Ministerial Visit

Maria Miller MP, the minister in charge of child maintenance, visited Isle of Wight Separated Families, on 21 Septaember 2011, to look at the range of services that we are delivering to parents and children across the island.

During her visit, the Minister was able to meet parents who had attended our six week Putting Children First course, as well as other professionals supporting parents on the island. The course, which is designed to help parents deal with separation in ways that minimise the impact on children, has proved very popular.

Leigh Hyatt, of Isle of Wight Separated Families said:

'We were absolutely delighted to be able to show the Minister the work that we're doing to help families cope with the issues that arise as a result of divorce or separation. As well as the emotional impact, parents have so many practical things that they need to deal with such as parenting time arrangements, child maintenance, housing and a whole host of other things.'

'There are lots of really excellent services on the island that can help families. Part of our role at Isle of Wight separated families is to make sure that parents know about them at times of crisis.'

'We're in the process of organising a new Putting Children First programme and the feedback we've had from parents who've been on the course shows that it's really making a difference in children's lives. Parents tell us that they feel much more confident and happier in themselves as well as understanding more about supporting their children as things change.'

The Government is currently reforming the child maintenance system and looking at how it can support more parents to make their own family based arrangements after separation.

Minister with responsibility for child maintenance, Maria Miller MP, with Leigh Hyatt of Isle of Wight Separated Families