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<p>We are committed to improving the family court experience for survivors of domestic
abuse and their children. On 21 February 2022, we launched the Integrated Domestic
Abuse Court pilot in courts in Dorset and North Wales. The pilot is testing a new
approach to dealing with certain private law proceedings. It moves away from the adversarial
model and towards a more investigative, problem-solving approach based on the features
and risk profile of a case. The pilot courts will be able to offer out of court issue
resolution for cases with no safeguarding concerns by incorporating referral or signposting
to local or digital resources.</p><p> </p><p>Family Drug and Alcohol Courts are another
new type of family court. These courts provide a problem-solving approach to care
proceedings, specialising in alcohol and substance misuse. In this approach, a team
of substance misuse specialists, domestic violence experts, psychiatrists and social
workers carry out an early assessment and agree an intervention plan with parents
who come before the court in care proceedings. The Family Drug and Alcohol Courts
model is delivered by the Centre for Justice and Innovation, and the Department for
Education is the lead government department with responsibility in this area.</p>
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