Closed petition: Commit to not removing the presumption of parental involvement

Closed on 20 November 2025

The Government has said it has reviewed the presumption of parental involvement, and will publish its findings. We think the Government should clearly commit to not removing the presumption.

We think doing so could:

- impact all children and all parents, most of whom are good-enough to raise a child.

- increase fear when parents separate, leading to increased conflict & stress.

- go against attachment theory and cause harm.

- widen inconsistency with public law cases where parents may be given the opportunity to change.

- Cause longer delays re-establishing contact between parent/child where false allegations have been made, by which time significant harm may occur.

Existing provision already exists to stop involvement when "significant harm" has occurred.