Child-focused Courts 2026 (england & Wales): What Parents Need to Know About CAFCASS, PD27A and Child-arrangement Hearings

Last updated: 30 April 2026

The national rollout of child focused courts in England in 2026 marks the most significant structural change to private children proceedings in a generation. On 17 March 2026 the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the Child-Focused Courts model, tested since 2022 in a series of Pathfinder pilots, would be expanded across every family court in England and Wales. Alongside this, Practice Direction 27A (PD27A), which amends the Family Procedure Rules, came into force on 2 March 2026, introducing new procedural requirements for child-arrangements cases. CAFCASS has simultaneously launched an updated private-law model that changes how officers assess families and engage with children.

Together, these reforms alter the timetable, process and expectations for every parent involved in a contested child-arrangements dispute, and every solicitor advising them.

Quick Overview, What Changed in 2026 and Why It Matters

Three interconnected family court changes in 2026 took effect within weeks of each other. Understanding how they fit together is essential for anyone involved in a private children case.

• Child-Focused Courts go national. The MoJ announced the nationwide expansion of the Child-Focused Courts model on 17 March 2026, replacing the previous Pathfinder pilot programme. Every family court in England and Wales is now expected to adopt the child-focused approach to private-law children proceedings.
• PD27A Family Procedure Rules amendments in force. Since 2 March 2026, new procedural rules govern the management of private children cases, including revised directions timetables, enhanced safeguarding steps and clearer case-management expectations at first hearing.
• CAFCASS private-law model operational. CAFCASS has rolled out an updated operating model that changes how Family Court Advisers carry out initial safeguarding, how they engage directly with children, and the timing of their reports to the court.

What this means for parents:

• Hearings are designed to be faster, with stronger judicial case management from the first appointment.
• CAFCASS involvement will be earlier and more child-centred, your child’s wishes and feelings will be explored sooner in the process.
• You will be expected to engage with dispute resolution options, and the court will actively triage cases for safety concerns at the outset.

What this means for solicitors:

• Familiarise yourself immediately with PD27A directions and the amended first-hearing protocol.
• Update client-facing materials to reflect the child-focused court process and new CAFCASS timelines.
• Ensure your safeguarding and domestic-abuse screening procedures align with the enhanced triage requirements.

What Are Child-Focused Courts in England 2026?

Child-Focused Courts are a redesigned approach to handling private-law children cases, the disputes between separated parents about where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, and other aspects of parental contact. The model places the child’s welfare, voice and safety at the centre of every procedural step, from the initial application through to the final order. According to the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, judges in Child-Focused Courts follow specialist workflows designed to reduce delay, identify risk early, and tailor the court’s response to each family’s circumstances.

The core principles include dedicated judicial continuity (the same judge handling the case throughout), early and robust safeguarding checks, structured engagement with CAFCASS, and active encouragement of non-court dispute resolution wherever it is safe to do so. Cases involving domestic abuse or child-protection concerns are identified and managed through a distinct safety pathway from the very first hearing.

Pathfinder to Child-Focused Courts: A Short History

The Child-Focused Courts model evolved from the Private Law Pathfinder pilot, which began in 2022 in a limited number of court areas. The pilot tested whether a more interventionist, child-centred approach to private children proceedings could reduce delay, improve outcomes for children, and better protect victims of domestic abuse. Evaluations found that the pilot areas achieved earlier resolution of disputes and improved engagement from both parents and CAFCASS officers. The success of those pilots led directly to the MoJ decision in March 2026 to roll the model out nationally.

Which Courts Are Covered and the National Rollout Timeline

The MoJ’s announcement on 17 March 2026 confirmed that the Child-Focused Courts model is being expanded to all family courts across England and Wales. This means every designated family court, from major hearing centres to smaller satellite courts, is expected to adopt the child-focused approach for new private-law children applications.

If you are unsure whether your local court has fully implemented the new model, you can check the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website or contact your local family court listing office directly. Early indications suggest that larger courts in metropolitan areas were among the first to transition operationally, while smaller courts may take slightly longer to complete staff training and workflow adjustments.

For parents: If you are making a new C100 application, your case will be handled under the child-focused court process regardless of your location. Speak to a family solicitor if you are unsure how the changes affect an existing case.

