Committee publication · Correspondence · 25 March 2026
Correspondence from the Ministry of Justice relating to the national rollout of the Child Focused Model in the family courts, dated 17 March 2026
Summary
The Ministry of Justice informs the Women and Equalities Committee of the national rollout of the Child Focused Model in family courts, effective 17 March 2026. The model, piloted since 2022 in Dorset and North Wales, reforms private law children's proceedings to reduce court returns, accelerate case resolution by up to 7.5 months, and improve outcomes for children and families, including those affected by domestic abuse. Expansion to nine additional court areas begins Autumn 2026.
Key findings
- Child Focused Model reduces cases returning to court and protects children and families from further trauma.
- Cases resolved up to 7.5 months faster; backlog in pilot areas halved, freeing court capacity.
- Model currently operational in 10 of 43 court areas; expansion to Northumbria, Cleveland, Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Northamptonshire, and Coventry areas in Autumn 2026.
- Published process evaluation confirms professionals working more closely together and hearing the child's voice.
- Government reaffirms commitment to halving violence against women and girls within a decade through systemic change and victim support.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
family-courtschild-welfaredomestic-abusejustice-reform
Key actors
David Lammy, Ministry of Justice, Women and Equalities Committee, Sarah Owen
Notable line
“The model reduces the number of cases returning to court, protecting children and families from further trauma.”
Key Quotes
“The Child Focused Model implements substantial reform to private law children's proceedings.”
“The model reduces the number of cases returning to court, protecting children and families from further trauma.”
“The length of time families are in proceedings has reduced significantly, with cases being resolved up to seven and a half months faster.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