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| Care for the Family | |
|---|---|
| Name | Care for the Family |
| Type | Charity |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | James Dobson; Justin Welby (supporters) |
| Headquarters | Wales; Cardiff |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Focus | Family support, parenting, relationship education |
Care for the Family is a British charity focused on supporting families through counselling, parenting courses, relationship education and resources. Founded in 1988, it operates across the United Kingdom offering programs for parents, couples and children affected by separation, bereavement and other family stresses. The organisation has engaged with churches, health services and community groups, drawing on links with faith leaders, broadcasters and policy-makers.
The organisation emerged in the late 20th century amid debates involving figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair and social commentators discussing family policy. Early public profiles connected the charity with evangelical networks including leaders like John Stott and broadcasters such as Terry Wogan, and with debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and forums attended by members of the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church hierarchies. Over subsequent decades it responded to events such as the expansion of National Health Service family services, shifts in legislation including the Children Act 1989 and public inquiries into family welfare. Partnerships grew with organisations such as Relate, Barnardo's and Citizens Advice, while its materials featured at conferences alongside speakers from institutions like Oxford University, Cambridge University, Cardiff University and think tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research.
The charity states objectives that align with promoting stable relationships, parenting support and bereavement care, referencing work by researchers at University College London, King's College London, University of Manchester and policy frameworks debated in the Palace of Westminster. Its mission intersects with initiatives by non-profits including Save the Children, British Red Cross, Samaritans and faith-based actors like Tearfund and CAFOD. The organisation frames aims in relation to outcomes cited by international bodies such as the United Nations and reports by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Services have included parenting programmes, marriage and relationship workshops, bereavement support groups and online resources aimed at professionals and families. Delivery models echo curricula used by entities like Family Lives, Home-Start and Action for Children, and training has drawn on research from London School of Economics, University of Edinburgh and UCL Institute of Education. Public events and seminars have featured commentators and practitioners who have appeared alongside presenters from BBC Radio 4, ITV, Channel 4 and speakers from Theos and The Policy Exchange. The organisation has produced printed guides, digital courses and helplines comparable to services by MIND and Healthwatch England.
The governance structure follows charitable company norms with a board of trustees, executive directors and regional coordinators operating within regulatory frameworks administered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and reporting standards relevant to the Charities Act 2011. Boards have interacted with figures from the Church in Wales, diocesan officers of the Church of England and legal advisers familiar with cases in the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Advisory councils have included academics from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and practitioners linked to NHS England and local authority children's services.
Funding streams have combined donations, legacies, grants and fee‑for‑service contracts, similar to income models used by Oxfam, Shelter and The Salvation Army. The charity has sought grants from philanthropic foundations like the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and collaborated with statutory bodies including Public Health England and local councils. Corporate partnerships and event sponsorships have involved media partners such as BBC, retail and service organisations, and joint ventures with charities including Relate, Barnardo's and Family Action.
Assessments of impact reference evaluations by academics at University College London, policy reports from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and oversight by regulatory bodies including the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Supporters cite positive outcomes in parenting confidence and relationship resilience, measured in surveys analogous to those produced by Office for National Statistics and independent evaluators such as Nesta. Critics and commentators in outlets like The Guardian, The Telegraph and think tanks including Centre for Social Justice have debated the organisation's positioning in public debates on family policy, its engagement with faith communities including the Evangelical Alliance and perceived influences on ethical discussions in institutions such as the National Health Service and parliamentary committees. Reviews have prompted recommendations similar to those from inquiries into third-sector accountability led by figures connected to House of Lords committees and charity sector reviews.
Category:Charities based in Wales