The family court process in the UK often omits the most crucial voices—those of the children whose lives are most affected by its decisions. Children as young as 6-8 years old possess the understanding and competence to express their own wishes regarding their living and care arrangements, therefore should be able to do so as key witnesses to their own cases.

Yet, in too many cases, they are not directly heard by the judges who decide their futures, often relying instead on third-party interpretations and representations by professionals like Cafcass.

This disconnect silences the very individuals the system is designed to protect.

As someone who is deeply passionate about this matter, I have witnessed firsthand the frustration of many mothers and parents. These parents entrust the system with our children’s futures only to find out that our children's voices are overshadowed by a complex "cottage industry" that hardly reflects on our kids’ feelings and wishes, at times even their actual needs. 

Cafcass, a key player in these proceedings, is supposed to represent the child's best interests. However, their interpretations often stray far from the truth, leading to decisions that leave children entirely unheard and unacknowledged, also unprotected. 

The lack of direct communication between children and judges can result in outcomes that neither align with the children's genuine desires nor benefit their safety and wellbeing with no responsibility taken over such dire decisions made and ultimately kept in place until they turn adults with affected mental health (secondary to their adverse childhood experience = ACE) 

The implications are deeply personal and far-reaching. When children are not heard, they are at risk of being placed in environments that don't reflect their wishes and needs—decisions that are about their own lives but are made without their very own input.

It is crucial that children who are capable of expressing themselves be given the opportunity to speak directly to those making decisions for them, so that they are placed where they can thrive, be happy and also stay safe. 

Let's call upon the UK family court system to ensure that children of sufficient understanding and competence are given the right to speak and also be heard directly in court!

Judges must listen to children as key witnesses, and allow them to express their own feelings and wishes in their own words! 

We need to dismantle the barriers preventing children from participating in their own futures and should create a system that genuinely prioritises their interests, wellbeing and safety as that should be. 

We need new legislations built on listening to and respecting our children’s voices and choices.

Children have the right to express themselves freely, without fears and worries, or any interferences, directly to those judges ultimately making decisions for their futures then determining the quality of their lives. 

Sign this petition and share it with others to urge the family courts system to recognise and respect the voice of every child competent to speak up for themselves.

Let’s work towards a future where every child feels heard, valued and validated in court decisions that shape their lives.

This may also change some genuinely shocking statistics regarding children’s poor mental health and general well-being in the UK, by it ranking the first amongst all European Countries (as per The Good Childhood Report 2024) with the highest level of low life satisfaction among young people, when 25.2 per cent indicates dissatisfaction often resulting in mental ill health and at times tragic outcomes. 

We are all responsible for preventing these to happen! 

This may also impact on the genuinely heartbreaking child homicide statistics clearly having increased in the UK - as that was recently (in mid June) published by Women's Aid claiming “Nineteen More Child Homicides in the third report published by Women’s Aid in the past three decades as part of Women’s Aid Child First campaign”. 

We all must take share in stopping these insensible losses of innocent lives!  

All of these deeply horrific statistics could potentially be prevented by our Children being respected, listened to and heard in time!