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R e B ‐ S : a glass half full? An exploration of the implications of the R e B ‐ S judgment on practice in the family courts
Author(s) -
Gupta Anna,
LloydJones Edward
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
child and family social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-2206
pISSN - 1356-7500
DOI - 10.1111/cfs.12176
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , economic justice , government (linguistics) , business , political science , law , history , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology
The family courts in E ngland and W ales are being significantly reformed in line with the coalition government's aim to speed up the process and increase the numbers of children being adopted from care. In S eptember 2013, the C ourt of A ppeal handed down a judgment, R e B ‐ S ( C hildren) [2013] EWCA C iv 1146, that has wide‐ranging implications for professional practice and decision making in care proceedings. The judgment challenges the policy direction and provides guidance about what is required before courts can make orders separating children from their birth families, particularly in cases of non‐consensual adoption. In this paper, we outline the changes occurring in the family justice system, some key elements of R e B ‐ S , and examine the challenges for implementing practice consistent with the requirements of R e B ‐ S . It is argued that the standards set by R e B ‐ S are unlikely to be fully implemented without much further attention to the complexities posed by the policy and practice context of social work with children and their families involved in care proceedings.