Transparency in the Family Court part 2

The aim of the pilot is to introduce a presumption that legal bloggers and accredited media may report on what they see and hear during family court cases, subject to strict rules of anonymity. “Openness and confidentiality are not irreconcilable, and each is achievable. The aim is to enhance public… Continue reading

Somerset Judgement

The President of the Family Division rules on the validity of existing placement and adoption orders, despite failure with adoption regulations. The need for the President’s clarification starts with Re N (Children) [2021] EWCA Civ 785- 21 May 2021 https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2021/785.html The mother of M (6 years) and T (13 years),… Continue reading

Covid – 19 Vaccinations for an adult who lacks capacity and who has already suffered vaccine damage.

Last month we discussed a case that considered whether a child should receive the Covid- 19 vaccination or not if the parent does not consent. This case relates to an adult. There are a number of reported judgements from 2021 that cover this issue, however the case of North Yorkshire… Continue reading

Keeping Families Together

Supporting families after care proceedings: Supervision Orders and beyond This is the title of the study published by the Department of Education (DFE), published by Professor Judith Harwin and Lancaster University. The study https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1064405/Harwin_Report_on_Parental_Perspectives.pdf Provides for the first time the views and experiences of parents who have raised their families… Continue reading

Jacqueline Wilson’s book -Baby Love tackles the issue of teen pregnancy in the 1960s

Jacqueline Wilson’s recently published book -Baby Love, tackles the issue of teen pregnancy in the 1960s. It is a good book that helps young people to understand how different life was in those days. It deals with shame, not just on the pregnant teen but also on her family. When… Continue reading

Making sure the legacy of Child Q’s experience results in lasting change

Representatives from across social work, safeguarding and youth services have called for lasting change as a result of the ‘appalling’ case of Child Q after a safeguarding review revealed she was stripped and searched by female police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service. In 2020, Child Q, a black female… Continue reading

Corporate parent v birth parent, who makes the final decision?

Can a chlid who is looked after, receive the Covid vaccination without parental consent? An important question that was considered in the case of C(Looked After Child) (Covide-19 Vaccination) [2021] EWHC 2993 (Fam) Summary of the case: The case relates to a child known as C, who is 13 years… Continue reading

Free court skills training for time-poor social workers

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reported* an increase in children and adult law applications during 2016. This is likely to be placing even more pressure on social workers because, in addition to more court attendances, you also have greater legal responsibilities in preparation of court documents with shorter timescales. I… Continue reading

Strategic Briefing: Independent Reviewing Officers

Our director, Shefali Shah, recently contributed to Research In Practice’s latest Strategic Briefing: Independent Reviewing Officers. About this briefing The Children and Families Act 2014, a number of recent research projects and Serious Case Review (SCR) evidence all highlight themes that have implications for Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) services. This… Continue reading