Member Article

National status for North East pilot project brings sectors together

Over seventy professionals with a keen interest in family law came together this week to celebrate the success of a North East pilot project.

The pilot helpline which was launched across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear less than a year ago, Support 4 Separated Parents (S4SP), has now been identified by The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as one of five national pilots commissioned by the government in a new package of support.

And to celebrate and showcase the work the helpline has been doing in the nine months since launched, an event sponsored by Gordon Brown Law Firm was held this week at The Baltic. On the back of the event, the MoJ will also be holding a workshop in the region.

The event was attended by a mix of professionals from the private, public and voluntary sector, all focused on helping parents and children in times of family crisis.

From mediators and solicitors, through to children’s and parents charities, child contact centres and court representatives, including HHJ Rachel Hudson, the group came together for a market place and conference as well as a networking session where support and ideas were exchanged.

Market Place exhibitors included Gordon Brown Law Firm, Impact Family Services, Victim Support, Families Need Fathers, NACCC, CAB and a number of mediation providers.

Carole Goodman of Cafcass opened the conference and speakers included Hazel Hedley who heads up the S4SP helpline, other providers of child support services and Simon Dakers of Gordon Brown who discussed legal aid options.

Hazel said: “Separating couples will now be helped by a new £2 million package of support aimed at avoiding expensive and confrontational courtroom battles.

“S4SP has been working towards this goal since early 2014, when it was set up to sign post parents to other services available that would help them avoid court.

“The event celebrated S4SP becoming part of a national initiative. Huge thanks to Gordon Brown Law Firm for supporting the event, and to all the speakers who helped us showcase how we are and can work together to take the strain off both families and courts in alleviating dispute when couples part.”

After the major changes to the Family Court in April 2014 and the recent announcement in November of a free mediation session for separating couples, the Government is announcing further initiatives to help people in the family and civil justice system. A new package of support has been developed aimed at keeping disputes away from court and providing better support for those who do end up in court.

HHJ Rachel Hudson said: “The new legislations are being put in place to ensure that when people separate that they do it in the best possible way.

“It is important that more people resolve their problems outside of the courts and I was pleased to attend and show my support to S4SP and the room of professionals trying to achieve just that.”