The Conservative party has proposed the introduction of Australian-style family relationship centres to help counsel unhappy couples, it has been reported.

According to the Times, David Cameron perceives the centres as a way of keeping families together or, if not, then ensuring the split is as painless as possible.

This would mean protecting the children's interests through well-planned child contact arrangements and assets splits, often arranged through solicitors.

Mr Cameron has blamed a number of social problems on inappropriate divorce arrangements.

He commented: "We'll never get to the heart of the big problems we face ... if we don't help the family to do the vital work it does in bringing up children."

Research by the Centre for Social Justice has also agreed with these conclusions saying that a supportive environment is one of the most important factors in ensuring children succeed in education and avoid getting involved in violence.

The Belfast Telegraph has recently reported that some parents in Northern Ireland are faking divorce in order to get their children into what are perceived as being "better" schools after the scrapping of the 11-plus.

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