A child’s safety should never depend on assumptions, competing narratives or a system that identifies risk only after harm has occurred. Every time a child is harmed during court-ordered contact with an unsafe parent, society is left asking the same question: Why was contact prioritised over safety? This is not about one parent, one family or one individual decision. It is about whether our family justice system has the right processes to identify risk, understand complex fam

As the House of Lords examines the impact of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, campaigners call for stronger assessment, earlier intervention, and a child-centred family justice system Why this matters now: Parliament examines whether children are truly being protected The House of Lords Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Committee is examining one of the most important questions facing family justice today: Are children who experience, witness or are affected by domestic abuse receiving the

A Call for Modernisation of Family Justice and Child Maintenance Systems Through a Mandatory Three-Tier Family Assessment Framework By Deanna Newell Founder - DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works Dear Members of Parliament and Secretary of State for Justice, I am writing to call for urgent consideration of a more modern, evidence-based approach to family justice and child maintenance reform. The Government has demonstrated its commitment to improving access to ju

By Deanna Newell Founder - DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works BCP Council has approved a new five-year Domestic Abuse Strategy (2026–2031) focused on prevention, survivor support and tackling perpetrators. It is a welcome commitment that recognises domestic abuse as a serious public health and safeguarding issue. The strategy includes:- Earlier intervention and prevention Improved professional training Education for children and young people Greater public awar

Dear Minister / Member of Parliament, From: Deanna Newell Founder - DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works I am writing to ask the Government to consider introducing a pilot programme to test a Mandatory Three-Tier Family Justice Triage Assessment Framework across the Family Justice System and Child Maintenance Service (CMS). The Government has recently recognised the value of pilot programmes when testing reforms within public services, including reforms to the GP

By Deanna Newell Founder - DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works The Government has recently announced pilot programmes to test reforms to the GP fit note system before considering national implementation. This raises an important question: If pilot programmes are considered essential before reforming health services, why aren’t we taking the same evidence-based approach to reforming the Family Justice System and the Child Maintenance Service (CMS)? Every year, th

I fully support Claire Waxman OBE’s call for victims’ voices to remain central when decisions are made about the justice system. The pressures facing the prison system are real, but so are the rights, safety, and confidence of victims and survivors. Promises made to victims must be delivered. A justice system cannot maintain public trust if those who have experienced harm do not feel heard, protected, or recognised. The same principle must apply within the family justice syst