McKenzie Friend of the Children

12/10/2026

🔥 CAFCASS: SHOULD THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS CARRY SO MUCH WEIGHT?

A report about your family. Recommendations about your child. Potential consequences for years to come.

It is hardly surprising that Cafcass provokes strong feelings.

Some parents feel their adviser finally heard their child’s voice. Others feel misunderstood, dismissed or reduced to a few paragraphs.

⚖️ Cafcass advises. The judge or magistrates make the final decision.

📊 But how often does the court follow Cafcass?

A small Cafcass study published in 2012 examined 140 cases where recommendations could be compared with the court’s outcome:

▪️ 76.4% matched the recommendations.
▪️ 14.3% matched, subject to further court review.
▪️ 5.7% matched only partially.
▪️ 3.6% did not match.

That is approximately 91% matching, including cases awaiting review, and 9% differing partly or entirely.

These are historical findings from a small study—not current national statistics.

🔥 Does that agreement demonstrate confidence in Cafcass’s expertise—or raise questions about how effectively recommendations are challenged?

And how effectively can a parent challenge a recommendation when they cannot afford legal representation?

Professional expertise deserves respect. It should also withstand scrutiny.

💬 Were the conclusions supported by evidence?
💬 Were safeguarding concerns properly explored?
💬 Was the child’s voice understood in context?
💬 Were alternative arrangements fairly considered?

Disagreeing with a recommendation does not prove it is wrong. Equally, a professional title should never make an opinion beyond question.

👉 Would you support an independent review process for disputed Cafcass assessments—or would that cause more delay for children already waiting for stability?

Let’s debate respectfully. Please keep comments general: no names, identifying details or confidential court documents. 🦋

11/10/2026

⚖️ FALSE ALLEGATIONS IN THE FAMILY COURT: SHOULD THERE BE A PUNISHMENT?

If a parent deliberately invents allegations to damage the other parent’s relationship with their child, should there be consequences?

A knowingly fabricated allegation can mean months of separation, costly proceedings and enormous distress. The child can be left carrying the consequences of an adult’s dishonesty. 💔

But there is a crucial distinction:

🚨 An allegation that is NOT PROVED is not automatically a deliberate lie.

Abuse can happen without witnesses. Evidence can be limited. A parent may also raise a genuine concern that turns out to be mistaken.

Would introducing tougher punishments deter deliberate dishonesty—or frighten genuine victims into staying silent?

And where the court establishes that an allegation was knowingly fabricated, what should happen?

💬 Should the person responsible contribute towards the other parent’s legal costs?

💬 Should the court consider that behaviour when assessing their ability to meet the child’s needs?

💬 Should serious cases attract further legal consequences?

💬 Or could punishing a parent cause further harm to the child?

Any decision about a child’s living or contact arrangements should protect their welfare, rather than become a punishment for an adult.

So, where should the line be drawn between protecting people who report abuse and holding people accountable for deliberate lies?

👇 What do YOU think—and what safeguards would you want?

Please keep comments respectful and avoid naming anyone or sharing identifying details of court cases.

09/10/2026

⚖️ DOMESTIC ABUSE MUST NOW BE FORMALLY RECORDED AT SENTENCING

A significant change came into force in England and Wales on 5 October 2026.

Criminal courts must now state in open court when an offence involved domestic abuse and formally record that finding at sentencing.

🔎 Why does this matter?

An offence recorded as assault or stalking may not, on its own, reveal the domestic abuse behind it. The new marker is intended to help police, prisons and probation recognise perpetrators, identify repeat offending and manage the risks they pose.

📌 For anyone involved in child arrangements proceedings: this change applies to criminal courts. It does not automatically change a family court order.

Better recording is a welcome step. The real test will be whether that information leads to better protection for victims and children. 💜

Do you think this will make a meaningful difference?

Read more:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/major-court-change-comes-force-34716733

For the first time, courts in the UK will formally record when an offence involved domestic abuse so offenders can be marked and tracked

09/10/2026

⚖️ Faster family courts—but are survivors being fully heard?

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reports on a troubling case under the new “child-focused” court model.

A father who admitted controlling behaviour and mistreating his children was allowed supervised contact. Their mother challenged the decision, arguing that post-separation abuse had been overlooked.

