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Whats been happening in the news? Read More
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FAMILY JUSTICE
The government has set out plans to improve the family justice system, which aim to give children a better chance of maintaining good relationships with both parents in the event of separation or divorce. Among the proposals is an increased emphasis on the use of mediation as a way of getting couples to agree on practical arrangements which safeguard the interests of the children. To read the Green Paper, 'Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities', click here.
To find out how mediation can help families to reach workable solutions to practical issues of parenting away from the confrontational environment of the courts, read Jane Butler's article on The Role of the Family Mediator.
For advice and support in situations of family breakdown, read Tigerchild's article on Separation and Divorce.
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BABY BOND
The government's new savings scheme for children has been launched. Children born on or after September 1st 2002 will receive £250 each, rising to £500 for low-income families (those whose income is less than £13,480 pa). The money, in the form of a voucher, must be invested in a recognised Child Trust Fund, and may be topped up by relatives and friends to a limit of £1,200 a year. The money cannot be accessed until the child is 18 years old.
For more details about how the funds will work and which organisations will be offering them, click here. For information which funds are offering the best deals, try www.moneysavingexpert.com or go to an independent financial advisor.
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STOP THE BULLIES
One in five parents has a child who has been bullied in the past year, according to a survey by the NCPTA, the umbrella organisation for Parent Teachers Associations, who talked to 1,600 parents. Incidents vary from the relatively minor, to the truely horrifying, such as the one involving forty teenage girls at a Bournemouth school. It is worth remembering that for every parent whose child is being bullied there is a parent whose child is doing the bullying. It can come as a shock to discover your child is the troublemaker, but such behaviour can often be a symptom of problems at home. Parentline Plus runs a free helpline for families going through difficult situations - call them on 0808 800 2222. For more information on what to do if your child is being bullied, we have lots of advice and support in our article on bullying.
Meanwhile the parents group Action on Rights for Children is campaigning for schools to be made legally responsible for preventing bullying at school. To find out more, click here.
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NURSERY EDUCATION
Children who attend a good nursery school do significantly better at school, according to a study for the Department for Education and Science. The study showed that children who had access to pre-school education performed better at Key Stage 1 assessments, particularly in Maths and English, than those who did not, with those from disadvantged backgrounds gaining the most benefit. The study, the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education, goes on to identify the characteristics of a good nursery, as well as looking at the influence of parental involvement in the child's development.
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HOME BIRTHS
A woman's chance of being able to give birth at home may depend on where she lives, according to the charity the National Childbirth Trust. Statistics show that, for example, 12 times as many women in Devon had home births than in Northumberland. (In Devon, nearly 6 per cent of babies born were delivered at home, compared with fewer than half a per cent in Northumberland). In the whole of the UK, only around 2 per cent of women have home deliveries, even though, according to the NCT, home births are far less demanding on NHS resources. The NCT would like NHS Trusts to provide more flexible maternity services, with all women offered home birth as an option where medically possible.
Do you think every mother has the right to deliver her baby at home? Let us know your views on Tigerforum.
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