
Statement by Kaine Fisher, head of RLG’s Family Law Dept.: “This seems like a good start. Unfortunately, even the best-laid programs can’t thrive without the governmental funding to back them. That’s just reality. But at least legislators are moving in the right direction. It has always been my position that education and good parenting are the cornerstones of a healthy and thriving society. How could you possibly go wrong by focusing on bettering these institutions?”
If you’d like to discuss family law, contact with Kaine Fisher, head of RLG’s Family Law Department, kfisher@roselawgroup.com.
