Make it mandatory for all unsupervised child contact to be paused while an investigation into allegations of abuse, violence or coercive control by a parent is ongoing. If the police or CPS decide to take no further action, a Family Court Finding of Fact Hearing should automatically follow.
React
Members can read every reason.
Automatic 50/50 custody for separated parents without a criminal conviction
Require that separating parents both automatically have equal, 50/50 time with their children, unless a parent has a relevant criminal conviction. We think children need both parents and it would help stop parental alienation, and having parents in a child's life helps them better progress in life.
Review timing of child contact centre referrals at family court
Review the need for early intervention through contact centres at the point when court applications are made. We think this could help ensure children maintain relationships with both parents while legal processes are ongoing.
Automatic ban of abusers' custody of children bereaved by domestic abuse suicide
We call on the UK Government to introduce legislation that explicitly prohibits perpetrators of domestic abuse from being granted custody or unsupervised access to their children if it has been established that their abuse has likely contributed to the other parents suicide.
Make Letterbox Contact a Legal Requirement for safe Birth Parents
We call for the reform of adoption laws to make letterbox contact a legal right for safe birth parents. This can bring reassurance & healing; for children, it can preserve identity, belonging & wellbeing. Some birth parents are allowed one letter a year, which, at present, is not legally enforceable
Record and retain all contacts relating to family court proceedings
Any meetings (wherever they happen), emails, phone calls and court hearings involving the parties to Family Court proceedings and court staff, judges or officers of the court such as CAFCASS staff or other professionals who are required to give expert evidence, should be recorded and retained.
Make it mandatory for all unsupervised child contact to be paused while an investigation into allegations of abuse, violence or coercive control by a parent is ongoing. If the police or CPS decide to take no further action, a Family Court Finding of Fact Hearing should automatically follow.
React
Members can read every reason.
Automatic 50/50 custody for separated parents without a criminal conviction
Require that separating parents both automatically have equal, 50/50 time with their children, unless a parent has a relevant criminal conviction. We think children need both parents and it would help stop parental alienation, and having parents in a child's life helps them better progress in life.
Review timing of child contact centre referrals at family court
Review the need for early intervention through contact centres at the point when court applications are made. We think this could help ensure children maintain relationships with both parents while legal processes are ongoing.
Automatic ban of abusers' custody of children bereaved by domestic abuse suicide
We call on the UK Government to introduce legislation that explicitly prohibits perpetrators of domestic abuse from being granted custody or unsupervised access to their children if it has been established that their abuse has likely contributed to the other parents suicide.
Make Letterbox Contact a Legal Requirement for safe Birth Parents
We call for the reform of adoption laws to make letterbox contact a legal right for safe birth parents. This can bring reassurance & healing; for children, it can preserve identity, belonging & wellbeing. Some birth parents are allowed one letter a year, which, at present, is not legally enforceable
Record and retain all contacts relating to family court proceedings
Any meetings (wherever they happen), emails, phone calls and court hearings involving the parties to Family Court proceedings and court staff, judges or officers of the court such as CAFCASS staff or other professionals who are required to give expert evidence, should be recorded and retained.
