Every child deserves safety. Every parent deserves to know their concerns will be heard. But right now, autistic and non-verbal children are being failed by the very systems designed to protect them.

 

In the UK, thousands of children are involved in family court and safeguarding processes every year. For autistic, non-verbal children—who cannot tell anyone if something happens to them—the risks are even greater.

 

We call on the UK Government to:

✅ Introduce mandatory autism and trauma training for all family court professionals (judges, CAFCASS officers, social workers).

✅ Reform Section 7 reporting to ensure the needs of disabled and non-verbal children are properly assessed.

✅ Implement national safeguarding guidelines for vulnerable children in family proceedings.

 

Children with autism and communication difficulties are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Without urgent action, they will continue to be silenced by a system that doesn’t understand them.

 

This petition is for them. It’s for every parent who has raised concerns and been ignored. It’s to prevent another avoidable tragedy

We urge the UK Government to act now. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Reform the system to safeguard autistic children who cannot speak for themselves.

 

🔹 Family courts rely on professionals without mandatory autism or trauma training.

🔹 Section 7 reports and safeguarding assessments often fail to consider how autism affects communication and behaviour.

🔹 Parents raising legitimate safeguarding concerns are told to “go back to court” while children remain exposed.

 

This is not about one case—it’s a systemic issue. We hear too often about tragedies where authorities only act after harm has occurred.