FNF Newsletter 20th June 2021

Hello ,

Welcome to our second June issue. 

• Father's Day 2021 - a FNF Dad's Journey!
• Lord Farmer seeks input for House of Lords Debate on Child Maintenance
• National Audit Office Survey on Child Maintenance Service
• Nuffield FJO Rapid Consultation into Family Justice Recovery Plans
• Father's Day 2021 - what the media said

It’s Father’s Day again! A day to celebrate fatherhood, but a day too, on which many of us may not have the good fortune to be with our fathers or our children. Father’s Day for most children marks the importance of dads in their lives, just as Mother’s Day does for mums. Each parent helps to shape and form young minds into the adults of tomorrow, developing their sense of self-worth and identity. In this issue, we are shining a spotlight on Edward'sstory - a father who managed to get full custody of his children after a long legal battle.

Most of you have had the experience of fathers being undervalued and here are two opportunities to influence policy by sharing your perspective as a father. Next week, Lord Farmer leads a debate on Child Maintenance in the House of Lords. He is calling for evidence from parents by Wednesday 23rd June 2021 at midday. The National Audit Office too are currently carrying out a value for money study on whether the child maintenance system is delivering value for money for children, separated parents and the taxpayer. Both offer great opportunities for you and for FNF to make important points on how the system is not fit-for-purpose and how it can be improved.

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory are also continuing their work to support a system-wide understanding of how family justice practice has been shaped by COVID-19. We would like to invite you to complete these two important surveys which will help policy-makers understand fathers experiences, shape government responses and make the child maintenance service fit for purpose.

Thank you for your support!

Happy Father’s Day 2021 from all of us at FNF – because both parents matter!

With best wishes,

The Team at FNF