We want to improve outcomes for children involved in court cases by ensuring that their wishes and interests are at the heart of the family justice system. The DCA commissioned research from Cardiff university which suggests that children involved in family court proceedings often feel excluded and unheard in the process. Our aim is to ensure that:
Young people in proceedings feel that the information given to them is clear;
They are able to understand what is happening and why;
They are told about the decisions made about them in a way which is in keeping with their age and level of understanding;
They felt that the right choices had been given to them regarding their participation in the proceedings etc. in keeping with their age and understanding; and
They are able to access information, if they choose to, when they reach 18 or thereafter, about the decisions made in their case.
We are consulting about whether and how children could ask questions, attend court and talk to the judge or the magistrates directly. We are also discussing how judges might speak to children and account to them for the decisions that they have made about them. We are considering how we might keep a record of the court's judgment, so that, if the child wishes to, they are able to find out about their case when they grow up.
We will announce in early 2007 the detail of how we intend to proceed following the consultation and we will also publish the responses to the consultation papers.