The Court of Appeal largely rejected her appeal, finding that the judge had considered the abuse and could assess the risks.

Women’s groups welcome better information-gathering and greater attention to children’s voices—but warn that quicker proceedings must preserve fairness and proper scrutiny of abuse.

💬 My view: a child-focused system must give safety concerns the attention they deserve. Abuse does not necessarily end when a relationship ends.

What would give you confidence that these concerns are being properly heard?

Read the article:
https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-10-06/child-focused-court-allows-abusive-father-access-to-his-children

A decision made by under new court model was challenged for the first time at court of appeal – and upheld

04/10/2026

💔 Imagine believing you have two children—and then discovering they probably never existed.

BBC News reports an extraordinary family court case involving a man who was sent ultrasound images, baby photographs and messages convincing him he had become a father twice.

Over two years, he paid his former partner around £30,000.

He applied to the Family Court after she claimed she had sold their children for £500. She later admitted that there were no children.

⚖️ Mrs Justice Judd found the evidence strongly supported the children never having existed. She described the deception as cruel: both a man and his mother had been led to believe they had children and grandchildren.

The judge could not establish the woman’s motive.

Behind this shocking story is the emotional impact of losing a family you believed was real.

💬 What stands out most to you about this case?

Read the BBC report 👇
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq073egz324zo](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq073egz324zo)

29/09/2026

💔 When a child refuses to see a parent, the reason matters.

A Guardian investigation tells the story of a mother whose two daughters were moved to live with their father after a court accepted an expert’s evidence about “parental alienation”. Years later, the High Court found that findings based on that evidence lacked a solid foundation. Yet the mother is still trying to rebuild her relationship with her daughters.

The Family Justice Council’s guidance for England and Wales is clear: parental alienation syndrome has no evidential basis. Where a child resists contact, the court must examine what is happening in that child’s life, including any allegations of domestic abuse, and make findings based on evidence. A child’s reluctance should never be explained away by a label.

Every child deserves to be heard. Every allegation deserves careful scrutiny. And decisions that can change a family’s life must rest on reliable evidence. ⚖️

Read the article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/29/mother-feels-betrayed-family-courts-parental-alienation-england-wales

The theory of parental alienation is a ‘harmful pseudo-science’, according to recent official guidance in England and Wales. Yet it led to Sarah’s two daughters being taken away six years ago – and never returned

25/09/2026

⚖️ When a parent raises concerns about abuse, is the family court truly hearing them?

A Sky News investigation shares the experiences of women who say they felt silenced during family court proceedings. Some described fearing that speaking up about abuse could be used against them. The report also asks whether children’s safety and voices are being given enough weight.

Family courts hear cases in private to protect children. But privacy must still allow accountability, and allegations of abuse must be considered carefully.

The President of the Family Division told Sky News that changing the law alone will not be enough: the culture of the courts must change too.

As a McKenzie Friend supporting parents in child arrangements cases, I believe every parent should be able to raise genuine safeguarding concerns and know they will be heard. Above all, children’s welfare and safety must come first. 🦋

Read the investigation: https://news.sky.com/story/i-was-manipulated-and-silenced-inside-the-secret-courts-failing-women-13590643

Family courts operate in private conditions to protect children's identities, but many feel the secrecy works instead to hide or cover up how people are treated.

18/09/2026

⚖️ YOU CAN’T SIMPLY GIVE AWAY YOUR ASSETS TO AVOID CHILD MAINTENANCE!

A Family Court judge has set aside a property transfer after finding that a father had placed his remaining UK property into a trust for his sister in an attempt to avoid paying almost £150,000 in capitalised child maintenance for his three daughters.

The property was worth up to £750,000, with estimated equity of between £440,000 and £550,000. The court found that the father—who was living and working abroad—had tried to remove his remaining English asset from the reach of enforcement proceedings.

Emails reportedly revealed a clear intention to defeat the anticipated court order. The judge described the father as “dishonest and deceitful” and set aside the trust arrangement, meaning the property can now potentially be sold to satisfy the outstanding order.

The judge made an especially powerful point: this was not simply a financial battle between a former husband and wife. In reality, it concerned a father’s obligation to financially support his three daughters.

📌 The message from this case is clear:

Court orders cannot simply be ignored.

Transferring property to a relative will not necessarily protect it.

