Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Department has undertaken an assessment of the potential relationship between family separation, family court proceedings and mental health outcomes.

The Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of the potential relationship between family separation, family court proceedings and mental health outcomes. We are aware of the impact that involvement in family court proceedings can have on the mental health of children, parents and other parties.

The Government is committed to rolling out Child Focused Courts nationally by March 2029. This represents significant reform to private law children’s proceedings and will improve the experience and participation of children and families in the family courts.

In the Child Focussed Courts model, families benefit from a streamlined, problem-solving approach which brings forward a holistic assessment of needs and risks and enables the court to make safe decisions without delay. This approach increases the evidence available to judges earlier in the case, and reduces the number of cases returning to court, protecting children and families from further trauma.

HMCTS training materials highlight resources staff can signpost where they are concerned about a party’s mental health. Cafcass' Child Impact Assessment Framework brings together guidance, practice aids and resources for practitioners relating to mental health, trauma-informed practice and working with adults, children and young people with additional needs.