Introduction of the Child Focused Model 17th March 2026
On the 17th of March 2026, Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Labour, David Lammy, announced the national rollout of the Child Focused Model, formally known as the Private Law Pathfinder, in the Family Courts.
So, what is the Child Focused Model?
The Child Focused Model implements substantial reform to private law children proceedings. The model aims to deliver major improvements to the Court process and the outcomes experienced by the children and parents involved through the collaboration of professionals across the family justice system. This will also include cases where domestic abuse is a feature.
The government has stated that they remain steadfast in their commitment and focus to tackle the scourge of domestic abuse against women and girls. The national roll out of the Child Focused Model will contribute massively to this through identifying risks in the early stages of proceedings ensuring all victims of domestic abuse are heard and specifically support is provided.
Current position of the Child Focused Model
The model is currently active in 10 out of 43 court areas across England and Wales, equivalent to around a quarter of relevant cases. Already, the percentage of children seen by social workers has more than doubled. Victims of domestic abuse and other harms receive expert support from Independent Domestic Violence Advisers.
The model was first piloted in Dorset and North Wales in 2022, and evidence from this has informed the Governments approach to implement this in further Courts in England and Wales. Evidence from the Courts that have the model implemented shows that:-
- The length of time families are in proceedings have reduced significantly, with cases being resolved up to seven and a half months faster.
- The backlog in pilot court areas more than halved, freeing up capacity for other proceedings.
- The model requires all the dedicated professionals, magistrates and judges in our family courts to collaborate more efficiently and adopt a problem-solving approach. A published process evaluation found professionals are working more closely together and hearing the voice of the child.
The future of the Child Focused Model
The Government is committed to rolling out the Child Focused Model nationally over the next three years, investing £17 million in 2026/27 to fund the next expansion in the Northeast, North West and East Midlands, which was announced in the statement of 25 February.
Reflection
Reflecting on this development, the Child Focused Model represents a meaningful and necessary shift in how private law children’s cases are approached. The emphasis on early intervention, multi-agency collaboration, and prioritising the voice of the child is particularly encouraging. Too often, family proceedings can become prolonged and adversarial, which ultimately places additional strain on children and families already in difficult circumstances.
What stands out most is the proactive approach to identifying domestic abuse at an early stage. Ensuring that victims are properly supported and heard is essential, and the integration of specialist advisers within the process appears to be a significant step forward. If implemented effectively, this could help create a safer and more responsive system for vulnerable individuals.
The reduction in case duration and backlog is also a notable improvement. Delays in family proceedings can have lasting impacts on children, so a more efficient system is clearly beneficial. However, it will be important to ensure that speed does not come at the expense of thoroughness or fairness.
Overall, the model reflects a broader cultural shift within the family justice system, moving away from a purely procedural approach towards one that is more holistic and child-centred. While the early results are promising, the success of the national rollout will depend on consistent implementation, adequate resourcing, and continued collaboration between all professionals involved.
It will be interesting to observe how this develops over the next few years and whether the positive outcomes seen in pilot areas can be sustained on a national scale.
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Disclaimer
The contents of this blog or any other published by Talbots Law cannot be considered as legal advice. You should take no action without prior consultation with a qualified solicitor or legal professional. The contents of this blog refers to the process in England and Wales.
This blog was written by Grace McCartney in our Private Family team.