Families in conflict : Perspectives of children and parents on the Family Court Welfare Service

"Families in conflict" is published at a critical time in the development of services to families involved in court disputes about children.

As the new Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) takes over responsibility for the work previously undertaken by Family Court Welfare Officers, the experiences of the parents and children reported in this study will provide an invaluable service user perspective for the benefit of policy and practice.

In this volume, children, as well as parents, who have been subject to a court welfare report under Section 8 of the 1989 Children Act have been asked for their views on the process.

Parents and children made suggestions for changing and improving the service. "Families in conflict": allows the voices of children and their parents to be heard; highlights the dissatisfaction that many parents feel with the court welfare process and outcome; records the high levels of stress experienced by parents and children as a result of the court proceedings; and presents important findings in relation to the provision of services for these families.

This report is aimed at all professionals involved in the family justice system. It seeks to provoke a reassessment of policy and practice.

Parents involved in family proceedings should be helped by knowing what other parents and their children have said about the process.