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The government has rejected calls by campaigners to introduce a law that would prevent separated parents being granted contact with their children until it is proven to be safe, writes Sally Gillen.

Campaigners, including Women’s Aid, had called for the change in submissions to the green paper on parental separation, published last July.

But in the follow-up document published today, the government says it will not make the change.

Instead it will introduce a gateway form that will allow courts to be informed about allegations of domestic violence at the beginning of a case, and an integrated domestic violence court will be set up.

Extra funding for contact centres was also announced by education secretary Ruth Kelly, which will see funding increased by £3 million in 2006/07 and £5 million in 2007/08.

A bill will be published within a fortnight setting out new powers for courts to use in ensuring contact orders are properly enforced, which are likely to include fines and unpaid work within the community.

Parental separation: Children’s Needs and Parents’ Responsibilities  www.tso.co.uk/bookshop