Open Letter to Parliament and the Secretary of State for Justice

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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 justice and modernising court processes. However, meaningful reform must also address the wider challenges faced by children and families following separation, including safeguarding concerns, financial disputes, complex income arrangements, economic hardship and difficulties establishing appropriate child arrangements.

For over a year, I have been campaigning for the introduction of a Mandatory Three-Tier Family Assessment Framework across the Family Court and Child Maintenance Service.

This proposal is not about favouring one parent over another.

It is about creating a fair, consistent and evidence-based system that recognises the complexity of modern family life and ensures that families receive the right level of assessment and support at the right time.

The Proposed Three-Tier Framework

Tier 1 – Standard Assessment

A proportionate assessment for straightforward cases where children’s arrangements and financial circumstances are clear.

Tier 2 – Enhanced Family and Financial Assessment

Additional assessment where cases involve complexity, including:-

• Disputed child arrangements

• Complex income structures

• Self-employment or company income

• Financial disputes

• Repeated breaches of agreements or court orders

• Children with additional needs; or

• Concerns requiring further investigation

Tier 3 – Multi-Agency Safeguarding Review

A coordinated review for the most complex cases involving:-

• Safeguarding concerns

• Domestic abuse

• Coercive control

• Economic abuse

• Significant conflict affecting children; or

• Concerns requiring involvement from multiple agencie.

Why Change Is Needed

Too often, families reach crisis point because concerns are identified too late.

A structured triage approach could help prevent unnecessary conflict, improve consistency, reduce pressure on courts and ensure resources are focused where they are most needed.

Children should not become messengers between parents or be placed at the centre of adult disputes. Parents have a responsibility to protect children from conflict, and the state has a responsibility to provide systems that safeguard children’s welfare and recognise their needs.

Reforming Child Maintenance Assessment

Child maintenance decisions must reflect the realities of children’s lives.

Assessments need to be based on accurate financial information and recognise that some families have straightforward employment income, while others involve complex financial arrangements

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Where appropriate and with proper legal safeguards, better coordination between the Child Maintenance Service, Family Courts, Cafcass, HMRC and other agencies could help ensure decisions affecting children are based on accurate information.

A Pilot Programme for Evidence-Based Reform

I respectfully call on Parliament and the Ministry of Justice to consider piloting this framework before wider implementation.

A pilot would allow Government, professionals and families with lived experience to assess whether this approach:-

• Identifies complex cases earlier

• Improves safeguarding

• Reduces unnecessary delays

• Improves financial transparency

• Supports better decision-making; and

• Improves outcomes for children

This is not about creating unnecessary bureaucracy. It is about ensuring that the right families receive the right assessment at the right time.

Children should not have to wait years for systems to understand their family circumstances.

I ask Parliament and the Government to work towards a family justice system that is fairer, safer, more transparent and truly centred on children.

Reform That Works

Yours sincerely,

Deanna Newell

Founder - DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works

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Deanna Newell | Founder | DN Family Law

Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better