The Government has unveiled plans to set up an Innovation Fund to promote collaborative parenting in families going through separation or divorce.

The fund will be worth up to £14 million over two years, and will be used to provide support services to help parents foster collaborative relationships with each other after separation, including agreeing child maintenance.

The Child Support Agency currently costs the taxpayer approximately £0.5 billion per annum. Department for Work and Pensions research has suggested that the majority of separated parents currently using the CSA believe they would be likely to make their own maintenance arrangements with the right help and support.

Other support services to be provided from fund include:

• Mediation
• Web based support
• Financial information and advice
• Telephone support, including ‘hand holding’ through services
• Emotional support
• Face to face support
• Intensive parenting counselling