The welfare of a child must be the court\u2019s paramount consideration when making decisions about a child\u2019s life. This is known as the welfare principle. Prior to the application of the presumption of parental involvement, the court is legally obliged to assess if a parent poses a risk of harm to the child - if their involvement would pose a risk to the child, the presumption does not apply.<\/p>
The Ministry of Justice has undertaken evidence gathering on the presumption of parental involvement, focused on its application in the family court. We will publish the evidence and proposed next steps in due course.<\/p>
As part of our commitment to ensuring the justice system is designed to put victims and survivors first, including those who have experienced domestic abuse, we are carefully considering the next steps for supporting victims and survivors across the justice system, including in the family court. We are working across departments to ensure that victims and survivors are supported and that children are kept safe.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4849", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Davies-Jones"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pontypridd"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alex Davies-Jones"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-05T09:04:30.447Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Family Courts: Custody"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the presumption of contact at the Family Court does not result in unsafe contact arrangements.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4573", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"} ], "uin" : "2967"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725660", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725660/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are committed to ensuring that parties to private law children cases in the family courts are protected from harm and that the welfare of the child is always the court\u2019s paramount consideration when making decisions about children\u2019s lives.<\/p>
HMP Wandsworth Fire Incidents <\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Calendar Year <\/strong><\/p><\/td> Fires <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/p><\/td> 53<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/p><\/td> 66<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/p><\/td> 105<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/p><\/td> 36<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/p><\/td> 45<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/p><\/td> 47<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/p><\/td> 52<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2022<\/p><\/td> 103<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2023<\/p><\/td> 78<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The overwhelming majority of the cell fires were considered \u2018minor\u2019 and quickly dealt with by staff, and medical assessment is provided for anyone who may have been exposed to smoke or heat. Since 2015, in most years 100% of the fires were considered as minor, and in all years over 95% were considered as minor. Where it is found that a fire is the result of arson, or of recklessness, the prisoner responsible will face robust punitive action, which can include further criminal charges.<\/p> All operational staff receive Respiratory Protective Equipment training. Prison officers receive it as part of their Prison Officer Entry Level Training.<\/p> To promote staff awareness and proficiency, the Governor of HMP Wandsworth has arranged for an additional refresher training session to be delivered each week.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "21185"}
, {"_value" : "21186"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-17T16:39:40.113Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wandsworth Prison: Fires"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents of cell fires there have been in HMP Wandsworth in each year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4573", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
], "uin" : "21184"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700253", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700253/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The number of fire incidents at HMP Wandsworth in each year since 2015 are shown in the table below. Information on fire incidents before 2015 is not available, because the records have been destroyed in line with our retention policy.<\/p> <\/p> HMP Wandsworth Fire Incidents <\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Calendar Year <\/strong><\/p><\/td> Fires <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/p><\/td> 53<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/p><\/td> 66<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/p><\/td> 105<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/p><\/td> 36<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/p><\/td> 45<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/p><\/td> 47<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/p><\/td> 52<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2022<\/p><\/td> 103<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2023<\/p><\/td> 78<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The overwhelming majority of the cell fires were considered \u2018minor\u2019 and quickly dealt with by staff, and medical assessment is provided for anyone who may have been exposed to smoke or heat. Since 2015, in most years 100% of the fires were considered as minor, and in all years over 95% were considered as minor. Where it is found that a fire is the result of arson, or of recklessness, the prisoner responsible will face robust punitive action, which can include further criminal charges.<\/p> All operational staff receive Respiratory Protective Equipment training. Prison officers receive it as part of their Prison Officer Entry Level Training.<\/p> To promote staff awareness and proficiency, the Governor of HMP Wandsworth has arranged for an additional refresher training session to be delivered each week.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "21184"}
, {"_value" : "21186"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-17T16:39:40.16Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wandsworth Prison: Protective Clothing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what percentage of prison officers have received respiratory protective equipment training at HMP Wandsworth.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4573", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
], "uin" : "21185"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700254", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700254/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The number of fire incidents at HMP Wandsworth in each year since 2015 are shown in the table below. Information on fire incidents before 2015 is not available, because the records have been destroyed in line with our retention policy.<\/p> <\/p> HMP Wandsworth Fire Incidents <\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Calendar Year <\/strong><\/p><\/td> Fires <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/p><\/td> 53<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/p><\/td> 66<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/p><\/td> 105<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/p><\/td> 36<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/p><\/td> 45<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/p><\/td> 47<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/p><\/td> 52<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2022<\/p><\/td> 103<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2023<\/p><\/td> 78<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The overwhelming majority of the cell fires were considered \u2018minor\u2019 and quickly dealt with by staff, and medical assessment is provided for anyone who may have been exposed to smoke or heat. Since 2015, in most years 100% of the fires were considered as minor, and in all years over 95% were considered as minor. Where it is found that a fire is the result of arson, or of recklessness, the prisoner responsible will face robust punitive action, which can include further criminal charges.<\/p> All operational staff receive Respiratory Protective Equipment training. Prison officers receive it as part of their Prison Officer Entry Level Training.<\/p> To promote staff awareness and proficiency, the Governor of HMP Wandsworth has arranged for an additional refresher training session to be delivered each week.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "21184"}
, {"_value" : "21185"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-17T16:39:40.193Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wandsworth Prison: Protective Clothing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to increase the percentage of prison officers at HMP Wandsworth trained in the use of respiratory protective equipment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4573", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
], "uin" : "21186"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1695498", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1695498/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Prison Group Director for London is taking active measures to support the health and well-being of staff and prisoners at HMP Wandsworth. He conducts regular visits to assess and monitor conditions at the prison. Accompanied by lead representatives for Health, Safety and Wellbeing at His Majesty\u2019s Prison & Probation Service, he meets regularly with the Governor to discuss any actions that need to be taken to address identified concerns.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, monthly tripartite meetings are held between Regional Estates, Finance and Health and Safety representatives, where decency is a standing agenda item. A Senior Safety Lead has recently been appointed to support local initiatives and work to improve safety outcomes for prisoners. A Task and Finish Group has recently been set up to address concerns about the physical environment of the in-patient unit at HMP Wandsworth, to improve infection prevention and control.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "18222"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-18T12:44:01.837Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wandsworth Prison"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of conditions in Wandsworth prison on the health of (a) prisoners and (b) staff.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4573", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
], "uin" : "18221"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1695499", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1695499/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Prison Group Director for London is taking active measures to support the health and well-being of staff and prisoners at HMP Wandsworth. He conducts regular visits to assess and monitor conditions at the prison. Accompanied by lead representatives for Health, Safety and Wellbeing at His Majesty\u2019s Prison & Probation Service, he meets regularly with the Governor to discuss any actions that need to be taken to address identified concerns.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, monthly tripartite meetings are held between Regional Estates, Finance and Health and Safety representatives, where decency is a standing agenda item. A Senior Safety Lead has recently been appointed to support local initiatives and work to improve safety outcomes for prisoners. A Task and Finish Group has recently been set up to address concerns about the physical environment of the in-patient unit at HMP Wandsworth, to improve infection prevention and control.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "18221"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-18T12:44:01.88Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wandsworth Prison: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to monitor the effects of conditions in HMP Wandsworth on the health and well-being of prisoners and staff.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4573", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tooting"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rosena Allin-Khan"}
], "uin" : "18222"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1695501", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1695501/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " |