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Special Report: Family courts and care proceedings

1 min read Children's Services Social Care
The family court deals with some of the most sensitive cases involving vulnerable families, overseeing care proceedings, ensuring parents receive support and that decisions taken are in the best interests of children.
The family court deals with some of the most sensitive cases involving vulnerable families. Picture: New Africa/Adobe Stock
The family court deals with some of the most sensitive cases involving vulnerable families. Picture: New Africa/Adobe Stock

In recent years, the family courts have encountered several challenges including the disruption caused by Covid-19, the post-pandemic catch up in casework, and the overall rise in the number of children in the care system.

Despite the post-pandemic decline in care applications, the length of proceedings has grown with less than a quarter now being completed within the target timescale – an issue widely blamed on cuts to family courts slowing down decision making processes.

The decline in orders being made reflects local efforts by children’s services departments and charities to work more intensively with families on the edge of care to prevent proceedings being needed. Children’s services leaders hope the emphasis on early help in the Care Review reforms will embed such practice nationally.

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