Pathways to Peace - Family Court Help

29/01/2026

https://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/family-law-information/pathfinder/

This guide is for people involved in children cases in the Pathfinder areas to help you understand the process.

14/01/2026

📢 Important Update for Parents Using Co-Parenting Apps: AppClose, OurFamilyWizard & TalkingParents 📱👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Dear parents and co-parents — please take a moment to read this important update on co-parenting communication tools many families rely on. These changes could affect how you plan, communicate and keep records:

🔔 1. AppClose Is No Longer Fully Free
AppClose — previously free — has introduced a subscription model for full access. Messaging, calendars and shared tools may now require payment after any trial period. If cost is a concern, check your settings and plan ahead.

💷 2. OurFamilyWizard (OFW) — Subscription Costs
OurFamilyWizard is a paid co-parenting app, with typical costs of approximately:
• £107–£215 per year per parent (depending on plan)

It offers structured communication, shared calendars, expense tracking and court-ready records. Each parent usually needs their own subscription.

🆓 3. TalkingParents — Still Free (For Now)
TalkingParents still offers a free web-based option for core communication features. However, many advanced tools and the mobile app experience are paid, and there are rumours within parenting communities that the free option may change in the future. At present, the free service remains available — but it’s wise to stay informed.

📍 Why This Matters
These apps are often referenced in parenting plans and court orders. Changes in cost can affect access, communication, and record-keeping — especially if one parent cannot or chooses not to pay.

👉 What You Can Do Now
✔ Check your app settings and subscriptions
✔ Look into discounts or hardship options where available
✔ Discuss communication arrangements with your co-parent
✔ Stay informed about future updates

13/01/2026

Here is some more information on the Pathfinder Pilot and how it differs to the standard court process.

This was introduced to Southampton court on the 6th January 2026.

You can read the full article here:

https://chroniclelaw.co.uk/blogs/2025/12/05/the-pathfinder-family-court-pilot-reforming-private-law-children-proceedings/

13/01/2026

🔍 What Is the Pathfinder Pilot – and How Is It Different from Traditional Child Arrangements?
The Pathfinder pilot is a new approach being used in some family courts to improve how decisions are made about children following parental separation. Its focus is on early intervention, child safety, and reducing conflict.
⚖️ How is it different from the traditional process?
Traditional child arrangements procedure:
Parents usually apply to court first
CAFCASS becomes involved later
Safeguarding concerns may emerge gradually
Cases can be lengthy and adversarial
The Pathfinder pilot:
Early information sharing between the court, CAFCASS, and local authorities
Safeguarding concerns identified at the start
One coordinated, child-focused plan
Fewer hearings where possible
Greater emphasis on problem-solving rather than blame
✅ Pros of the Pathfinder Pilot
Earlier safeguarding for children
Child-focused decision-making
Less adversarial, reducing stress for families
Faster outcomes in many cases
Joined-up working between agencies
⚠️ Cons / Challenges
Limited availability in selected court areas
Reduced sense of parental control early on
Concerns about information sharing
Ongoing adjustment as the pilot develops
Not suitable for every case
🌱 Why it matters
Pathfinder aims to reduce harm, delay, and conflict by addressing issues early, while keeping children at the centre of the process.

29/10/2025

The wheel of domestic abuse highlighting abusers behaviours and their victims response

23/10/2025

The presumption of contact in family courts in England and Wales has been repealed.

The presumption of contact, for too long, placed countless children in harm’s way, prioritising rigid assumptions over their safety and well-being.My family and I have experienced the pain caused by this policy.

What This Means for Children in the UK
This repeal is a lifeline for children caught in family court proceedings. It shifts the focus to what truly matters: their safety, welfare, and right to be heard. No longer will courts automatically assume contact with a parent is in a child’s best interest, especially in cases where harm or risk is present. This change paves the way for more individualised, compassionate decisions, ensuring children are protected from unsafe situations and their needs are placed at the heart of every ruling.

19/08/2025

One of the most important parts of the Children's Act 1989 is the Child Welfare Checklist which the court will always be using to steer and guide the proceedings. This is useful to think about this checklist and what is best for the children at all times whether you are giving oral evidence in court, speaking or submitting statements.

