Putting Children First: the Evolving Role of the Family Law Professional

In our latest webinar Sian Smith & Anne Dillon of 42BR, who were joined by Helen Adam of Wells Family Mediation explore the survey results and recommendations set out in the Family Solutions Group’s latest report, ‘Putting Children First’. 

Amelia, aged 17, writes in her foreword to the report:  “When legal professionals engage with parents in ways that heighten conflict or increase uncertainty, children feel the impact directly. Every conversation, every decision, and every professional interaction with a parent has a ripple effect on the child at the centre.”

The report considers a number of key features of professional practice in and out of the Family Court now and in the future:

• Child welfare – what does it mean and how is it applied in the different contexts around family separation?
• How has the role of the family law professional changed in recent years? What skills are now needed to improve practice?
• What training is required to ensure that family law professionals meet the challenges of this vital work?
• How do family law professionals legitimately, accurately and sensitively receive the voice of the child when supporting separating families in and out of the Family Court?
• What importance do family law professionals attach to reflective supervision, to allow self-reflection on the impact of the professionals’ work on the client and the wider family including the child?
• A call to action for family law professionals to share a letter from the Children’s Commissioner with separating parents, encouraging them to keep their child’s wellbeing at the heart of decisions during separation

Throughout the report, the Family Solutions Group repeats its call for the establishment of a Commissioner for Separated Families.

About the speakers