11/2011 - Family Justice Review recommendations should be more child centred, says The Who Cares? Trust

7 November 2011

For immediate release 

The Who Cares? Trust supports many of the principles set out in the Family Justice Review, but is concerned that the proposed actions will not allow for a fully child-centred system.

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Natasha Finlayson said:

“There are elements of the report that The Who Cares? Trust welcomes wholeheartedly, such as promoting the right for children to remain in contact with their siblings and specialist judges hearing the whole of a case. These are major steps forward, and developments that the Trust has wanted to see for a number of years.

However, we are concerned that some of the recommendations do not prioritise the best interests of the child. For example, while we welcome the report’s assertion that the lack of recognition of the value of the care system causes unnecessary and unacceptable delays, we are concerned that implementing a six-month time limit, alongside the new adoption league tables, will create system pressures which will make a child-centred approach completely untenable.

The removal of court scrutiny of care plans is based on a belief that care planning will improve.  While we hope this will be the case, we are not convinced it will happen swiftly enough to ensure that the proposed statutory deadlines do not risk poor decisions being made for children entering care.

The Trust also agrees with the report’s assertion that young people should be given a much stronger voice in matters related to family justice, and we are encouraged by proposals for age-appropriate support materials, greater choice for young people about how they are involved and more flexible and appropriate use of court spaces.

However, we are disappointed that the review did not go further to ensure that workforce development for the Family Justice System and the judiciary is young-person led. We believe that developing a child-centred family justice system requires specialist skills and knowledge at all levels. Young person developed and delivered training is the best way to secure this.”

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Notes to editors

1. The Who Cares? Trust is a UK-wide charity that works to improve the lives of children and young people in care. We do this by:

• using our expertise and influence with government policy-makers
• informing, empowering and supporting children and young people in care, through our magazines and other publications and through projects and campaigns which directly benefit them, and
• producing information and support materials for foster carers and professionals as a means to improving the lives of children in care. 

2. For media enquiries please contact Jemma Roche on 0207 017 2788 or email jemma.roche@thewhocarestrust.org.uk

The Who Cares? Trust is a registered charity (No. 1010518). A Company limited by guarantee. Registered in London (No. 2700693). VAT Reg. No. 577853091
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