Full link here to the act:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41/section/1

Summary of the Welfare Checklist below:
Child's Wishes and Feelings: The court must consider the child's ascertainable wishes and feelings, taking into account their age and understanding.
Child's Needs: The court will examine the child's physical, emotional, and educational needs.
Impact of Change: The likely effect of any changes in the child's circumstances is carefully considered.
Child's Characteristics: The court will also consider the child's age, s*x, background, and any other relevant characteristics.
Harm: The court will assess any harm the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering.
Parental Capacity: The court will evaluate the capacity of each parent, or any other relevant person, to meet the child's needs.
Court Powers: The range of powers available to the court under the Act is also considered.
Need for Stability: The court also needs to consider the need to secure stability in the child's life.

An Act to reform the law relating to children; to provide for local authority services for children in need and others; to amend the law with respect to children’s homes, community homes, voluntary homes and voluntary organisations; to make provision with respect to fostering, child minding and da...

07/07/2025

Judge levels in Family Court explained:

Magistrates – magistrates are ‘lay’ people from the community who have been recruited and trained to hear cases. They will not usually have a legal background. They receive support from Legal Advisers who advise them on the law and procedure.

District level – these are the judges that hear most family law cases.

Circuit level – these judges are allocated cases which are considered to have additional complexity. They can also deal with some appeal cases.

Some cases are very complex and so they may be allocated to judges who sit in the High Court (Family Division). Those judges will also deal with appeals.

11/04/2025

Who are CAFCASS?
CAFCASS are The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.
They are qualified social workers but they are independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities.

What does CAFCASS do?
CAFCASS’ duty is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children going through the family court system.
They provide reports, undertake checks, liaise with the parties and the courts and make recommendations on the best outcome for the child subject to the evidence presented to them.

When will CAFCASS become involved with a case?
A referral to CAFCASS will be triggered upon the issue of any private law Children Act 1989 application. This referral will mean that CAFCASS are requested to undertake initial safeguarding checks.

10/04/2025

Pathways to Peace is a supportive and empathetic McKenzie friend services for those navigating family court without a solicitor.

Why choose us to assist you?

We have been through the family court and have personal experience of the divorce process, child arrangements proceedings and non molestation orders.

We are survivors of abuse, we have experience of protecting children from abusive parents and we want to help you and ensure that you are not alone through this stressful time.

Our service for you is affordable, cost effective and available throughout the whole of England and Wales.

09/04/2025

Neurodiversity and Family Court

On 30 January 2025, the Family Justice Council published guidance for legal practitioners working with neurodiverse users of the Family Justice System.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent.
The most common types of neurodiversity, which the guidance focuses on, are:
- Autism, sometimes referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Autism Spectrum Condition
- ADHD or ADD
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Developmental Co-ordination Disorder
- Dysgraphia
- Tourette’s Syndrome

What is the new guidance?
The new guidance follows two years of research from across the family justice system.
It sets out a summary of the perceived limitations of each common type of neurodiversity but also the perceived strengths that are often overlooked.
The guidance sets out the common misunderstandings, stereotypes and stigmas faced by neurodivergent individuals, how communication styles often differ along with perceived differences in social interaction and presentation. It explains the need to understand each individual and the challenges they may face in the Family Justice System.
The most helpful part of the guidance is the practical advice on what adjustments are needed to overcome barriers that neurodivergent people may face, providing specific examples for what each adjustment could look like, helping both practitioners in understanding the likely accommodations needed and providing neurodivergent clients with an insight into the potential adjustments available.

Please click the following link to download a copy of this guidance

More information about the Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for practitioners

08/04/2025

The Domestic Abuse Power and Control Wheel

Many survivors of domestic abuse and will say that when they saw the Power and Control Wheel for the first time, what they were going through suddenly made sense. This visual aid, used by advocates, psychologists, educators, healthcare workers and similar, outline the common tactics used by abusers.

UK Statistics from 2023

Around two in three partner abuse victims (65.7%) reported experiencing non-physical abuse (emotional, financial). Male victims reported experiencing a statistically significant higher level of force (31.8%) than female victims (18.9%). There was a statistically significant higher percentage of female victims (35.0%) who experienced threats compared with male victims (22.5%).

There was no significant difference between female and male victims in the prevalence of experiences of s*xual assault by r**e or pe*******on, including attempts, indecent exposure or unwanted touching and stalking.