The Family Policy Project

The Family Policy Project builds on previous research by the Relationships Foundation and focuses on the family as the key relational unit in society. Our recent Wellbeing Series highlighted the importance of relationships to wellbeing. Family is the most important relationship for most people.

Families affect every area of policy. Family relationships are key to social progress and have come to greater prominence in political debate due to their links to a wide range of social outcomes. This influence is demonstrated by the penumbra which shows why all policy should be family proofed. Family is not just a private issue or the concern of lobbying groups, but is a key determining factor in achieving a range of policy objectives.

The Family Policy Project will focus on three areas:

The Family Policy Project will build on the framework set out in our previous work, applying it in areas such as health, welfare, housing, work, business and education. It will look at a wide range of family relations including the extended family, couple relationships, and parent and child interactions.

Family policy and the coalition government

We have argued that there needs to be cabinet level leadership of family policy that is not solely linked to any one spending department. We welcomed the Childhood and Families Task Force and have suggested a broad remit for its work.