New Group in New Earswick

A new group for single parents (mums or dads) called SNAP has been formed at New Earswick Children’s Centre. It meets every last Friday of the month at 1.30pm for a relaxed informal chat and to share experiences. If you have a child under five, take them along to play. Parents with children over five are welcome too. Once the group has been established, they hope to invite guest speakers to talk about issues of interest.

Press Release: 26.07.10

Child maintenance statistics misleading

PRESS RELEASE
26.07.10 – for immediate release

A York charity that has worked with separated families for more than 35 years has condemned recent child maintenance statistics as being inaccurate and simplistic.

York Separated Families, part of the Centre for Separated Families, claims that the figures released by single parent charity Gingerbread are misleading and that they hide the true nature of family finance after separation.

Yesterday’s Press revealed claims by Gingerbread that £36 million is owed in child maintenance arrears across North Yorkshire.

But Nick Woodall of York Separated Families said:

“The figures released by Gingerbread are both irresponsible and misleading. Around half of the total figure cited is actually owed to the government, not to parents. It represents income-related benefits paid before child maintenance was disconnected from the benefits system. These kind of claims might grab headlines, but they don’t help children in York, or anywhere else for that matter.”

He said:

“Of course there are some parents who refuse to take responsibility for their children but what we generally find is that both parents are struggling to find ways to continue providing care and financial security for their children. Family separation is a complex issue and this kind of sensationalism really doesn’t help anyone.”

He pointed out that the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission doesn’t just operate the statutory maintenance scheme but helps parents to make their own private arrangements for maintenance.

“We know that private agreements work better because they allow individual circumstances to be reflected. Parents are happier and more money flows to children. The Centre for Separated Families helped train the Commission’s Child Maintenance Options service which is doing fantastic work in helping parents to sort things out for themselves.”

“What we need are services that can help parents to untangle the ending of their relationship in ways that best help their children, not campaigns like this which serve only to create greater divisions.”

ENDS

Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities

Are you parenting alone with children between the ages of 6 and 14?

Would you like help dealing with the new, and often challenging, behaviours that appear in this age group?

And would you like to build a support network in a fun and informal setting with other separated parents?

Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities is running a specific programme for mums, dads and carers bringing up children on their own in the new year. York Brewery Meeting Rooms, starting Wednesday 6 January 2010, 10.30am – 2pm (Term time). Lunch and childcare included.

To find out more or book a place, call or text Louise on 07823 336 951 or Liz on 07833 482 284 or email liz.savage@york.gov.uk

Link: Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities