(reprinted from LAW SOCIETY GAZETTE - 13TH OCTOBER 2005)

The Department for Constitutional Affairs notifies that a cross-government review of child care preoceedings in England and Wales will look at cases involving public law,where the child may be taken away from its family.

It will examine the extent to which the current system for deciding care cases in the courts ensures that all resources (including childrens services are used in the most effective, efficient, proportionate and timely way to deliver the best outcomes for the children and families concerned.

The review will examine the effectiveness of various early intervention initiatives in preventing cases going to court, where this is possible and appropriate, and at improving outcomes in those cases that do go before the court. It will draw on existing research and will take views deom a wide range of people involved in the current system,such as the judiciary, lawyers, social workers, children and families, government and non-government bodies, and those working in child care.

In particular, the Department for Constitutional Affairs seeks views from those with experience of the current child protection system in the courts on changes that could be made to enable it to deliver better outcomes for children.

All comments,submissions and views should be sent by 30 November 2005 to:

David Stokes
Strategic Planning Division
Department for Constitutional Affairs
Selbourne House 54 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW

e-mail david.stokes@dca.gsi.gov.uk