Letters to the Editor: Remembering Ronke Martins-Taylor

Ronke has touched the lives of so many people. Her smile, care and positivity was always so infectious. Sometimes quietly nudging, sometimes less subtly as she always saw potential in others and her encouragement that anything was possible has supported many to reach their full potential.

Ronke’s connection to young people was so genuine, with her approach supporting their talents and strengths, advocating, being relentless and never accepting anything but the best for them.

Ronke was one of the disproportionally few black managers that progressed into the senior ranks of our professions and her illness definitely robbed her of the director of children’s services (DCS) role she so richly deserved.

That said, over her too short career, she proved to be an inspirational and outstanding leader whose contribution to the sector has left an impact on so many young people’s lives. Her passion, commitment, wisdom and humour was reflected in her work with young offenders and youth services. Her absolute determination to do the right thing meant she was never reluctant to step forward with uncomfortable messages for those in charge – from managers, directors, chief executives, mayors and even ministers.

Ronke had a clear and fearless intellect which was put to good use in senior positions in several London boroughs over the last 20 years where she led on youth justice services, services for young people and as a second-in-command in Tower Hamlets children’s services for the last four years.

At the end of the day, we are all judged by what we leave behind…in Ronke’s case she leaves a professional legacy of improved services for children in London together with that magical combination of inspiration, humour and pragmatism needed to build resilience and ambition in the staff she worked with.

She is rightly described as a powerhouse: a true emblem of what can be achieved through intellect, determination and above all a commitment to improving the lives of young people. Ronke remains a powerful role model for aspiring black leaders – her legacy lives on!

So many wonderful memories, so much laughter and joy. Ronke leaves behind the love of her life, her husband of 17 years, Martin.

Family, friends and colleagues of Ronke Martins-Taylor

Cafcass publishes domestic abuse plan

Cafcass has published its Domestic Abuse Learning and Improvement Plan. The plan has been developed by Cafcass’s Learning and Improvement Board which was established in September 2020 to improve Cafcass’s work with children and families who have experienced domestic abuse.

Responding to the final report from the Ministry of Justice’s Expert Panel on Harm in the family courts, our plan has drawn on the extensive knowledge of our Learning and Improvement Board which is independently chaired and includes members with lived experience alongside other agencies and professionals in the family justice system.

The new domestic abuse learning and development programme is based on the updated Cafcass Domestic Abuse Practice Pathway and guidance, which supports Family Court Advisers in working with children and families affected by domestic abuse. Both have been designed with feedback from partners including Women’s Aid Federation England and SafeLives. Parents and young people with lived experience of domestic abuse have contributed to training workshops by recording their experiences and these will be shared directly with Family Court Advisers. The programme also draws on a baseline practice audit of 200 cases in private law proceedings where domestic abuse was known or alleged. The audit work was moderated by members of the Learning and Improvement Board.

The success and impact of the plan will be monitored and evaluated by the board to understand the improvements and difference that is being made for children and families.

Children and families who have experienced domestic abuse and are involved in private family law proceedings need to feel confident that they are understood, respected and listened to. Cafcass is instrumental in ensuring this happens.

Jacky Tiotto, chief executive, Cafcass