Families going through the trauma of divorce or separation struggle to find suitable support or assistance, Relate has claimed.
In a new report the relationship charity claims that families breaking up frequently do not know where to turn for assistance, thanks to a lack of cooperation between government agencies. Families unable to obtain the support they need can then find themselves caught up in escalating courtroom confrontations.
It called on the government to simplify those resources which are available to separating couples, establishing a clear point of entry and a national helpline.
Entitled Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, the launch of the Report was attended by Ministers from both the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Attendees included Caroline Dinenage, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice. She claimed the findings supported government plans to increase the use of out-of-court settlements.
The Minster declared:
“The fallout from an acrimonious split between parents can have devastating effects on children. Research shows that people find going to court daunting and would rather avoid doing so, especially if children are involved. We want to help separating couples take responsibility for making their own arrangements, so that cases are resolved out of court wherever possible.”
Read the report here.