The document discusses issues facing single parents in the UK based on a presentation by the Chief Executive of Gingerbread. It finds that 1.9 million single parents care for 3 million children, with most being female-led families. Single parents face higher risks of poverty, with over half living in poverty compared to only 20% of couple families. They also struggle with stigma and balancing parenting alone while maintaining contact with the non-resident parent. The presentation calls for more support for single parents through their parenting and maternity experiences.

1. Presentation to the NCT Annual Members conference 15 May 2010 Fiona Weir, Chief Executive Gingerbread

2. About Gingerbread Formed from the merger of One Parent Families and Gingerbread 92 years of campaigning, research and policy change Advice and information through the Single Parent Helpline, our website and publications Training – to build confidence and help them back to work

3. Issues affecting single parents Who single parents are Financial hardship/poverty Parenting ‘alone’, contact arrangements Stigma and self esteem Support needs advice, maternity services, peer support

4. Single Parents: the facts 1.9 million single parents, caring for 3 million children 92% female, 8% male 2% are teenage – average age is 36 30% of non working LPs have a child with a disability 50% used to be married, 5% are widowed 57% are in paid employment More likely to experience domestic violence, poor housing and depression

5. Family context at birth Within marriage 55% Cohabiting 30% Registered jointly 9% at separate addresses Registered by mother alone 6% Data from ONS 2008

6. Single parents and poverty 52% of single parent families in poverty (double the risk compared to couple families) Only 4 in 10 receiving child maintenance 31% run out of money before the end of the month most or all of the time, a third manage by cutting back on food

7. Single parents and poverty My kids have holes in their school uniform, need tracksuit bottoms for games lessons, at the moment I cannot afford either as what was ‘moveable’ money now pays for the increase in fuel and food bills 16% I’ve not put the heating on this year. I do not eat during the day to cut down my food bill. My daughter understands that I have no money so she does not want any Christmas presents I’ve noticed the kids are lying to friends about money and presents to keep face

8. Parenting on your own - contact Co-parenting 1 in 10 divide their time equally between their mum and dad 29% never see their non-resident parent. 11% of resident parents with contact reported concerns at some point about drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, or child abuse 71% see their ‘non-resident’ parent (usually father) fairly regularly. 57% of these find have continuing problems.

9. Single parenting and stigma “ Broken” families, feckless parents, feral children Two major evidence reviews in 2009 – one UK on international show that it is not single parenthood itself that causes poor outcomes for a minority of children but the poverty and conflict that families experience .

10. Let’s lose the labels Challenging stereotyping and stigma Responding to what single parents tell us Focus on ‘scrounger’ and ‘bad mother’ Three party leaders back campaign pledge ahead of general election Campaign video and media coverage provokes lively debate

11. Single parents & maternity services Single parents responded more negatively to almost all questions than women with partner/husband. Less likely to access care within 12 weeks of pregnancy have a scan attend NHS antenatal classes have a postnatal check up initiate breastfeeding More likely to experience complications J R Soc Med 2010

12. Self esteem during pregnancy Impact of attitudes of care givers, midwives and other is paramount to: feelings of confidence at having a successful pregnancy feelings of self efficacy to act out any health behaviour changes (breastfeeding, stop smoking) especially if inaccurate advice from ‘powerful others’ in social networks Initial reactions (especially with teenage parents) can set the tone for the confidence of the young person believing they can successfully carry, give birth to and parent their child.

13. Money and practical advice Pressing need to deal with benefits or housing - 362k applications for SSMG only 72.9% awarded Engaging the father Identifying domestic violence – and implications e.g joint birth registration SIGNPOST to specialist advice

14. Call data March 2009 Calls to the Single Parent Helpline

15. Pregnant and single? Gingerbread offers: Positive non judgemental approach Single Parent Help and Advice Line Gingerbread peer support groups Information online – wide range of factsheets Single parent and practitioner training Signposting Giving birth Money Contact with the other parent Isolation