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<p>The Government's Children's Social Care Innovation Programme has enabled approaches
like the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) to be tried and tested in order to develop
and spread new and more effective ways of supporting vulnerable children.</p><p>We
recognise the positive results the FDAC achieves as evidenced in the latest research
report published by Lancaster University[1]. This research published in September
– and funded by the Department for Education Innovation Unit - found that mothers
reunited with their children after care proceedings in the FDAC are more likely to
stay off drugs and alcohol for longer and their family life less likely to be disrupted
when compared with cases heard in ordinary care proceedings. A linked study, also
published in September, indicated that the FDAC model is being successfully implemented
in different courts around the country, and the local Judges were unanimous in their
support for the FDAC approach. The department has not carried out any cost benefit
analysis, but earlier this year, evidence from the Centre for Justice Innovation revealed
that FDAC saves the taxpayer £2.30 for every £1 spent.</p><p>I met with Judge Nick
Crighton and members of the FDAC National Unit on 19 October to discuss the latest
research reports and progress on implementing the FDAC project.</p><p>No decision
has been taken on future Government funding for the FDAC project.</p><p>[1] <a href="http://fdac.org.uk/better-outcomes-children-parents/"
target="_blank">http://fdac.org.uk/better-outcomes-children-parents/</a></p>
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