{"id":78716,"date":"2017-02-07T13:23:45","date_gmt":"2017-02-07T13:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=34bf271908a008d93002750694efc9f8"},"modified":"2017-02-07T13:23:45","modified_gmt":"2017-02-07T13:23:45","slug":"press-release-separated-parents-working-together-on-child-maintenance-arrangements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=78716","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Separated parents working together on child maintenance arrangements"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The parents of more than 15,900 children have set up \u2018family-based arrangements\u2019 for paying child maintenance after receiving information and support from Child Maintenance Options, which was set up in 2008 to help separated parents work together in the best interests of their children.<\/p>\n

Child Maintenance Options provides free, impartial support to help parents come to their own arrangements. Then, if that is not possible, they can turn to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS<\/abbr>). The CMS<\/abbr> supports parents to manage payments between themselves where they can, and helps those in difficult or vulnerable situations.<\/p>\n

Minister for Welfare Delivery Caroline Nokes said:<\/p>\n

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We know children grow up to have better health, emotional well-being and educational attainment if their parents \u2013 whether together or separated \u2013 have a positive relationship. All children deserve the best start in life and that\u2019s why, through Child Maintenance Options, we encourage separated couples to work together in the best interests of their children.<\/p>\n

But we also understand a minority of separated parents, especially those in difficult or vulnerable circumstances, won\u2019t be able to come to their own arrangements and our staff can give them that extra help.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Of the family based arrangements made by parents, for 87%, payments were regularly being made and a parent said it was working well.<\/p>\n

About the Child Maintenance Service and Child Maintenance Options<\/h2>\n

The CMS<\/abbr> is replacing the old Child Support Agency, which failed families because it was overly complex and did not encourage collaboration, plus did not provide value for taxpayers\u2019 money.<\/p>\n

Child Maintenance Options is there to help parents work things out. Child Maintenance Options<\/a> is a free service that provides impartial information and support to help separated parents make decisions about their child maintenance arrangements.<\/p>\n

Talking about child maintenance might feel like the last thing you want to do, especially if your relationship with the other parent is strained. But, in the long run, having this conversation as early as possible could mean you end up working together as parents rather than against each other.<\/p>\n

DWP Child Maintenance Options Service Manager Ian Wilkins said:<\/p>\n

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It can be tough when a family separates, but we know it is better for children if their parents can work together to reach an agreement on caring for them, including decisions about financial arrangements. Our staff are highly trained in providing support to separated, and separating, parents and have vast experience of dealing with a wide range of separation issues. If you require any information or support, please don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with us.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ian\u2019s 5 steps to working together on a family-based arrangement for your children:<\/p>\n

Step 1 \u2013 Find the right time<\/h3>\n

Sitting down to work out a child maintenance arrangement might seem a bit of a daunting task. But the quicker you can work out an arrangement, the clearer your child\u2019s future will seem and the more secure you\u2019ll feel.<\/p>\n

Step 2 \u2013 Work out what your child needs<\/h3>\n

The next step is to work out what your child needs, and how much this will cost. All children need clothes, food, and a roof over their heads. You might also need to think about child care costs or other costs dependent upon the age of your child.<\/p>\n

Step 3 \u2013 Decide how you will share the cost<\/h3>\n

How you share the cost of raising your child is for you and your ex-partner to decide. For example, you might agree to \u2018split the difference\u2019, or vary it according to how much money you each earn.<\/p>\n

Step 4 \u2013 Write it down<\/h3>\n

This way you\u2019ll both have a record of what\u2019s been agreed, and will have made a joint commitment to sticking to it.<\/p>\n

Step 5 \u2013 Do it and review it<\/h3>\n

Some parents decide to review their family-based arrangement every year, or when children reach milestones like birthdays or a change in schools.<\/p>\n

Our website, www.cmoptions.org<\/a>, contains a wealth of information about family-based arrangements, other ways of arranging child maintenance, as well as a library of tools, leaflets and information to help parents to calculate and talk about child maintenance, record a family-based arrangement and manage their finances.<\/p>\n

To speak to someone at Child Maintenance Options call 0800 988 0988.<\/p>\n

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Read the Effective family-based child maintenance arrangements: preliminary estimates, September 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Contact Press Office<\/h2>\n

Media enquiries for this press release \u2013 0203 267 5111<\/p>\n

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Press Office<\/h3>\n
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\nCaxton House
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\nTothill Street<\/span>
\nLondon<\/span>
\nSW1H 9NA<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only \u2013 not questions about personal claims)<\/span>
\n 020 3267 5144\n <\/p>\n

\n Out-of-hours (journalists only)<\/span>
\n 076 59 108 883\n <\/p>\n

\n England and Wales (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099\n <\/p>\n

\n Scotland (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 0131 310 1122\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Follow DWP on:<\/p>\n