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Legal firms back call for review of hair strand testing in care proceedings

2 mins read Social Care
Legal firms are backing a charity’s call for an urgent review of the use of hair strand testing in decisions about the care of children in public law proceedings.
DfE is being urged to respond to the Care Review before the end of the year. Picture: Adobe Stock
Advocates in court have been criticised for only providing summaries of results gained from hair strand testing - Adobe Stock

Birth Companions has joined forces with leading barristers at family law chambers 4PB and solicitors at MSB to launch the Taking a Strand campaign.

They have written an open letter to the High Court’s Family Division and the Family Justice Board calling for an urgent review of the practice.

The letter has so far gained support from more than 90 co-signatories, from more than 20 different organisations. 

The family courts use hair strand testing to establish drug and alcohol use among family members of children involved in cases.

Results from these tests are often a critical factor in decisions about whether children remain with their birth families or are taken into local authority care, according to experts, who warn that incorrect use of such testing could disproportionately impact families from Black and Asian backgrounds.

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