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Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Childrens Partnership Logo

Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

All agencies work together to keep children and young people safe

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Court Processes

What is the Family Law Court?

The Family Law Court is essentially specialist courts in which family matters are decided. This can include contact with and residence of children, child maintenance, taking children into care and adoption.

Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) represents children in family court cases. Their role is to ensure that children's voices are heard and decisions are taken in their best interests. They are independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and all similar agencies.

The Family Law Court – your roles and responsibilities

Occasionally practitioners working with children and their families may be asked to attend and provide evidence to the Family Law Court. Your organisation should be able to offer you support and guidance to help you provide any required reports and to attend court.

To support staff to prepare and effectively present evidence in court, we have developed two short films Court Etiquette and Top 10 tips for court. For more information and to view the films see .  

National Resources  

Divorce, separation and legal issues on the GOV.UK website - information about child maintenance, disagreements about parentage and child custody issues

Coram Children’s Legal Centre 

Advice Now 

Family Rights Group 

In this section:

  • Information and Resources
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Schools and Colleges

Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership includes:

Derby City Council logo Derbyshire County Council logo Derbyshire Constabulary logo NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board NHS Chesterfield Royal Hospital - NHS Foundation Trust NHS Derbyshire Community Health Services - NHS Foundation Trust

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) logo National Probation Service logo Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Contact us

Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

We are based at: 184 Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GT

Tel: 01332 642351

Email: ddscp@derby.gov.uk

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