For immediate release – June 2^nd 2008

 

Joint Registration plans recognise that both parents matter from birth – FNF Press Release

 

 

- Government announces plans expecting both parents to be named on birth certificate

 

- Families Need Fathers (FNF) applauds removal of ‘unnecessary obstacles’ to parental responsibility

 

A White Paper published today by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Work and Pensions has at last proposed new requirements for the birth registration of children. After years of campaigning by FNF, ‘Recording Responsibility’¹ proposes that both the mother and father of a newborn would be obliged to be entered on the birth certificate unless the registrar deemed it ‘impossible, impractical or unreasonable’. The process of registration would also be streamlined and increased information provided, to assist understanding and encourage parents to register voluntarily.

 

Each year 45,000 children are registered with only one parent’s name on the birth certificate. A father who is not named on a birth certificate does not have Parental Responsibility in law, and thus is not party to crucial decisions about a child’s upbringing, including schooling, medical treatment and religion. FNF therefore applauds proposals to promote the close involvement of both parents, and strongly agree with ‘Recording Responsibility’ that ‘engaging fathers around the time of their child's birth, including through being registered as father, is important in establishing that close involvement.’

 

Charles Kenyon, chair of Families Need Fathers, said “We are extremely pleased that the DCFS and DWP have proposed tangible steps to promote the involvement of both parents from birth. By ensuring positive action towards joint birth registration, we will strengthen family life and promote shared parenting by better enabling both mothers and fathers to carry out their parental responsibilities, and giving children a stronger sense of security and identity.”

 

¹ The White Paper Joint birth registration: Recording responsibility - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0105

 

Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

 

For comment or information please contact:

Nick Barnard, Director of Communications 07979 206 384

John Baker, FNF Chair 07881 644 917

Jon Davies, FNF CEO 07976 935 986

Becky Sibert, Policy & Information Officer 020 7613 5060

 

Please see Families Need Fathers ‘programme for change’ Father’s Day Manifesto at

http://www.fnf.org.uk/publications-resources/articles/fathers-day-manifesto