A group of children’s charities has campaigned successfully for a ‘shared parenting’ amendment to be made to the Children and Families Bill.
The Shared Parenting Consortium, which includes the NSPCC, had previously made clear its concerns regarding the adoption of clause 11, which states that family courts should “presume, unless the contrary is shown, that involvement of that parent in the life of the child concerned will further the child’s welfare.”
The group believed that this clause could lead to parents who are separating assuming that they are bound by law to share access to their children equally, something which could result in the welfare of children being endangered.
Putting the welfare of the child ahead of an assumption of shared access is key, the group said, confirming that it was looking to ensure that the interests of the child were the top concern when deciding on access arrangements.
Following the campaign by the group, an amendment to clause 11 was approved by the House of Lords, which clarifies that “involvement” means an involvement of some kind, be it direct involvement or indirect, rather than any set division of a child’s time.
Following its third reading in the House of Lords yesterday, 5 February, the bill is now to be sent back to the Commons for consideration of the amendments.