Research and analysis

Direct Pay research 2017 to 2019

These are the main findings from research on parents’ experiences of the Direct Pay child maintenance scheme.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 14 July 2022

Documents

Summary: Direct Pay research 2017 to 2019

HTML

Direct Pay research 2017 to 2019

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-401-3, Research report 1017

HTML

Direct Pay research 2017 to 2019

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-401-3, Research report 1017

PDF, 686 KB, 57 pages

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Details

Summary

This report outlines the main findings from research on parents’ experiences of the Direct Pay child maintenance scheme between 2017-2019.

Research background

Direct Pay is one of two service types within the statutory maintenance scheme introduced in 2012 as part of an extensive programme of reform to the child maintenance system. Under Direct Pay, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) calculates a legally binding payment amount, but it is then up to the paying parent to make arrangements to pay this to the receiving parent. The CMS can facilitate this where parents need additional support and step in when they are notified if the arrangement doesn’t work.

Contribution to the evidence base

Direct Pay is the most common type of maintenance arrangement the CMS is involved in. However, as payments are made directly between parents, there is a lack of robust information about how these arrangements work in practice after the initial calculation. This research was intended to fill that gap, building on earlier research on Direct Pay conducted between 2015 and 2016

This current report increases our understanding of:

• The decision-making process around setting up a Direct Pay arrangement
• What types of arrangements Receiving Parents have in place three and thirteen months after receiving a Direct Pay calculation
• Receiving Parents perceptions on how well their arrangement is working
• Why parents have no arrangement
• The effects of the CMS charges on deciding which arrangement to set up
• Paying Parents’ perceptions of Direct Pay

The research adds to our understanding of how policy intentions are working in practice. The research is also used to inform future policy development and evaluate whether CMS operational processes are supporting parents effectively.

Other Information

Official statistics on the Child Maintenance Service are published quarterly

Published 14 July 2022