Child Focused Courts: What The New Model Means For Parents

Child Focused Courts are changing the way private children cases are managed in England and Wales. Formerly known as the Private Law Pathfinder, the model is intended to help the Family Court understand a child’s circumstances, welfare needs and safety earlier in the process. For parents, the central message is straightforward: the court is seeking […]

Co-parenting apps can offer one organised place for child-related messages, calendars and practical information. Separated parents often need to manage school events, handovers, holidays, health appointments, activities and day-to-day changes for their children. Where communication is difficult, these routine matters can quickly become stressful. Co-parenting apps will not resolve a disagreement about child arrangements, and […]

The Caring Dads programme is a structured, child-centred intervention for fathers whose behaviour has harmed, or may have placed at risk, their children or the children’s mother. It is not a general parenting course, and it is not a route to automatic child contact. Its purpose is to help fathers understand the impact of abusive, […]

Schools, councils, the Home Office and the family court regularly ask for proof of parental responsibility before they will accept decisions made on behalf of a child. Knowing which documents you need – and why – can save weeks of delay. This article sets out exactly what counts as proof of parental responsibility in England […]

When a child cannot stay at home safely, a local authority in England may place them with a relative, friend or other person connected to the child under Regulation 24 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. This route allows an immediate placement with someone the child already knows, even though […]

Schools, councils, the Home Office and the family court regularly ask for proof of parental responsibility before they will accept decisions made on behalf of a child. Knowing which documents you need – and why – can save weeks of delay. This article sets out exactly what counts as proof of parental responsibility in England […]

The Caring Dads programme is a structured, child-centred intervention for fathers whose behaviour has harmed, or may have placed at risk, their children or the children’s mother. It is not a general parenting course, and it is not a route to automatic child contact. Its purpose is to help fathers understand the impact of abusive, […]

The UK government has confirmed that social media companies will be required to stop offering their services to under-16s, with the first restrictions of the social media ban expected to come into force in spring 2027. For families in England and Wales that raises practical questions: what the rules actually cover, who is responsible for […]

This page is designed for grandparents in England and Wales who want to understand their legal rights and options when it comes to caring for their grandchildren and automatic parental responsibility. If you are a grandparent seeking to play a greater role in your grandchild’s life—especially if you are considering taking on day-to-day care because […]

Child inclusive mediation gives children and young people an opportunity, where appropriate, to share their views with a specially trained mediator. It does not mean that a child has to choose between their parents or take responsibility for the final arrangements. Instead, it is a structured and child-focused way for their perspective to be heard and […]