Excellent and timely article by Andy Nicholl in June that I would urge readers to look at. These are both really scary figures and really truly sad stories.
For those who practice in the family courts (and by practice I mean all professionals – social workers, judges, solicitors – everyone) this is a sad norm. Woman who have been in care followed by chaotic lives, multiple pregnancies and care proceedings. For many the cycle just goes on and on with little chance of stepping off the treadmill. It causes so much pain for woman, children, families, social care and the courts. Might it now be time for #innovativesolutions to #oldproblems?
The President of the Family Division stands strongly behind the continued use of guardians (I’d suggest thinking about the further use of mentors too). He also expounds the virtue of expanding the use of Drug and Alcohol Courts (beyond the current limited area reach) and using innovative idea of helping woman caught in this cycle 1. to stop the merry-go-round (sic) and 2. giving them time to think (not least about themselves and their own future). http://www.pause.org.uk/ gives them this chance. I’d love to hear what colleagues think of “Pause”.
Social workers do amazing work in awful circumstances …New solutions need to be found to age old problems. There are some great ideas out there – this is just one.
