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Court gives 'failed' parents last chance Court gives 'failed' parents last chance
(19 minutes later)
By Jenny Cuffe Radio 4 Parental drug or alcohol abuse is a key factor in many child protection casesBy Jenny Cuffe Radio 4 Parental drug or alcohol abuse is a key factor in many child protection cases
Last year, Catherine's baby daughter was born in the toilet of a hostel for vulnerable women while she was high on amphetamines.Last year, Catherine's baby daughter was born in the toilet of a hostel for vulnerable women while she was high on amphetamines.
On speed "24/7", as she puts it, she had hidden the pregnancy from everyone, including her violent partner.On speed "24/7", as she puts it, she had hidden the pregnancy from everyone, including her violent partner.
That same day her two older children, aged two and five, were taken away by social services and placed in foster care.That same day her two older children, aged two and five, were taken away by social services and placed in foster care.
"My children mean everything to me. Having social services come in and say, 'That's it now' and taking them away, just broke my heart," she says."My children mean everything to me. Having social services come in and say, 'That's it now' and taking them away, just broke my heart," she says.
In Camden, north London, where 27-year-old Catherine lives, parental drug or alcohol abuse is a key factor in 63% of child protection cases and it is a problem that is increasingly passed from one generation to another.In Camden, north London, where 27-year-old Catherine lives, parental drug or alcohol abuse is a key factor in 63% of child protection cases and it is a problem that is increasingly passed from one generation to another.
She acknowledges that she was neglecting her children by letting them do more or less as they liked and her prospects of regaining her rights as a parent looked slim.She acknowledges that she was neglecting her children by letting them do more or less as they liked and her prospects of regaining her rights as a parent looked slim.
'Blindingly obvious''Blindingly obvious'
Barnardos chief Martin Narey has called for more babies born into problem families to be taken into care, to stop them from being damaged by bad parents.Barnardos chief Martin Narey has called for more babies born into problem families to be taken into care, to stop them from being damaged by bad parents.
His remarks came after social services were criticised for failing to act more decisively in the case of two young boys who beat and tortured two other boys in South Yorkshire. They are said to have been exposed to drugs and alcohol from an early age in a chaotic family.His remarks came after social services were criticised for failing to act more decisively in the case of two young boys who beat and tortured two other boys in South Yorkshire. They are said to have been exposed to drugs and alcohol from an early age in a chaotic family.
Mr Narey said the reduction in numbers of children in care has gone too farMr Narey said the reduction in numbers of children in care has gone too far
However a pilot project in London is determined to give "failed" parents a second chance and Catherine was lucky to be referred to the UK's first Family Drug and Alcohol Court.However a pilot project in London is determined to give "failed" parents a second chance and Catherine was lucky to be referred to the UK's first Family Drug and Alcohol Court.
Combining judicial authority with intensive support from a range of professionals, it is a model developed in the US where it has led to a significant reduction in the number of children taken into care.Combining judicial authority with intensive support from a range of professionals, it is a model developed in the US where it has led to a significant reduction in the number of children taken into care.
"It's both revolutionary and blindingly obvious," says district judge Nicholas Crichton, who persuaded the government to run a pilot project after seeing the same parents lose one child after another in care proceedings because of their drug and alcohol misuse."It's both revolutionary and blindingly obvious," says district judge Nicholas Crichton, who persuaded the government to run a pilot project after seeing the same parents lose one child after another in care proceedings because of their drug and alcohol misuse.
At the Inner City London court in Wells Street, he and fellow judge Kenneth Grant sit on alternate Mondays, supported by a team of social workers, drug and alcohol counsellors and psychiatrists funded by the Tavistock Portman NHS Trust and Coram Family.At the Inner City London court in Wells Street, he and fellow judge Kenneth Grant sit on alternate Mondays, supported by a team of social workers, drug and alcohol counsellors and psychiatrists funded by the Tavistock Portman NHS Trust and Coram Family.
EncouragementEncouragement
The atmosphere in the courtroom is more intimate and relaxed than in a conventional court and the most striking difference is the absence of lawyers, who only appear at key moments in proceedings.The atmosphere in the courtroom is more intimate and relaxed than in a conventional court and the most striking difference is the absence of lawyers, who only appear at key moments in proceedings.