The CAFCASS Private-Law Model, What Will Change in Practice

CAFCASS (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) plays a central role in every contested child-arrangements case. Under the new private-law model launched alongside the child focused courts in England in 2026, the way CAFCASS officers work with families is changing in several important respects.

Historically, CAFCASS involvement in a private-law case typically began with a safeguarding letter, a short document based on checks with police and local authority records, filed before the first hearing. The court would then decide at the first hearing whether to order a full Section 7 welfare report, which could take many weeks to complete. Under the updated CAFCASS private-law model, the emphasis shifts towards earlier, more meaningful engagement with families and, crucially, with the child.

Key changes to expect:

• Enhanced initial safeguarding. CAFCASS officers will carry out more thorough initial checks and may speak to both parents before the first hearing to understand the family’s situation and identify any safety concerns.
• Earlier direct work with children. Where appropriate and safe, CAFCASS officers will engage with the child at an earlier stage to understand their wishes, feelings and lived experience, rather than waiting for a full Section 7 report to be ordered.
• Streamlined reporting. The updated model aims to reduce the need for lengthy stand-alone welfare reports in straightforward cases. Instead, CAFCASS will provide focused, issue-specific analysis to help the court make decisions more efficiently.
• Stronger safety focus. Cases involving allegations of domestic abuse, coercive control or risks to the child’s welfare will be triaged into a dedicated safety pathway, ensuring that protective measures are considered from the outset.

How CAFCASS Assessments Will Work

In practical terms, parents should expect to hear from their allocated CAFCASS Family Court Adviser (FCA) earlier in the proceedings than they might have experienced under the old model. The FCA may contact you by telephone or invite you to a meeting before the first hearing. You will be asked about your child’s daily routine, your relationship with the other parent, any safety concerns, and what outcome you believe is best for your child.

If your child is of sufficient age and understanding, the FCA may arrange to speak with them directly, either in person, by video, or by telephone. The purpose is to understand your child’s perspective in their own words, not to put the child in the middle of the dispute. The FCA’s observations and analysis will then inform the court at the first hearing, giving the judge a much clearer picture from the start.

What parents can expect: Be prepared to engage with CAFCASS early, be honest and child-focused in your communications, and understand that the FCA’s role is to advise the court, not to take sides.

Where to Raise Concerns About Safety or Domestic Abuse

If you have concerns about domestic abuse, coercive control, or risks to your child’s safety, raise these immediately, both with CAFCASS and, if you have one, with your solicitor. Under the new model, CAFCASS has reinforced its commitment to identifying and responding to domestic abuse at the earliest possible stage. You can raise concerns directly with your allocated FCA, or contact CAFCASS’s main enquiry line. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For specialist support, organisations such as Refuge offer confidential advice and can help you understand your options.

PD27A Family Procedure Rules, Forms, Timelines and Immediate Effects

Practice Direction 27A (PD27A) is the procedural backbone of the child-focused court process. It came into force on 2 March 2026, amending the Family Procedure Rules to align court management of private children cases with the principles of the Child-Focused Courts model. For parents and practitioners alike, PD27A introduces changes that affect how a case is managed from the moment an application is issued.

The core objectives of PD27A are to:

• Ensure robust safeguarding and risk identification at the earliest stage of proceedings.
• Strengthen judicial case management so that cases progress without unnecessary delay.
• Integrate CAFCASS involvement more effectively into the court’s directions timetable.
• Encourage dispute resolution at every stage, while ensuring that safety is never compromised.

In practice, PD27A means that judges at the first hearing (the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment, or FHDRA) will take a more interventionist approach. They will review CAFCASS’s safeguarding information, assess whether the case is suitable for dispute resolution or needs to proceed on a safety pathway, and set a tighter timetable for any further hearings or reports.

