Family Room partners

The Family Room Manifesto

The Family Room calls on all political parites to commit to the following points to improve the services families use and the environment in which children grow up.

End child poverty by 2020

Good outcomes for children and families will never be achieved unless poverty and inequality are addressed. There needs to be a renewed focus on the commitment to end child poverty by 2020. Fiscal measures and the creation of good jobs need to be coupled with targeted family support to help mothers, fathers and carers have the confidence, skills and education to be in a position to go into flexible good quality work which will keep their families out of poverty. Additional effort needs to be focused on developing the aspirations of families who have never been part of the formal local employment economy.

Recognise the importance of parents and good parenting in building stronger families and stronger communities

Good parenting is a cornerstone of strong families – government should continue to ensure mothers, fathers and carers are supported to provide their children with a positive upbringing. In times of economic hardship, families and family relationships face additional pressures. Advice, support and education should be available to parents to help them in their parenting roles, delivered in ways which promote respectful and empowering attitudes and which value parents' unique knowledge of their own children, and with authority and decisiveness where children are in danger of suffering harm in their families.

Invest in good relationships between parents whether they are together or apart

Conflict and violence between parents and within the family is bad for children. Couples experiencing relationship difficulties should be able to easily access support to improve their relationship. Where conflict or violence exist, the safety of children and adults is the top priority. Where it is safe to do so, separated parents should both be supported to maintain a parenting alliance and reduce post-separation conflict in order to meet their children's needs.

Enshrine flexible working as a right for fathers and mothers to improve family wellbeing

The right to flexible working (not just the right to ask for it) should be made available to both mothers and fathers without fear of stigmatisation in their work place. When coupled with equal access to affordable and quality childcare this will help them fulfil their work commitments, which would provide greater incentives for employers to keep parents in jobs irrespective of the hours they work.

Recognise the work that voluntary services do with families as complementary to statutory services

Local government needs to better recognise the value and diversity of the voluntary sector by committing to intelligent commissioning and ensuring that the VCS is not only a vital delivery partner, but a crucial strategic ally to ensure continuity of support for families throughout the commissioning cycle.

Recruit and retain high calibre, well trained front line workers to make early intervention really work

Evidence shows that high calibre, well-trained front line workers and volunteers able to work effectively with the whole family are key to early intervention and positive outcomes for children and families. The importance of professional frontline staff whether paid or unpaid with manageable caseloads and excellent training and supervision cannot be overstated.

Last updated: 7th October 2009 at 11:10:30