Insights
Observations on practice, the Family Court, and children's social care from thirteen years on every side of the process.
Observations on practice, the Family Court, and children's social care from thirteen years on every side of the process.
The national rollout is the right call. What the model changes, why it matters, and the questions that remain about resourcing.
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Form C, Form F, Regulation 24. What each assessment involves, who it's for, and why the support gap matters.
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The standard of proof, Scott Schedules, cross-examination, and what findings mean for the rest of your case.
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What counts as abuse, how it is investigated, risk assessment tools, coercive control, and what it means for contact.
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PD25B compliance is the baseline. What judges actually value in expert reports, and the common criticisms I see.
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The pressure on timescales is real. But rushing assessments has consequences that outlast the proceedings.
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Practical advice on cross-examination, preparation, and why saying "I don't know" is sometimes the strongest answer.
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The one part of the report written directly to the person assessed. Why they matter, and what makes a good one.
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Quality markers from 225+ assessments. Specificity, evidence-based analysis, the child's voice, and honest engagement with contradictory evidence.
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How the tests work, common issues in practice, and why a positive result is never the whole story.
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Alienating behaviours are real and harmful. But the label is overused. What assessors actually look for.
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Legal routes, when challenging is productive, and the difference between factual errors and disagreeing with analysis.
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Permanence and parental responsibility, but also varying support and emotional burden. An honest practitioner's view.
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All seven factors in plain language, with real examples of how each plays out in assessments.
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When each is ordered, what triggers a 37, the three possible outcomes, and why the distinction matters.
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Technically yes, but the consequences are significant. What actually happens if you don't engage.
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Realistic timescales by assessment type, what drives the length, and why rushing produces worse outcomes.
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Structural differences, why courts appoint ISWs, and how the two roles should work together.
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You don't pass or fail. Recommendations are nuanced, not binary. What negative findings actually mean.
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It's not about whether your house is spotless. What practitioners are really observing, from someone who's done hundreds.
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