“It wasn’t like the experience I’d had of the criminal court. Very early on a relationship started to build up. I was given the opportunity to speak and build up this relationship with the judge, the social worker and the professionals. I knew what was happening. I knew the plan. It makes me want to cry thinking back to it. I was given the opportunity to speak about myself, and to learn, and to gain trust.” [Parent]

In response to the Public Family Law Group's interim report on on achieving best practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems, this briefing lays out the Centre's vision, with special reference to the evidence and practice of problem-solving courts and wider problem-solving justice initiatives.

We spoke to Dr. Jadwiga Leigh about this innovative parenting programme that she leads in Stockport in the North-West of England. To date, they have worked with 79 families but this number is forever growing.

The Origins of New Beginnings

This guidance contains information about key issues in order to help you decide whether, when and how to establish a local FDAC. It is intended for a variety of stakeholders including children's services, local authority commissioners and courts.

This case-study examines a new nationally administered programme in Wales called Early Action Together that aims to establish a multi-agency approach to offending behaviour fuelled by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Dr Geraldine O’Hare from the Probation Board Northern Ireland (PBNI) speaks to us about their programme, designed to help men stop abusive behaviour in intimate relationships.

Dr Geraldine O’Hare from the Probation Board Northern Ireland (PBNI) talks to us about their Aspire project set up in 2017.

About the WSA

Problem-solving courts in Scotland

The first PSC in Scotland was established in 2001; the Glasgow Drug Court, which oversees the management of offenders on Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs).

After practicing Functional Family Therapy (FFT) for nearly four years, LYFT evaluated and revised the model and is now pioneering a different approach to youth offending by tackling underlying issues within the family. Despite FFT having great outcomes, the team recognised that the needs of the children and families were changing, and they also wanted to include those families who weren’t applicable.