Strengthening SGO Reports in Court and hearing the Child’s Voice.

A recent case I read relating to an Ukrainian child felt very timely further to the recent visit on 01 March 2025 by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, to Sir Keir Starmer. The Ukrainian President told Sir Starmer, Prime Minister, he was happy his country had “such friends” after arriving in the UK. This… Continue reading

The Mental Capacity Act is a cornerstone of social work practice

Whenever I am in a social work training session, it doesn’t take long before this question comes up: “What happens if someone doesn’t have capacity?” Every aspect of social workers’ practice with people becomes complex when there is a question about the person’s ability to make a decision. The world… Continue reading

Legal Case Law Update on the importance of complying with the statutory court timescales.

The case of London Borough of Enfield v E (Unconscionable Delay) [2024] https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2024/183.html is a strong reminder, that the prompt determination of care and supervision order proceedings is beneficial for the children who are subject of the proceedings but equally is a requirement of the law This was clearly noted by… Continue reading

The importance of the realistic care plan;  Adoption  v  Long term care plan

The case of Re B (A Child) [2013] UKSC 33 discussed in our previous blog: In this case the Supreme Court stated that adoption is the ‘last resort’ and only permissible if ‘nothing else will do’. It also stressed that the child’s welfare is paramount and that the child’s interests include… Continue reading

Safety measures for hearings in the family court and mental health hospitals

Read about the steps which have been introduced to safeguard judges, staff and panel members. The Family Court and Safety Measures Family judges or lawyers do not usually wear formal wigs or robes and in fact lawyers have not been required to wear wigs or wing collars since 2007. However,… Continue reading