Children Deserve Decisions Based on Evidence: Why Family Justice Needs a Three-Tier Assessment Framework
Reform That Works: Building a Fairer, Safer and More Transparent Family Justice System
Family justice decisions can change the course of a child’s life. When parents separate and disputes arise about finances, child arrangements or safeguarding, the system must have the right information to make informed decisions.
However, many families experience a process where complex issues are not always identified early enough. Important questions about safeguarding, domestic abuse, coercive control, economic abuse, finances and the impact of conflict on children may require deeper assessment.
This is why Reform That Works is calling for a Mandatory Three-Tier Evidence-Based Family Justice Triage Assessment Framework.
The aim is simple: ensure that the right questions are asked at the right time, evidence is properly considered, and children remain at the centre of every decision.
Moving Away From Competing Narratives Towards Evidence
Family disputes can sometimes become centred around conflicting accounts from each parent. While every allegation must be taken seriously, decisions affecting children should be based on a thorough assessment of the evidence and the wider circumstances.
A fair system must achieve two things:-
Protect genuine survivors of domestic abuse and children at risk
Ensure that all allegations and concerns are carefully assessed so decisions are accurate and fair
False allegations of domestic abuse can be extremely harmful because they can undermine trust in the system and risk diverting attention away from genuine survivors who need support.
The answer is not to dismiss allegations or accept them without assessment. The answer is a robust evidence-based process that identifies risk accurately.
The Proposed Three-Tier Family Justice Assessment Model
Tier 1 – Standard Assessment
Many cases may not require a complex process. A standard assessment would establish:
The child’s needs and welfare
Current family circumstances
Existing arrangements
Any immediate concerns
This would allow straightforward cases to move efficiently while ensuring important information is captured.
Tier 2 – Enhanced Family and Financial Assessment
Some cases require a deeper understanding of the family circumstances.
This tier would consider issues including-:
Complex financial arrangements
Financial transparency
Possible economic abuse
Financial control
Coercive or controlling behaviour
Disputes about child arrangements
Whether financial issues may be influencing parenting decisions
The assessment should include structured questions, such as:-
Are financial arrangements being used to influence child contact?
Has one parent controlled access to money or shared resources?
Are there concerns about incomplete financial information?
Are decisions about children being affected by financial disputes?
The purpose is not to assume wrongdoing. It is to ensure potential risks are identified and evidence is properly considered.
Tier 3 – Court and Multi-Agency Safeguarding Review
Some situations require specialist involvement.
Where there are significant safeguarding concerns, domestic abuse risks or complex family circumstances, a higher level of assessment should bring together relevant information to support better decision-making.
Children should not be left waiting while important questions remain unanswered.
Recognising Economic Abuse and Financial Coercion
Economic abuse can have a significant impact on families and children.
A modern family justice system must consider whether financial control, withholding resources or disputes about money are affecting a child’s relationship with either parent.
Similarly, where child contact is restricted, professionals should carefully assess whether this is due to genuine safeguarding concerns or whether other factors, such as financial pressure or coercive behaviour, may be influencing arrangements.
The focus must always remain on the child’s welfare.
Why Start With the Child Maintenance Service?
The Child Maintenance Service provides an opportunity to test whether a structured evidence-based approach can improve outcomes. A pilot could examine:-
Whether financial information is more accurately assessed
Whether complex cases are identified earlier
Whether disputes reduce
Whether children receive fairer outcome.
Evidence from a pilot could inform wider reform across the Family Justice System.
A Fairer Future for Children and Families
Reform should not be about taking sides. It should be about improving a system that families rely on during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
A Mandatory Three-Tier Evidence-Based Family Justice Triage Assessment would help create a system that is:
Fairer Safer More transparent More consistent Focused on children’s welfare.
Children deserve decisions based on evidence, not assumptions.
Reform That Works is calling for a family justice system that identifies risk accurately, protects genuine survivors, supports children, and delivers fair outcomes for families.
Deanna Newell
Founder – DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works www.dnfamilylaw.co.uk
Deanna Newell | Founder | DN Family Law
Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better