Parents talk directly to the judge and it is not unusual to have a noisy toddler running round the room.Parents talk directly to the judge and it is not unusual to have a noisy toddler running round the room.
It does make you feel good to know that the judge is on your side. He always says 'we know you're doing well and we're really proud of you' CatherineIt does make you feel good to know that the judge is on your side. He always says 'we know you're doing well and we're really proud of you' Catherine
On Catherine's first visit to court, she shrank back in her chair, too timid even to give her name. Now she strides in confidently, saying hello to Judge Crichton as if he is a friend.On Catherine's first visit to court, she shrank back in her chair, too timid even to give her name. Now she strides in confidently, saying hello to Judge Crichton as if he is a friend.
In a 15 minute hearing, the emphasis is on helping her deal with her problems and the tone is one of encouragement and praise.In a 15 minute hearing, the emphasis is on helping her deal with her problems and the tone is one of encouragement and praise.
Like most drug addicts, Catherine had a chaotic lifestyle staggering from one fix to another but, for the past year, she has had a challenging schedule of residential rehabilitation placements, drug testing, counselling and courses in parenting and relapse prevention.Like most drug addicts, Catherine had a chaotic lifestyle staggering from one fix to another but, for the past year, she has had a challenging schedule of residential rehabilitation placements, drug testing, counselling and courses in parenting and relapse prevention.
Changing behaviourChanging behaviour
Sophie Kershaw, who manages the Family Drug and Alcohol Court team, says the aim is to resolve the children's future as quickly as possible and newborns should be permanently settled by the time they reach their first birthday.Sophie Kershaw, who manages the Family Drug and Alcohol Court team, says the aim is to resolve the children's future as quickly as possible and newborns should be permanently settled by the time they reach their first birthday.
Conventional care proceedings are notoriously protracted, with frequent delays in the commissioning and delivery of expert reports, but Sophie's team provides the court with regular assessments of a family's progress and can cut through bureaucracy to make things happen faster.Conventional care proceedings are notoriously protracted, with frequent delays in the commissioning and delivery of expert reports, but Sophie's team provides the court with regular assessments of a family's progress and can cut through bureaucracy to make things happen faster.
On Thursday government ministers will receive an interim report on the court, marking the half-way mark in a three year pilot.On Thursday government ministers will receive an interim report on the court, marking the half-way mark in a three year pilot.
The author, Judith Harwin of Brunel University, says the combination of the court's authority and the support of the team helps motivate parents with entrenched problems to change their behaviour - by offering them what they see as a last chance.The author, Judith Harwin of Brunel University, says the combination of the court's authority and the support of the team helps motivate parents with entrenched problems to change their behaviour - by offering them what they see as a last chance.
However, it remains to be seen whether the British model can replicate the success of US courts in reducing the number of children taken into care.However, it remains to be seen whether the British model can replicate the success of US courts in reducing the number of children taken into care.
Of 58 parents who have entered the Family Drug and Alcohol Court since January 2008, 14 have been unable to complete their treatment and will lose care of their children but five have graduated and others, like Catherine, are waiting in the wings.Of 58 parents who have entered the Family Drug and Alcohol Court since January 2008, 14 have been unable to complete their treatment and will lose care of their children but five have graduated and others, like Catherine, are waiting in the wings.
Within the next few weeks, she will go to Wells Street one last time, to be given back her full parental rights.Within the next few weeks, she will go to Wells Street one last time, to be given back her full parental rights.
She smiles in anticipation. "It does make you feel good to know that the judge is on your side. He always says 'we know you're doing well and we're really proud of you.'"She smiles in anticipation. "It does make you feel good to know that the judge is on your side. He always says 'we know you're doing well and we're really proud of you.'"
Jenny Cuffe's documentary Last Chance Court is available to hear online. It was broadcast on Radio 4 on Wednesday 9 September. Jenny Cuffe's documentary Last Chance Court is available to hear online. It was broadcast on Radio 4 on Wednesday 9 September.