Recent News
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MOJ Research Safeguarding in Child Contact Centres
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ), under s.83(1) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, has researched whether individuals who use contact centres in England are protected from the risk of domestic abuse or, in the case of children, such other harm (here). The key...
‘Love-bombing’ Now Included in Controlling Behaviours
On 24 April 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) issued updated guidance on controlling behaviour, emphasising the need for prosecutors to closely scrutinise a suspect's actions, who often disrupts or misleads criminal proceedings (here). A suspect may make...
Private Family Law Applications by Non-Parents – Nuffield FJO Research
The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO) and the Family Justice Data Partnership have published new research (here). The study explores the types of orders applied for by non-parents in England and Wales over four years (2017/18 to 2020/21). Non-parents include...
NSPCC launches the Listen Up, Speak Up Campaign
On 9 January 2023, the NSPCC launched their 'Listen Up, Speak Up' via a pilot campaign to provide training to spot and report abuse and give adults practical advice on what to do if they're concerned about a child (see here). The NSPCC training is...
Potential Improvements to Child Maintenance Services Debated in Westminster Hall
On Tuesday 17 January a Westminster Hall Debate was held on potential improvements to Child Maintenance Services (‘CMS’) (see here). There were two Private Members Bills selected in the 2022-23 Private Members Bill ballot, which would change legislation around the...
Children looked after by local authorities rise
The number of children looked after by the local authorities in England has risen to 82,170 in 2022. This is up 2% from the previous year and continuing the rise seen in recent years. The figures are included in a statistical release from the Department for Education....
Latests figures released regarding children in need
The latest figures have been published by the Department for Education on children referred to and assessed by children's social services for the year ending 31 March 2022. The figures state there are 404,310 children in need in England. This is the highest number...
Minimum Age for Marriage Raised
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 will raise the age of marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales to eighteen years old on 27 February 2023. This removes the old right for sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds to marry or enter a civil...
Ofsted announces new inspection focus on early help for children and families
Ofsted has announced that there will now be a new focus of its multi- agency inspections, which will be early help given to children and families to reduce risks and meet their needs. The multi-agency inspections, also known as joint targeted area inspections...