Immediately pause the national rollout of Pathfinder and hold an independent Public Inquiry

We think the Family Courts and social services, Cafcass, CPS are failing to safeguard children, overlooking evidence and allowing harmful practices. We want a public inquiry into accountability, what we see as systemic failings and bias, and effects of current procedures on child and family welfare.

Pause the national rollout of Pathfinder/Child Focused Courts and launch an independent public inquiry into the family justice system, including CAFCASS, social services, judges, legal professionals, safeguarding failures, human rights breaches, and compliance with UK law.

The 2020 Report on Harm in Family Courts identified serious failings {in family courts}, including minimisation of domestic abuse, safeguarding failures, and children’s voices not being properly heard. Many families continue reporting mirroring concerns 6 years later. We believe expanding Pathfinder before these issues are investigated and addressed risks fast-tracking trauma for children and protective parents, increasing reliance on untested professional opinion, and undermining public confidence in the family justice system.