The WLGA and ADSS Cymru has welcomed the final report into the family justice system and its recommendations for how the system can be improved.
Both organisations have worked closely with the review panel since its inception and gave joint evidence to the review in June. Moving forward from today’s report, what is now critical for local government is the timely implementation of the panel’s recommendations.
Cllr Meryl Gravell OBE (Carmarthenshire), WLGA Spokesperson for Social Care said:
“The reform of the family justice system is long overdue and the WLGA fully supports the recommendations set out in today’s report which reflect the voice and the rights of the child as well as recognising the important role of social services.”
“We now look forward to a timely response from both the UK and Welsh Government detailing how the recommendations will be taken forward and what additional resources and capacity will be made available to implement such wide ranging reform.”
Parry Davies, President of ADSS Cymru said:
“This is a common sense and measured response to the challenge of modernising the family justice system. All professionals who are concerned with the well-being of children will welcome its recommendations and will eagerly await the Government’s response.”
“We look forward to engaging fully in this progressive agenda and recognise the positive contribution that Social Services, with others, can make to enhancing the well-being of all our children.”
The report makes the following key recommendations:
- New six month time limit in care cases so delays are significantly reduced
- Overhauling the family justice system so that agencies and professionals work together with greater coherence to improve the experience and outcomes for children and families
- The creation of a Family Justice Service to make sure agencies and professionals work together to make positive improvements in the system for children and families
- More judges who are specialists in family law to hear cases from start to finish ensuring consistency and confidence in the system
- A simplified court structure making it easier for people using the courts to know where to go
- More child focus and better training for professionals to make sure children’s views are heard
- Changes to public law (protecting children and taking them into care) to deliver more quickly for children
- A six month time limit for all cases, save in exceptional circumstances
- Less reliance on unnecessary expert witnesses and reports.
- Refocusing the courts on the core issue of determining whether the child should go into care
- Increased provision of mediation to prevent cases going to court unnecessarily
