Event details
Exploring how to make the family justice system easier to understand and more caring for children, especially those who’ve been hurt or are at risk. We want to make sure children and young people know what’s going on, that their voices are heard, and their rights are communicated and embedded into practice.
Purpose of the day: to help the family justice system be clearer and kinder in how it explains proceedings to children, listens to them, and applies children’s legal rights in real situations – especially where a child has been hurt or is at risk.
Why this matters: because children in proceedings in the Family Justice System should understand what is happening especially if they have experienced harm or domestic abuse and what adults and professionals need to do to help them both through understanding their legal rights and managing their expectations.
How the programme hangs together:
- The legal bit – what children should be told about their rights, what adults must do, and what children should be able to expect. (Children having a right to the information, participation, and protection)
- What good support looks/feels like – day‑to‑day child‑centred practice that helps children feel safer and more informed. How professionals help children understand and use their rights in real situations. (What does good look like i.e. sharing recommendations practice. (including Domestic abuse i.e. children are victims in their own right)
- When it’s hard to speak up & Helping children understand – recognising and representing children’s views when communication is hard (age, disability, neurodiversity, fear, pressure to keep the peace). Accessible ways to explain “who’s who”, decisions, what happens next, and how children’s views are shared and responded to.
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Time |
Session overview - Agenda |
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10:00 – 11:10 |
Welcome from FJYPB members, event information and updates on recent FJYPB work. Cafcass Chief Executive, Jacky Tiotto an opening address, followed by FJYPB presentations, an “In My Shoes” lived experience contribution and a video message from The President of the Family Division, The Rt Hon Lord Justice Stephen Cobb |
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11:10 – 11:15 |
Break |
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11:15 – 12:00 |
An “In My Shoes” lived experience contribution, followed by guest speaker Lorraine Cavanagh KC, Co-Chair of the Association of Lawyers for Children, speaking on “Children who change the law.” FJYPB members will then share good practice examples on what support helps children and young people feel safer, kept updated, and able to understand and use their rights. |
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12:00 – 12:30 |
Lunch |
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12:30 – 1:30 |
Welcome back and an “In My Shoes” lived experience contribution. FJYPB members will explore what helps when it is hard to speak up, including age, disability, neurodiversity, fear or pressure. Attendees will also hear from webinar speakers: • Hema Johal, Cafcass Children’s Complaints Manager – understanding children’s rights to complain and enabling their voices. • HHJ Matthew Entwistle and Lisa Harker, Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory – hearing children’s voices in public law proceedings. • Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner – children as victims in their own right and rights in domestic abuse. |
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1:30 – 1:35 |
Break |
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1:35 – 2:35 |
Panel discussion
Jacky Tiotto, CEO Cafcass, Lisa Pascoe, Deputy Director Cafcass, Nigel Brown, CEO Cafcass Cymru, Helen Waite, DfE Director of Children’s Social Care and Strategy, Luke Taylor, MoJ Deputy Director Family Justice System Improvement, Rachel Pascual, MoJ Policy Deputy Director and The Honorable Mrs. Justice Henke, High Court Judge, Family Division The discussion will include reflections on what helps children and young people feel safe, heard and involved in family justice. |
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2:35 – 2:40 |
Break |
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2:40– 3:00 |
Closing reflections from FJYPB, including the Head of Practice wrap-up and final message, pledge, take-away and challenge for attendees. |