150,000 -200,000 breakdowns involving children each year but the survey uncovered persistent stereotypes of lone parent. Although divorce was at its lowest figure for serveral years this does not count cohabiting couplesMore than 20 million people in the UK equal to around a third, are now direclty affected by divorce or separation either through their own relationship or their parents'. If you add in grandparents, almost half the population of Britain are affected, a poll by Centre for Separated Families found. Only a third of respondents had received professional advice usually from solicitors.
But support appears inadequate: 3/4 of those getting help said they needed more support and more than half the people surveyed complained of lack of attendtion to the needs of non resident parents in caring for their children. Desrcribed as' a crises of inadequate help for families.' by Karen Woodhall director of the centre and co-author of 'Putting Children First' a new handbook aimed at families. 'Where there is ongoing conflict children can be damaged. We want to see services that engage and support all parents in providing what children need in order for them to realise their full potential.' said Woodhall.

150,000 -200,000 breakdowns involving children each year but the survey uncovered persistent stereotypes of lone parent. Although divorce was at its lowest figure for serveral years this does not count cohabiting couples

Guardian September 12th 2007, by Lucy Ward 'Divorce and Separation affect one in three.' To read more go to www.guardian.co.uk