Children’s Evidence In Family Proceedings. Some Thoughts.
Findings of fact made by courts relating to serious allegations of abuse of children will invariably have profound implications for the future, not only for those children, but also for those found to be the perpetrators of such abuse. In a recent case, referred to below, Lord Justice McFarlane said ‘Part of any consideration of [...]
Judiciary moves to protect victims of domestic violence and their children
Women’s Aid has strongly welcomed the government and family court judiciary’s commitment to protecting children and survivors of domestic abuse.
The charity is marking the first anniversary of the launch of the Child First campaign and report Nineteen Child Homicides by handing the Child First petition [...]
Adoptions decrease
The number of children being adopted has fallen, according to official statistics.
The Adoption Leadership Board reports that there were 4,690 children adopted in 2015-16, which was a decrease of 12% from 2014-15.
There were 1,060 children adopted in the first quarter of 2016-17, which compares with 1,210 children being adopted in the same period of [...]
Expert’s Corner: Interview with Satwinder Sandhu
Fostering and adoption expert Satwinder Sandhu on why foster parents should have legal responsibility for children in their care.
Foster parents should have legal responsibility for children in their care in a bid to prevent placements from breaking down, an expert in fostering and adoption has warned.
Currently, when children are fostered, the child remains the [...]
Care applications fall in December
The number of care applications made in December fell year on year for the first time in more than two years, Cafcass figures have shown.
Cafcass received a total of 1,068 care applications in December 2016, which was a three per cent decrease compared with those received in December 2015. The last time year-on-year monthly figures fell was May [...]
Exemption clause reinstated despite opposition from social workers
MPs have voted to reinstate the controversial ‘exemption clause’ in the Children and Social Work Bill despite opposition from social workers.
A survey by BASW found that over three quarters of social workers believe local authorities should not be permitted to opt out of some of their statutory duties to children and families to ‘innovate’.
“Just 16 per [...]
