Expert to Discuss the Importance of the Voice of the Child
Expert to Discuss the Importance of the Voice of the Child During Parental Conflict and Separation
The Family
Court Proceedings Reforms Bill comes in to effect 31 March.
This Bill makes significant changes to the Care of Children
Act 2004 and is designed to help families resolve their
child arrangement matters outside of the Family
Court.
Justice Minister Judith Collins has stated that a key goal of the reforms is to, “put the needs of children and vulnerable people first to ensure the Family Court focuses on those who need it most.”
Jill Goldson of The Family Matters Centre in Auckland welcomes this renewed focus on children. She has specialised in championing the interests of children during times of parental conflict and separation for over 20 years.
To coincide with the reforms
taking place, Ms Goldson has invited UK based Anthony
Douglas, the Chief Executive of Children and Family Advisory
and Support Service (Cafcass) to speak to families and
practitioners about lessons learned in the recent and
ongoing Court reforms in the UK. One of his
key
discoveries is that family law reform can help
increase the resilience of children and also support parents
to make better agreements about parenting.
Awarded a CBE for his work in family justice, Anthony oversees the process for over 150,000 separating families and children annually. He is an expert on adoption and fostering, best practice in family and child adjustment and in incorporating the voice of the child and adolescents (when appropriate) in family separation.
Mr. Douglas will present a 2 hour seminar in Auckland (3 April), Wellington (7 April) and Christchurch (9 April)
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