Portsmouth · United Kingdom
Every child deserves the love and support of both parents.
Putting Families First is a campaign dedicated to reforming a broken system that too often divides parents and damages children. By reforming we protect relationships, promote equality, and ensure that every child has the love and support of both parents.
Reform the law
A Families Act that makes meaningful shared parenting the starting point, unless there is proven risk of harm.
Protect children
Treat the deliberate destruction of a child's bond with a loving parent as the safeguarding issue it is.
Support families
Early help, mediation and co-parenting support before conflict escalates into crisis and court.
Why we exist
The system defaults to division rather than balance.
Too many families are pushed into conflict instead of being supported to rebuild. Children grow up with one parent reduced to a visitor, not because it is right, but because that is what the process produces.
We are a community of people who have experienced the family law system, or know someone who has. We campaign for reform that protects relationships, promotes equality and keeps children at the centre of every decision.
Read our storyLive campaigns
What we're fighting for
Call a public inquiry into the effects of parental alienation
We are calling on the UK Government to launch a full public inquiry into parental alienation: examining its scale, how the courts and services respond, and the impact on children. Government currently refers to parental alienation as a "concept", for many families it is a reality with serious consequences.
Read more LiveDefend the presumption of parental involvement
Proposals to remove the legal presumption that contact with both parents is usually in a child's best interests may sound protective, but risk opening a very dangerous door. The law already allows contact to be restricted where there is evidence of harm, abuse or safeguarding concerns, that protection must remain.
Read more OngoingReform the Child Maintenance Service
Too many separated parents experience the frustration, inconsistency and emotional toll of a Child Maintenance Service that fails the families it is meant to support. A fairer, more accountable system should put children first rather than trapping parents in bureaucracy.
Read more OngoingSafeguarding that learns from tragedy
When safeguarding systems fail, there must be accountability, transparency and a commitment to learning from mistakes. Every child deserves to grow up safe, loved and protected, and no child should die before anyone asks whether more could have been done.
Read moreFrom the campaign
Latest news & statements
Statement · 4 November
A Putting Families First statement on the death of Ann Widdecombe
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. Whatever your political views, she was never afraid to stand up for what she believed in.
Safeguarding · 23 June
Another child has lost their life. Another family has been devastated.
As this case progresses through the courts, our thoughts remain with Isabelle and those who loved her, and these tragedies raise difficult but necessary questions.
Campaign · 10 June
Are British parents about to lose their parental rights?
A new proposal to remove the legal presumption that contact with both parents is usually in a child's best interests risks opening a very dangerous door.
Children must come first. Always.
Add your name, share your story, or ask your council to adopt the Putting Families First Charter.