Child Arrangements: Presumption of Parental Involvement Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Child Arrangements: Presumption of Parental Involvement

Helen Hayes Excerpts
Wednesday 22nd January 2025

(1 week, 4 days ago)

Westminster Hall
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Marie Tidball Portrait Dr Tidball
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I absolutely do agree and will return to my proposals for reform later.

Helen Hayes Portrait Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab)
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My hon. Friend is making an immensely powerful speech. It was extremely moving yesterday for the Education Committee to hear directly from my hon. Friend’s constituent, Claire Throssell. Claire’s work, in the context of her unbearably painful experience, is deeply inspiring, and I pay tribute to her.

We heard from her how problems in the family courts, including but not limited to the presumption of contact, have knock-on consequences for the wider work of child protection. Will my hon. Friend join me in calling on the Minister to ensure that there is strong, joined-up and effective working between her Department and the Department for Education so that we make sure that everyone who has a role in the protection of children is doing the most effective work possible?

Marie Tidball Portrait Dr Tidball
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I agree. We have said that we will take a mission-centred approach in Government, particularly to halve violence against women and girls, and I will return to that point. As a reference for Hansard, I mention that Claire Throssell MBE is with us in this Chamber today.