Putting Families First

01/09/2026

A family court judge has agreed to the “exceptional course” of suspending all contact between a father and his child for three years to allow the mother time to recover from complex-post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).

Thoughts?

11/07/2026

A Putting Families First Statement on the tragic death of Ann Widdecombe.

We are closely following the circumstances being reported in the media. As a community of people who have experienced the Family Law system, or know someone who has, this news hits that little bit deeper.

Please like, follow and share our page. By raising awareness and continuing to campaign for meaningful reform, we can help ensure that stories like Ann's are not forgotten.

03/07/2026

The absolute sh*te to come out of the mouth of Sarah Sackman. Scum!

30/06/2026

BREAKING: Which Government are we supposed to believe?

Today, the UK Government reportedly claimed that "parental alienation is a discredited concept with no evidential basis."

That statement doesn't just dismiss thousands of parents and children.

It appears to contradict the Government's own previous position.

In a letter sent to me by the Ministry of Justice, the Government acknowledged that: "Cafcass practitioners are trained to assess... behaviours that may be harmful to a child's welfare, including behaviours sometimes described as 'alienating'."

It also confirmed: "Cafcass will report any concerns about alienating behaviours by a parent to the court."

So which is true?

If there is "no evidential basis", why are family court professionals trained to identify alienating behaviours? Why are judges asked to consider them? Why has the Family Justice Council produced guidance on how courts should deal with allegations of alienating behaviour?

This isn't about labelling people.

This isn't about Parental Alienation Syndrome.

This is about children being manipulated into rejecting a loving parent. It is about emotional harm. It is about families being torn apart.

At Putting Families First, we refuse to allow those children to become invisible because acknowledging their experiences is politically inconvenient.

If the Government genuinely believes there is "no evidential basis", then it should have no objection to an independent review.

That is exactly why we have launched our Parliamentary petition.

We are calling on Parliament to investigate the scale of parental alienation, examine how the courts and public bodies respond, assess the impact on children, and deliver evidence-based reforms that protect parent-child relationships.

If the Government is confident in its position, let the evidence speak.

If it isn't, then it should stop dismissing the lived experiences of thousands of British families.

Children deserve better than political slogans. They deserve the truth.

Please sign and share our petition:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/768372

Because protecting a child's relationship with a safe, loving parent should never be a political issue.

25/06/2026

The findings of the Nottingham Maternity Review are both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.

More than 2,500 families came forward to share their experiences, with the review identifying widespread failings in maternity care that led to avoidable harm, life-changing injuries, and the deaths of mothers and babies. The report highlights a culture where concerns were too often dismissed, warning signs were missed, and families were not listened to.

At Putting Families First, we believe every family has the right to expect safe, compassionate and accountable care when bringing a child into the world. When systems fail, there must be transparency, accountability and meaningful action to ensure the same mistakes are never repeated.

This report is not just about Nottingham. It raises serious questions about safeguarding, professional accountability and whether families across the country are being properly heard when they raise concerns.

We stand with the families who fought tirelessly for answers, many of whom spent years campaigning to have their voices heard. Their courage has exposed failures that should never have occurred.

Now the focus must be on delivering real change, supporting affected families, and ensuring that every parent can have confidence that concerns about their child or their own care will be taken seriously.

Families deserve better. Children deserve better. The system must do better.

23/06/2026

Another child has lost their life. Another family has been devastated. Another case where serious abuse is alleged to have continued over a prolonged period before ending in tragedy.

According to evidence heard in court, two-year-old Isabelle Rose Welsh suffered a sustained campaign of violence, including multiple injuries over a number of weeks, before suffering the fatal injuries that led to her death.

As this case progresses through the courts, our thoughts must remain with Isabelle and those who loved her.

At Putting Families First, we believe these tragedies raise difficult but necessary questions:

Were there warning signs?

Were concerns raised by family members, professionals or members of the public?

Were opportunities missed to intervene?

What lessons can be learned to better protect vulnerable children?

Every child deserves to grow up safe, loved and protected. When safeguarding systems fail, there must be accountability, transparency and a commitment to learning from mistakes.

We cannot keep waiting until a child has died before asking whether more could have been done.

Children must come first. Always.

23/06/2026

233 Signatures. Can we get anymore???

Petition: Hold a review into the effects of parental alienation on families

We are calling on the UK Government to launch a review into parental alienation, examining its scale, how courts and services respond, and the impact on children. The review must deliver clear reforms to protect parent-child relationships and ensure fair, evidence-based decisions.

We are calling on the UK Government to launch a review into parental alienation, examining its scale, how courts and services respond, and the impact on children. The review must deliver clear reforms to protect parent-child relationships and ensure fair, evidence-based decisions.

22/06/2026

Sir Keir Starmer has said that his most important job includes being a dad.

As a campaign group that supports children having meaningful relationships with both parents, we find that statement slightly ironic.

During his time in office, thousands of parents continued to be denied contact with their children, proposed legislation is moving the wrong way, while meaningful reform to child maintenance failed to materialise.

As the political landscape changes, we will watch with interest to see who takes his place and, more importantly, whether they are prepared to recognise that children need both parents.

12/06/2026

WORLD CUP KICK-OFF

Major football tournaments lead to an increase in domestic abuse.

As the World Cup approaches, support is available to anyone concerned about their safety, a friend, family member or neighbour. Acting early can help keep people safe.

For FREE, confidential advice/support, call Hampshire Domestic Abuse on 03300 165 112

Find out more: https://stopdomesticabuse.uk/get-help/"

Get confidential domestic abuse support now. Call our helpline, access services and speak to trained staff across Hampshire.

07/06/2026

Please keep this petition going strong!

Petition: Hold a review into the effects of parental alienation on families

We are calling on the UK Government to launch a review into parental alienation, examining its scale, how courts and services respond, and the impact on children. The review must deliver clear reforms to protect parent-child relationships and ensure fair, evidence-based decisions.

We are calling on the UK Government to launch a review into parental alienation, examining its scale, how courts and services respond, and the impact on children. The review must deliver clear reforms to protect parent-child relationships and ensure fair, evidence-based decisions.