This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/education-15562498

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Family justice review criticises 'shocking delays' Family justice review criticises 'shocking delays'
(40 minutes later)
Childcare decisions in family courts should be made within six months, an official review has said.Childcare decisions in family courts should be made within six months, an official review has said.
Former senior civil servant David Norgrove said family justice was slow and incoherent and children suffered "shocking delays" over decisions.Former senior civil servant David Norgrove said family justice was slow and incoherent and children suffered "shocking delays" over decisions.
But he ruled out giving both parents equal access to a child, a key demand of fathers' rights campainers. But he ruled out giving both parents equal access to a child, a key demand of fathers' rights campaigners.
A government spokesman said it was vital to "radically reform" the family justice system.A government spokesman said it was vital to "radically reform" the family justice system.
He said parents should be encouraged to make their own care arrangements when they separate. Mr Norgrove said parents should be encouraged to make their own care arrangements when they separate.
On giving equal rights of access to both parents he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Fundamentally, this is not about the rights of parents, it's about the welfare of children and we should be focused entirely on that.On giving equal rights of access to both parents he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Fundamentally, this is not about the rights of parents, it's about the welfare of children and we should be focused entirely on that.
'Not against fathers'
"The evidence from other countries, particularly Australia, is that if you put that kind of requirement into legislation, it leads to damage to children because you put them right in the middle of those last few per cent of parents who are separating who get into really violent dispute," he added."The evidence from other countries, particularly Australia, is that if you put that kind of requirement into legislation, it leads to damage to children because you put them right in the middle of those last few per cent of parents who are separating who get into really violent dispute," he added.
"Every year 500,000 children and adults are involved in the family justice system," said Mr Norgrove. The Deputy Children's Commissioner for England, Sue Berelowitz, said the fact that equal access rights had not been approved did not mean the review was acting against fathers.
"They turn to it at times of great stress and conflict. It must deliver the best possible outcome for all the children and families who use it, because its decisions directly affect the lives and futures of all those involved, and have repercussions for society as a whole." She said: "I have not seen anything in the report that says there must be a presumption on the rights of mothers. What the report is very clear about, which I wholly and utterly endorse, as does the commissioner, is that the presumption must be that the best interests of the child must be put first."
His report said family justice was under huge strain with care cases on average taking more than a year to resolve. Approximately 20,000 children are currently waiting for an outcome. The question of whether both parents should have equal rights to access to a child after a separation was addressed in both Mr Norgrove's interim and final reports.
Last month I sat in on a typical case in the Family Courts in central London. Several young children had been removed from their mother's care and placed with foster parents. Two had serious injuries, dating back to the summer of 2010. But in October 2011, 15 months on, the children were still with their foster parents.
One of the questions addressed in both Mr Norgrove's interim and final report was whether both parents should have equal rights to access to a child after a separation.
Mr Norgrove did not recommend a legal right in either of his reports, but the interim document had suggested ministers could use legislation to underline "the importance of the child continuing to have a meaningful relationship with both parents, alongside the need to protect the child from harm".Mr Norgrove did not recommend a legal right in either of his reports, but the interim document had suggested ministers could use legislation to underline "the importance of the child continuing to have a meaningful relationship with both parents, alongside the need to protect the child from harm".
The final report dismisses that idea, saying it could do more harm than good.The final report dismisses that idea, saying it could do more harm than good.
'Broken system'
But Ken Sanderson, of campaign group Families Need Fathers, said: "The core failing of the current family justice system is that the rights of children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, are not adequately supported or enforced.But Ken Sanderson, of campaign group Families Need Fathers, said: "The core failing of the current family justice system is that the rights of children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, are not adequately supported or enforced.
"By choosing not to address this issue, any other proposals… will be merely superficial adjustments to a fundamentally broken system.""By choosing not to address this issue, any other proposals… will be merely superficial adjustments to a fundamentally broken system."
Mr Norgrove said: "Every year 500,000 children and adults are involved in the family justice system."
"They turn to it at times of great stress and conflict. It must deliver the best possible outcome for all the children and families who use it, because its decisions directly affect the lives and futures of all those involved, and have repercussions for society as a whole."
His report said family justice was under huge strain with care cases on average taking more than a year to resolve. Approximately 20,000 children are currently waiting for an outcome.
Ms Berelowitz said the average wait of 61 weeks for a decision on custody was "not acceptable".
Last month I sat in on a typical case in the Family Courts in central London. Several young children had been removed from their mother's care and placed with foster parents. Two had serious injuries, dating back to the summer of 2010. But in October 2011, 15 months on, the children were still with their foster parents.
The report includes many proposals from the interim document, including creating a single family justice system and making courts focus on where a child goes, rather than spending time looking at the detailed care arrangements.The report includes many proposals from the interim document, including creating a single family justice system and making courts focus on where a child goes, rather than spending time looking at the detailed care arrangements.
The review said parents should use mediation and other routes to make arrangements for caring for their children and only turn to the courts as a last resort.The review said parents should use mediation and other routes to make arrangements for caring for their children and only turn to the courts as a last resort.
In its first official response to the report, the government said it would introduce a six-month deadline for decisions on the care of children.In its first official response to the report, the government said it would introduce a six-month deadline for decisions on the care of children.
"It is vital we radically reform the family justice system to tackle delay and improve the service to children," said a spokesman."It is vital we radically reform the family justice system to tackle delay and improve the service to children," said a spokesman.
"We know the amount of time it takes for a child to be adopted is unacceptable. We are already taking forward some of the review's recommendations on speeding up care cases."We know the amount of time it takes for a child to be adopted is unacceptable. We are already taking forward some of the review's recommendations on speeding up care cases.
"As set out in the Coalition Programme for Government, this government is committed to encouraging shared parenting and is firmly of the view that children should have meaningful relationships with both parents after separation."As set out in the Coalition Programme for Government, this government is committed to encouraging shared parenting and is firmly of the view that children should have meaningful relationships with both parents after separation.
"We will examine carefully the panel's recommendations as part of achieving that commitment.""We will examine carefully the panel's recommendations as part of achieving that commitment."
Have you experienced the family justice system? Send us your stories using the form below.Have you experienced the family justice system? Send us your stories using the form below.