Key Procedural Steps in a Private Children Case Under PD27A

The following simplified timeline shows how a typical private-law child-arrangements case progresses under PD27A and the child-focused court process:

1. Application issued (Day 1). Parent submits a C100 application to the family court, together with a valid Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) certificate or exemption evidence.
2. CAFCASS safeguarding (Days 1–14). CAFCASS receives the application and begins safeguarding checks. Under the new model, initial contact with both parents may occur within this window.
3. First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (approximately Week 4–6). The FHDRA takes place with the allocated judge. CAFCASS safeguarding information is available. The judge identifies whether the case can be resolved by agreement, needs a safety pathway, or requires further assessment.
4. Dispute resolution or further directions (Weeks 6–12). Cases suitable for resolution are directed towards mediation, collaborative discussions, or consent-order drafting. Cases requiring further investigation receive focused CAFCASS analysis or a Section 7 report on a tighter timetable.
5. Final hearing (if required, typically within 20–26 weeks). The judge makes a final child-arrangements order based on all available evidence, welfare analysis, and the child’s ascertainable wishes and feelings.

How a Child-Arrangements Hearing Works in a Child-Focused Court, Practical Walkthrough

If you are a parent about to attend a hearing in a child-focused court, understanding the child-focused court process step by step can help reduce anxiety and ensure you are properly prepared. Here is what to expect before, during and after a typical hearing.

Before the Hearing

Before your hearing date, you should have received correspondence from CAFCASS and, if legally represented, directions from your solicitor about what documents to prepare. Under the child-focused court process, the court expects both parents to have considered dispute resolution options before the first hearing. Your solicitor (if you have one) should file a position statement summarising your proposals for the child arrangements 2026 and any welfare or safety concerns.

CAFCASS will have filed its safeguarding information with the court, and you should ask your solicitor for a copy. If you are a litigant in person (representing yourself), you can request this from the court office. Review the safeguarding letter carefully, it forms the basis of the judge’s initial understanding of your case.

At the Hearing

At the FHDRA in a Child-Focused Court, the judge takes an active, structured role. The hearing typically follows this sequence:

1. Safeguarding review. The judge reviews the CAFCASS safeguarding information and asks whether either parent has additional safety concerns to raise.
2. Case triage. The judge determines whether the case falls into a safety pathway (where domestic abuse or welfare risks are identified) or a dispute-resolution pathway (where the dispute is primarily about arrangements rather than safety).
3. Dispute resolution exploration. If appropriate, the judge and CAFCASS officer explore whether the parents can reach agreement. This may involve separate discussions facilitated by CAFCASS at court.
4. Directions. If the case cannot be resolved at the FHDRA, the judge gives focused directions, for example, ordering a specific piece of CAFCASS analysis, listing a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA), or setting the case down for a final hearing with a clear timetable.

After the Hearing

After the FHDRA, you will receive a written order setting out what was decided and what steps must be taken next. If a consent order was reached, it will record the agreed child arrangements. If the case continues, the order will specify the timetable for further evidence, CAFCASS involvement and any future hearings. Comply with every direction promptly, the child-focused model places a premium on progress, and failure to meet deadlines may result in the court drawing adverse inferences or making orders in your absence.

Sample Timeline for an Average Private-Law Case

• Week 0: C100 application issued.
• Weeks 1–2: CAFCASS safeguarding checks and initial parent contact.
• Weeks 4–6: First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA).
• Weeks 6–12: Dispute resolution activity, or CAFCASS focused analysis if directed.
• Weeks 12–16: Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) if case not resolved.
• Weeks 20–26: Final hearing (if required) and child-arrangements order made.

Industry observers expect that straightforward cases, where both parents engage constructively and there are no safety concerns, may resolve well within the 20-week target, particularly at the FHDRA or DRA stage. Complex cases involving allegations of abuse, parental alienation, or intractable disputes will inevitably take longer, but the structured timetable should still reduce overall delay compared to the pre-2026 position.

Parent Checklist, Documents, Evidence and Behaviour to Prepare

Proper preparation is one of the most important things you can do when attending a child-arrangements hearing. The following child arrangements hearing checklist covers what you need to gather, what to think about, and how to present yourself.