The Family Court has significant powers to investigate suspicious transactions, set them aside and enforce its orders.

Children should not be deprived of financial support through dishonesty or the deliberate disposal of assets.

What do you think? Should courts take an even tougher approach when a parent deliberately attempts to avoid supporting their children?

Read the full article here 👇
https://todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk/court-sets-aside-deceitful-husbands-attempt-to-avoid-paying-150000-child-maintenance/

Court sets aside 'deceitful' husband's attempt to avoid paying £150,000 child maintenance: A judge at Yeovil Financial Remedies Court (pictured) has described a man who transferred his remaining UK property into a trust for his sister in a bid

06/09/2026

⚖️ 7 MISTAKES THAT COULD DAMAGE YOUR CHILD ARRANGEMENTS CASE ⚖️

Family Court is not about proving that you are the “better” parent or punishing your ex. The court’s paramount consideration is your child’s welfare. 👧👦

These common mistakes could seriously undermine an otherwise reasonable case:

❌ 1. Treating the case as a battle to be won

The court is not interested in crowning a winner. It wants to know what arrangements will best meet your child’s needs.

✅ Talk about solutions, stability and your child—not revenge.

❌ 2. Sending angry or abusive messages

That furious text may feel justified at the time, but imagine it being read aloud in court. 📱

✅ Keep communication brief, polite, factual and child-focused.

❌ 3. Making vague allegations

Statements such as “They are a narcissist” or “They are dangerous” carry far less weight than clear, relevant evidence.

✅ Explain exactly what happened, when it happened, who witnessed it and how it affected the child.

❌ 4. Ignoring genuine safeguarding concerns

Being child-focused does not mean overlooking abuse, neglect or risk. Where concerns are genuine, they should be raised clearly and supported by evidence wherever possible. 🚨

✅ Focus on specific behaviour and its impact—not labels or exaggeration.

❌ 5. Speaking negatively about the other parent to the child

Children should not be used as messengers, questioned after contact or made to feel guilty for loving the other parent. 💔

✅ Give your child permission to enjoy a safe relationship with both sides of their family.

❌ 6. Refusing every possible compromise

Unless it would be unsafe, showing that you can consider practical proposals may demonstrate that you are focused on your child rather than parental conflict.

✅ Suggest workable alternatives instead of simply saying “no.”

❌ 7. Forgetting the Child Welfare Checklist

The court may consider the child’s wishes and feelings, their needs, the likely effect of change, relevant characteristics, any harm suffered or risk of harm, each parent’s ability to meet their needs and the court’s available powers.

✅ Build your case around your child’s welfare—not just what feels fair to you.

💡 THE MOST POWERFUL QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF:

“If a judge or Cafcass officer read this message, statement or proposal, would it show that I am putting my child first?”

Child arrangements proceedings are not about perfect parenting. They are about demonstrating calm, safe and child-focused decision-making—even when the other parent makes that extremely difficult.

📌 Save this post for later.

🔄 Share it with somebody going through the Family Court.

💬 Which of these mistakes do you see most often?

This post provides general information about child arrangements in England and is not legal advice. Official information confirms that a Child Arrangements Order can decide where a child lives, whom they spend time with and other forms of contact; the court will only make an order where it considers that best for the child: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/apply-for-court-order

How to make arrangements for your children if you divorce or separate, mediation and how to apply for a court order if you cannot agree.

19/07/2026

Breaking News in Australia-Alleged DV victim labelled 'difficult witness', family court permanently removes children

A confronting ABC investigation has highlighted serious questions about how Australia's family court system handles cases involving allegations of domestic violence and child abuse.

The story follows a mother who lost custody of her two children despite alleging years of abuse by her former partner. The court found there was insufficient evidence to support those allegations, but in an extraordinary twist, the father—who had been awarded sole custody—returned the children to their mother, saying the outcome was not what he wanted and was not in the children's best interests.

The investigation also examines new research suggesting family courts may not be well equipped to assess complex family violence and child sexual abuse allegations. Researchers argue that trauma can affect how victims present in court and are calling for reforms to improve understanding of coercive control, abuse and grooming.

It's a powerful reminder of how difficult and complex these cases can be—and why many experts believe the system needs reform to better protect children and families.

The Family Court granted John full custody of his kids, but he returned them to their mother, saying the judge got it wrong.