The Listening 2 Children team with guests from the Magistrates Courts and the Department of Justice
Family Matters raised over £400 for the Barnsley Hospice on 5th March, when professionals from the court service, Cafcass, and local solicitors and social workers attended a lecture entitled “The Voice of the Child in the Court”. The event was heavily oversubscribed and the waiting list was closed at thirty people.
An update of their Listening to Children Matters project was provided by Tracey and Alison, detailing the work which has been done to date. This includes having completed over forty cases and receiving 119 referrals. The new project worker Jane Knight was introduced, and said a few words about the importance of the project in helping parents to reach workable, safe arrangements.
Judge Stephen Rogers
Judge Stephen Rogers spoke about the recent changes to legislation, processes and procedures and gave a personal insight into his daily work to “help parents find solutions for their children”. He was supportive of the Separated Parents Information Program and video, and suggested parents access this at the start of the process rather than as a last resort. He also spoke of the importance of funding projects like Listening to Children Matters, saying that “it is an excellent project that does good work”. His view is that education about relationships and parenting should start in schools, so that children can learn the necessary skills to negotiate compromise and manage relationships better and therefore prevent the breakdowns in communication which occur when parents are young and inexperienced.
Family Matters wishes to thank all those who took the time out of a busy working day to attend the lecture, and the representatives from the Department of Work and Pensions and The Ministry of Justice who attended.
