The study explores the experiences of both families who had used the family courts and those who hadn't with the aim of better understanding the challenges they faced and the type of support that helped.
The research was conducted by Dr Jon Symonds, Professor Esther Dermott and Dr Eleanor Staples from the School for Policy Studies and Professor Emma Hitchings from the Law School.
Their report, which was funded by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, sets out their findings and makes a number of recommendations:
- Parents and children valued support that was characterised as accessible, informative, realistic and emotionally aware. The development of new systems of support for families who are separating should consider how well these criteria are met.
- Policy developments should consider how a ‘safety net’ of support can be developed for separating families that includes authoritative information, legal advice and emotional support.
- More thought needs to be given about how parents are supported to help their children through the process by hearing their wishes and feelings, as well as providing them with age–appropriate information.
- Further efforts to divert families from court could include development of offers beyond mediation, which focus more on advice, guidance and emotional support for parents and their children.
- The language and court processes could be reviewed to make a more positive experience and children could be heard earlier in the process to feel their views have helped to influence decisions.
Lead researcher Dr Symonds, senior lecturer in Social Work with children and families, said: “This research shows that more thought needs to be given to how parents can be supported to meet the needs of their children, especially around providing them with age-appropriate information. In addition, it suggests that it may be positive for older children and young adults to be able to access information directly.
"We also need to think about what services are in place to provide a separation ‘safety net’ for people who do not otherwise have the resources required to navigate separation."