Policy papers

The following documents have been drawn up by Family Rights Group, often in conjunction with other organisations, setting out changes required in policy and practice to improve the lives of children and their families

• Submission to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee - Family Rights Group's May 2008 submission to the DWP select Committee carers inquiry - the submission focuses on the situation of relatives raising children who cannot live with their parents.
• Submission to the House of Commons Children, School and Families Select Committee (plus appendix) - Family Rights Group's March 2008 submission on the role of the state in supporting relatives raising children who cannot live with their parents.

• Briefing for the Second Reading of the Children and Young Persons Bill by Family Rights Group- the second reading of the Bill took place on the 26th November 2007, it was be in committee stage in the new year. 

• Response to the Public Law Outline - The government is currently developing new proposals for the management of care proceedings with particular emphasis on how local authorities should work with families before proceedings are issued. This includes families being given a clear statement of the local authority's concerns about their child, having access to independent legal advice before proceedings are issued and in many cases being offered a family group conference. The government has recently consulted on initial proposals for these changes, to which Family Rights Group has submitted joint responses prepared collaboratively with BAAF.

• Response to Volume 1 Draft Guidance on Children Act 1989: Court Orders by British Association for Adoption and Fostering and Family Rights Group

• Family and Friends care - Family Rights Group has drawn up, in conjunction with other key voluntary organisations, a policy briefing setting out recommendations designed to prevent children unnecessarily being raised outside their family, and to improve the outcomes for children who cannot live with their parents and who are living with relatives. We welcome support from individuals, organisations and local authorities in promoting these recommendations.
• Response by Family Rights Group on behalf of the Family Policy Alliance to the Government Green Paper 'Care Matters'
  
• Response from Family Rights Group on behalf of the Family Policy Alliance to the Government's draft for public consultation on Working Together to Safeguard Children.
  
• Supporting Children and Families - a policy briefing by the Family Policy Alliance setting out recommendations that would improve the lives of families of children in need.
  
• A joint grandparents manifesto from Grandparents Association, Grandparents Plus and Family Rights Group
  
• House of Commons Education and Skills Committee: Submission by Family Policy Alliance
  
• Submission by Family Policy Alliance to the Commission on Families and Wellbeing of Children
  
• Green Paper Response: Every Child Matters
  
• Green Paper on Children at Risk
  
• Family and Friends Care: Briefing Paper
  
• Special Guardianship: Briefing Paper