Petition: Reform of the Family Justice System to Introduce a Children First Triage Approach
- Deanna Newell
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
We call upon HM Government to reform the family justice system to ensure that children are protected from delay, conflict, and fragmented decision-making through the introduction of a structured Family Justice Triage System.
At present, many children are affected by prolonged parental conflict, delays in family court proceedings, and limited coordination between family courts, child maintenance services, and safeguarding agencies.
Some cases may also involve factors such as domestic abuse or coercive control, which require early identification and appropriate safeguarding responses.
These issues can result in inconsistency, repeated litigation, and prolonged uncertainty for families.
We believe that the system should be reformed to ensure earlier intervention, improved safeguarding, and more consistent, evidence-based decision-making.
We therefore call for the Government to:
Introduce mandatory early safeguarding and risk assessment in relevant family cases, including identification of domestic abuse and coercive control risks
Establish a Family Justice Triage System to ensure early case allocation based on risk and need
Improve coordination between family courts, child maintenance services, and safeguarding professionals
Strengthen requirements for financial disclosure and transparency where relevant
Improve enforcement of child maintenance obligations
Ensure that court proceedings are used as a last resort, reserved for high-risk or complex cases
The proposed triage system would direct cases as follows:
Low conflict cases → mediation and support services
Medium conflict cases → structured case management
High-risk cases → court-based safeguarding pathway
High-risk cases may include those involving safeguarding concerns such as domestic abuse, coercive control, or in cases where there is significant risk to child welfare.
Purpose of the reform
These changes aim to reduce delays, improve consistency, strengthen safeguarding responses, and ensure that the welfare and best interests of the child remain the central priority in all family justice decisions.
A modern family justice system should prioritise early intervention, coordinated services, financial transparency, and evidence-based decision-making to improve outcomes for children and families.
Campaign Spokesperson
Campaign founder Deanna Newell said:-
“Family courts and child maintenance services must work more effectively together so that children are not left waiting years for stability, safety, or fairness. No child should grow up in poverty, and no parent should be left without fair and timely financial support.”
“Too many children are growing up in the middle of prolonged parental conflict or domestic abuse, often made worse by delays and fragmentation within the system. We need a more joined-up, evidence-based approach that prioritises early support and puts children first.”
“Financial arrangements following separation, including divorce settlements and child maintenance decisions, can significantly affect both parents and children. Poverty or financial hardship affecting either parent can directly impact children’s wellbeing.”
“We must ensure accountability on all sides, particularly where financial arrangements are used to exert control, restrict access, or prolong conflict. These issues should be understood through the frameworks of coercive control and economic abuse, based on evidence rather than assumptions or stereotypes.”
“There is also a need for greater clarity in how we describe post-separation conflict. All allegations must be assessed carefully alongside safeguarding concerns, using evidence-based and gender-neutral approaches.”
“The focus must remain on children’s wellbeing and mental health, which is increasingly affected by prolonged parental conflict.”
“This campaign is non-partisan and focused solely on improving outcomes for children and families through evidence-based reform.”
“A message to all parents: accountability matters. Children should not be placed in the middle of financial disputes or used, intentionally or unintentionally, as leverage in adult conflict.”
Get Involved
The Children First campaign invites members of the public to:-
Share experiences of the family justice system
Support reform discussions
Raise awareness of systemic issues affecting families
Advocate for evidence-based policy change
Closing Statement
A modern family justice system must prioritise children through early intervention, coordinated services, financial transparency, and evidence-based decision-making.
Court should be a last resort, not the default pathway.
Children First. Facts First. Evidence First.
The Right Support. The Right Outcome.
Deanna Newell Family Law
Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better
