If you’re going to the family court about who your child lives with or spends time with, the way your case is handled may be changing. A new model called Child Focused Courts is being rolled out across England and Wales. It was trialled under the name “Pathfinder” from February 2022, and in March 2026 the government confirmed it will spread nationally.
Here’s what it is, what it could mean for you and your child, and what to watch out for.
Is my court a Child Focused Court?
The model is already running in 10 court areas, including all of Wales, West Yorkshire, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Dorset, and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Eight more areas in England are due to join during 2026 to 2027:
- Northumbria and North Durham
- Cleveland and South Durham
- Lancashire
- Cumbria
- York and North Yorkshire
- Cheshire and Merseyside
- Northamptonshire
- Coventry and Warwickshire
The rest of England will follow over the next few years. If you’re not sure, ask your court or your solicitor which system your case is in.
What’s different?
The old system relied on a series of hearings, with each side arguing its case. Child Focused Courts work differently. The court gathers information at the very start, before anyone sits in a courtroom.
- A Child Impact Report replaces the section 7 report. Early in your case, a family court adviser or social worker meets and speaks with your child. Their report tells the court how the situation is affecting your child, and what your child wants and feels.
- Domestic abuse is looked at from the start. These courts work with domestic abuse specialists and advisers. They’re meant to spot abuse early, rather than leaving it to come out later.
- Fewer hearings. Because the information is gathered first, cases need fewer trips to court.
- Faster decisions. In North Wales, early pilot figures showed the average case dropping from 29 weeks to 18.
The benefits for you and your child
- Your child is heard. Your child gets the chance to say how things are for them, in a child-friendly way, early on.
- Less time stuck in the process. A shorter case means less time living in limbo, fewer court dates to dread, and less time having to deal with him through the court.
- Abuse taken seriously from day one. In the pilots, many mothers said this model felt safer and more supportive than the old system. They valued being spared mediation and having access to specialist domestic abuse support.
- Fewer chances for him to drag it out. Fewer hearings means fewer opportunities to use the court process to keep control over you.
The drawbacks to be aware of
- You have to be ready early. Because information is gathered at the start, you need to explain the abuse clearly and fully from the beginning. Some women in the pilots said the early stages moved too fast for them to say everything.
- Being heard isn’t the same as deciding. Your child’s wishes and feelings matter, but the court still decides. Some children in the pilots were confused or upset when the outcome didn’t match what they’d said, and nobody explained why.
- Your child’s words can be shaped. If he has been influencing what your child says, a child-focused system can be used against you. Tell the court if you believe this is happening.
- It’s not perfect yet. In the pilots, some women still felt disbelieved. Safety measures in court weren’t always put in place, and information sharing between services was inconsistent.
- The law on contact hasn’t changed yet. Courts still start from the assumption that a child benefits from both parents being involved, unless that would put the child at risk. The government has proposed removing this assumption, but until Parliament passes that change, it still applies.
How this might make you feel
- Relieved that it might be over sooner
- Anxious about having to explain everything at the very start
- Worried about what your child might say, or what he has told them to say
- Protective of your child, and unsure about them being interviewed
- Frustrated if you’re in an area that hasn’t changed yet
What you can do
- Tell them about the abuse at the very start, on your application form and to everyone you speak to. Don’t hold back details for later.
- Keep a record of incidents, dates and messages before your case starts, so you’re ready when the information is gathered.
- Ask about special measures at court, such as separate waiting areas, screens or a video link.
- Prepare your child gently. Tell them someone may want to talk to them, and that it’s fine to say how they feel. Don’t tell them what to say.
- Ask what will happen after the final order. Families in the pilots were often told their case would be reviewed, but this rarely happened.
Go deeper
- Dictionary: child arrangements order, section 7 report, fact-finding hearing, Practice Direction 12J, special measures
- Read: Child Arrangements Orders: What They Actually Decide, Proving Domestic Abuse Isn’t the Same as Proving Risk to Your Child, Why Does Doing the Right Thing Feel So Wrong? Looking After Yourself Through Court
- Guides: Keep A Record shows you how to build a record you can use from day one. Non-Molestation Applications: What’s the Catch explains protective orders alongside your case. You can find them on our Get Help page.
The Women’s Railroad is the original practical guide to equip women with the knowledge and options to navigate and leave domestic abuse.
