Background to the Research

• This study aimed to provide data which could be used to inform service development to meet the needs of the lone parent population more effectively; to identify gaps in service delivery and to provide a basis for information sharing and a more co-ordinated approach to service provision; and to offer a rationale for funding and developing new and existing services to lone parents and their children.

Research Approach

• A questionnaire survey of lone parents aged 18 or under with dependent children in the Northern Board area was carried out.
• Focus Groups were held with 15 lone parents, drawn from all districts of the Board area, except Magherafelt.
  

Main Findings

Income and Living Standards

• The study presents an analysis of an overwhelmingly female population, a majority of whom have separated from a stable relationship. Most are in the twenties to thirties age group. While not entirely homogenous, the one parent families surveyed are for the most part the poorest families in Northern Ireland.
• Over three-quarters of the sample were not in paid employment and nearly three-quarters of this group were occupied in looking after the home and family, though it is not entirely clear whether this is a situation of choice or whether it is related to a lack of employment, training or childcare opportunities.
• Over 90% of the lone parents surveyed were living on weekly incomes of £150 or less, compared to the current Northern Ireland average household income of approximately £300 a week. Over 60% were in debt.
• Respondents were heavily reliant on state-benefits: three-quarters were receiving Income Support. Ten percent were owner-occupiers and 14% had cars (compared to a Northern Ireland household average of 66% on each of these measures).

Physical and Emotional Health

• The majority of respondents rated their health as good, although just under half rated their health as either fair or poor and a minority reported suffering pain or severe restrictions on daily activities, to an extent that would suggest disability or long-term illness.
• A number of respondents had children with disabilities and 11% were in receipt of DLA, either for themselves of their children.
• A majority of the sample reported recent fatigue and a substantial minority feelings of anxiety or depression. Nearly all were affected by a range of stresses, particularly money worries, loneliness and isolation and not getting a break from parenting and to a lesser extent, concerns over children's health and behaviour, conflict with ex-partner and inability to gain employment.

Seeking Help

• A majority of respondents had contacted two or more agencies (statutory and voluntary services as well as self-help/support groups) but around one fifth had apparently contacted none in relation to problems or stresses they had experienced.
• Lone parents has sought help for a wide variety of reasons but a striking finding of the research is that depression and anxiety are a major reason for contact with doctors. Health visitors are consulted about children's health and to some extent for counselling and support of parents.
• Only a minority had used counselling and advice services and self-help/support groups but a half of those who had not used counselling and nearly 60% of those who had not joined a self-help/support group would like to do so, if possible.
• Amongst those who gave an opinion on the services they had received, the highest levels of satisfaction were reported in respect of self-help and support groups. Rather lower satisfaction ratings were given for social work services, though a majority of those who commented on this service had been helped.

Childcare

• Nine out of ten respondents had used or were using some form of childcare and the majority of these had used more than one option. The largest numbers had relied on informal childcare, by babysitters and friends and relatives. Pre-school groups, nursery schools and mother and toddler groups had also been used, but only 15% had turned to childminders.
• Only a third of respondents stated a weekly childcare cost. However, 12% of the sample were paying at least £60 a week for this service. There was clear evidence in the research that for many lone parents, the expense and availability of childcare is an important issue. Improvements in provision of this service are likely to enhance their employment opportunities and mitigate social isolation.

Parents and Children After Family Breakdown

• Half of the children of the lone parents surveyed had no contact or minimal contact with their non-custodial parent, though a majority of the children still in contact saw their other parent at least once a week. Contact declined however with the length of time the parents were separated.
• Two thirds of those respondents whose children were still in contact with their other parent had an unsatisfactory or fair relationship with their ex-partner, though only about a fifth identified a worse relationship between the children and non-custodial parent
• A similar proportion of all the children were reported by the lone parent to be showing behavioural disturbances as a result of being in a one parent family but very small numbers of children appeared to have had contact with helping services.
• Smaller percentages of children, as compared to adults, were reported to have desired counselling or support groups services, had these been known about or available locally.