Magna Carta, whose 800th anniversary has just been celebrated, set down some some basic principles that evolved over the centuries as democracy and legal process advanced into the broad rights and obligations we know today. The evolution has always been led by changes in society and the general expectations of what is fair and right.

The evolution of the part fathers play in parenting their children is following a similar path. It is clearly being led by changes in family structures within the wider economy and the expectations that fathers themselves have about their relationship with their children within marriage or long term relationship. There is general approval of this evolution at the wider level of public policy and also at individual level by both mothers and fathers. Unfortunately, when the relationship between parents breaks down attitudes often go into reverse to the disadvantage not only of the parents but also their children.

The FNF family (England, Wales and Scotland) has updated its Charter ahead of Father’s Day to remind legislators and professionals involved in the administration of family law of the principles which underpin the charity.

These are based around five key principles:

• No child should be denied a full and loving relationship with both their parents unless it has been proven that such a relationship presents a risk to the child;

• The family justice system should promote collaboration and shared parenting between parents following separation;

• Family courts need to respond swiftly to breaches of contact orders, to ensure that relationships between children and the parent they do not live with day-to-day are not compromised;

• Information and support services should be easily accessible for separated parents throughout the different pathways of the family justice system;

• The important contribution of fathers, mothers, grandparents and the wider family should be promoted wherever possible, in both family policy and wider society.

The Charter has been compiled by Families Need Fathers charities in England, Wales and Scotland. This version of the Charter is intended for use in Scotland.

Families Need Fathers Scotland starts the new year with the news that we have now been recognised as a Scottish charity - number SC042817. 

This means that we are now a separate Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation- still linked to Families Need Fathers, but with our own board of trustees.  An SCIO is a new legal form for Scottish charities which gives incorporated status without having to form a separate limited company.

Unlike some UK charities, who register with the Scottish Charity Regulator as cross-border charities under the aegis of their UK parent body, FNF Scotland has registered as a separate organisation. 

Our Welsh counterpart FNF Cymru has also registered as a separate charity, but we share common aims and policies with Families Need Fathers and will continue to use the name alongside our other working title "Both Parents Matter Scotland".

All members of Families Need Fathers living in Scotland are members of FNF Scotland, and members living elsewhere who have children or other interests in Scotland can also be included as members.  At present there is no separate joining fee for FNF Scotland.

During 2012 we will continue to lobby the Scottish Parliament and other Scottish institutions to recognise the importance of keeping both parents involved with their children after separation.