Information for children
If you need help in understanding anything on
these pages, ask a grown up who you trust to go through it
with you.
Sometimes families have problems.
Your parents or carers might be splitting
up, or they may find it hard to look after you
properly, or to keep you safe. Families can often sort out
these problems. But sometimes they can't.
Family Courts
If your parents or
carers can't sort out their problems, they might have to go to
a family court. This is where judges and magistrates make important
decisions about where you should live, who you should see and
who should look after you.
Remember, a family court is about
family matters. It is not a criminal court, which is where people
go who have done something wrong.
Cafcass
The court may ask a person from
Cafcass to speak to you. People who work for Cafcass are called
either Children and Family Reporters or Children's Guardians.
Because children don't usually go to court, it's important that
someone explains your side of the story. Your Cafcass worker will
meet with you a number of times and spend time getting to know
you. They will help you understand what is happening in court
and they will make sure the family court hears what you have to
say.
More information
For
more information about what happens when your family goes
to court, please click on the sentence below that best
describes your family situation:
My parents or carers are splitting
up. They can't agree about where I'll
live.
My parents or carers can't agree
about how much time I spend with each of them, or with other
people in my family.
I might be adopted by
a new family.
My step-mum or step-dad wants to
adopt me.
Social Services are worried about me
and are going to ask a court to decide about how
best to help me and my family.