To think CSA are not doing all they could.

[phoebeflangey]

Cant believe someone can sleep at night that doesnt provide for their child. Ex in and out of work, and I asked CSA to do an attachment of earnings order as this has happened three times in a year, and they said as long as he intends to make a payment then they have to give the benefit of the doubt?! I understand I am lucky to even have £20 a month, as some dont get anything at all, but this payment was a lot more and included arrears, and stupidly I was depending on it. I have been left with £20k debt that I stupidly put in my name (over many years, due to his credit rating) that I am now having to pay via a debt charity, thus affecting my credit now. I work 55 hours a week, and manage all childcare and the bringing up of dd. I just feel so bloody angry

Fideline worded it much better than I could.

Men SHOULD provide for their children, but the fact is far too many do not. I see it in the same light as warning a daughter about date rape - again it shouldn't happen, but it does, all too frequently for comfort.

In both cases the man seems to get off scott free all too often, no matter what the law says. This is because the societal and political will to ENFORCE the law just isn't there. What should be happening is of no comfort to the parent with care who is beside themselves with worry about how to source the next pair of school shoes.

I think boc meant that women should be warned that society and the UK government have no will to ensure that men financially support their children and that we as women should therefore plan for being left in the lurch, disgusting though that is.
Yes, if this is the only way to get it recognised semi-officially then it may actually mean people took more notice. I want to ensure DD knows full well that it is highly likely that if her future relationship breaks down she will have to shoulder all/over 80% financial responsibility for her kids. If there was ever an incentive to make our daughters strong and competent it is a crappy system like this!

Today I've been told that because my ex is doing an open university degree, it does not matter what he earns, he does not have to pay anything, not even the £3.33/week I got (for 3 whole weeks) when he was on benefits! When I asked to see the legislation that confirmed what they were telling me was correct they asked could I not find it on the internet. I give up. 3 years and a total of £9.99 received, and they've paid 2 amounts totalling £9.21 to a different bank account.

They've just told me now that the direct debit was cancelled but he told them it wasn't, he's also told them he's still working when they've got notification from benefits that he's claiming. Guess what, they've believed HIM??!!

Ah this will be the famous 'right to be believed' NRPs are 'entitled' to I suppose?

as long as he intends to make a payment

Funny how "intention" isn't used as a argument when it comes to rent, council tax, gas ,water ,electric etc. but its used when it comes to Child Support. Funny that.

Exactly!!!!

The CSA are utterly incompetent and clearly have no respect for the (usually) women who have to use them to force children's fathers to financially provide for them. I have been in contact with them since leaving my husband almost 2 years ago, and have to call them at least once a month even now because of mistakes they make. They informed me that bonus payments would be included in the payments made by my ex through the attachment of earnings order. This was set up because he refuses to support his children (he even told the CSA on the telephone that he would do all he could to not pay a penny to the 3 children), When I told the CSA that my ex's employer told me he had been paid a £20,000 bonus, they reported that because my ex said he hadn't received a bonus there was nothing they could do - and the children didn't see a penny. How can that possibly be right? There is no point in a law saying fathers are financially responsible for their children, when the relevant government body refuses to enforce this.