01329 822 333
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CAFCASS, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, is an independent government agency in England and Wales that works to ensure the safety and welfare of children in family court proceedings.
From January 2026, CAFCASS will be rolling out a new private law model aimed at improving the experience of children and families involved in private law proceedings, particularly where domestic abuse is an issue. The rollout in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight follows initial pilots in Dorset and North Wales, as well as expansions to South East Wales, Birmingham, and Mid and West Wales.
Key Features and Benefits of the Pathfinder:
Child-Centered Approach:
A core feature of the model is the involvement of children from the very beginning of proceedings, ensuring that, in most cases, the child is given the opportunity to participate in proceedings in a way that reflects their preferences.
Focus on an Investigative Approach:
The model aims to gather information from those best equipped to help the court understand the needs of the child and family.
In situations where there are concerns about domestic abuse, families are referred to specialist domestic abuse agencies for risk assessments and ongoing support.
Multi-Agency Working:
The court will collaborate with local domestic abuse organisations, mediation services, and local authorities. The court will be an active partner with these organisations, focusing on gathering information from those in the best position to help the court understand the needs of the child and their family.
Reduced Adversarial Language:
The model encourages a more problem-solving approach to court proceedings, focusing on working with families. Less adversarial language will be used throughout the court process to foster this problem-solving approach.
It is expected that the rollout in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will implement this new model in private law proceedings, ensuring that children and families receive the benefits of the pathfinder’s child-centered and investigative approach.
Should you need any advice or assistance in relation to children’s matters, feel free to contact the family team at Churchers on 01329 822 333
https://www.churchers.co.uk/services-individuals/child-law/
Our family lawyers are proud to issue a free 15 minute over-the-phone appointment to provide our clients with legal advice. During your appointment, you can speak to a member of our experienced team, who will be happy to discuss your options and the best route for you personally. Pre-booking is essential!
