About us

The Commission is the Non-Departmental Public Body established to take responsibility for the child maintenance system in Great Britain.

The Commission’s primary objective is to maximise the number of effective child maintenance arrangements in place for children who live apart from one or both of their parents. These may be arranged privately or through the statutory scheme.

During 2008, the Commission began to offer information and support on the different child maintenance options available to parents. The Commission will also provide an efficient statutory child maintenance service with improved assessment, collection and enforcement processes. The new enforcement powers will be introduced from 2009/10. These changes will ensure parents take responsibility for providing financial support for their children.

The Commission operates at arms length from Government, enabling the Commission to harness a broad range of expertise from the public, private and third sectors.

The Commission is accountable to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for its performance. For further details about the relationship between the Commission and the Department for Work and Pensions, please see the Framework Document.