According to a survey for the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, children could be missing out because too many parents don’t know how to sort out child maintenance after separation.

The Yougov survey of over 900 separated parents with children aged 18 or below, found that:

• 93% believe mothers and fathers still have a financial responsibility to their kids even if they don’t live with them
• 36% say they didn’t know where to go to get impartial information about child maintenance.
• 27% were unaware they could make maintenance arrangements privately, without involving third parties
• 52% believe an impartial, confidential information service would have been helpful during separation

The survey coincides with the launch of a national campaign to promote Child Maintenance Options, the free public information and support service which helps separated parents decide which child maintenance arrangement best suits their circumstances.

Further information is available from the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission’s press release.