Child Arrangements Hearing Checklist (Printable)

Documents to bring:

• C100 application form, your completed application for a child-arrangements order, plus any response form (C7) if you are the respondent.
• MIAM certificate or exemption evidence, proof that you attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, or documentation of a valid exemption (for example, evidence of domestic abuse).
• CAFCASS safeguarding letter, obtain a copy from your solicitor or the court office and read it before the hearing.
• Position statement, a concise document (usually no more than two pages) setting out your proposals for the child’s living arrangements and contact, and any welfare concerns.
• Supporting evidence, school reports, medical records, communication logs with the other parent, and any relevant photographs or screenshots (ensure these are properly paginated and indexed).
• Witness statements, if directed by the court or if you wish to file one, prepare a signed and dated statement dealing with the relevant issues.
• Financial information, in some cases the court may need to understand each parent’s housing and financial situation; bring evidence of your accommodation and income if relevant.
• Safety evidence, if you have concerns about domestic abuse, provide police reports, non-molestation orders, GP records, refuge referrals, or any other documentary evidence.
• Contact log, a factual record of recent contact between the child and each parent, including dates, times and any incidents.

Preparation and behaviour:

• Focus on your child. Everything you say and write should centre on your child’s needs, welfare and best interests, not on criticising the other parent.
• Be honest with CAFCASS. When CAFCASS contacts you, provide accurate information. Inconsistencies between what you tell CAFCASS and what you tell the court will damage your credibility.
• Arrive early. Give yourself time to find the court, go through security, and speak to your solicitor or CAFCASS officer before the hearing begins.
• Dress appropriately and remain calm. Address the judge respectfully and avoid interrupting the other parent or their solicitor.
• Consider mediation. If you have not already done so, think seriously about whether mediation or another form of dispute resolution could help you reach agreement without a contested hearing.
• Take notes. Write down the directions the judge gives at the hearing so you know exactly what you need to do and by when.

This checklist is intended as a general guide. Your solicitor can provide advice tailored to the specific circumstances of your case.

Mediation, Safety and Domestic Abuse Considerations

Mediation and alternative dispute resolution remain central to the child-focused court process. Under the reformed system, the expectation that parents will engage with mediation is reinforced, but so are the safeguards for situations where mediation is not appropriate or safe.

When mediation is required or encouraged: Before issuing a C100 application, most applicants must attend a MIAM. This requirement has not changed under the 2026 reforms. At the FHDRA, the judge will actively explore whether the parents can be directed to mediation or another dispute-resolution process. The Family Mediation Council has welcomed the Child-Focused Courts rollout, emphasising that early and effective mediation can resolve parental contact changes without the need for a contested hearing.

When mediation is not appropriate: Mediation is not suitable in every case. If there are allegations or evidence of domestic abuse, coercive control, or serious welfare concerns, the court will not direct mediation unless it is satisfied that appropriate safeguards are in place and both parties can participate freely and safely. There are specific exemptions from the MIAM requirement for victims of domestic abuse, and these exemptions continue to apply under PD27A.

If you are worried about domestic abuse or your child’s safety: Refuge has responded to the expansion of Child-Focused Courts by highlighting the importance of robust safety screening throughout the process. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, tell your solicitor, tell CAFCASS, and tell the court. You can also contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) on 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

What Solicitors and Local Practitioners Should Do Now

The family court changes 2026 require immediate action from every family law practice handling private children work. The following steps are recommended:

• Review PD27A in full. Ensure all fee earners handling children cases have read and understood the amended Practice Direction and can advise clients on the new procedural requirements.
• Update precedent documents. Revise position statement templates, client advice letters, and first-hearing preparation guides to reflect the child-focused court process.
• Brief clients early. New and existing clients should be informed about the Child-Focused Courts model, the enhanced role of CAFCASS, and the emphasis on dispute resolution. Manage expectations about timelines.
• Strengthen CAFCASS liaison. Build working relationships with local CAFCASS teams. Understand how the private-law model operates in your court area and adjust your case-preparation workflow accordingly.
• Screen for safety. Review your domestic-abuse screening protocols to ensure they are robust enough to meet the enhanced safeguarding expectations of the new model.
• Attend training. Resolution, the Family Law Bar Association, and local law societies are offering training on the Child-Focused Courts model and PD27A. Ensure all relevant staff are up to date.
• Monitor local implementation. Contact your local court listing office to understand the phasing and any local practice directions or guidance that supplement the national rollout.

Timeline of Key Dates and Comparison Table

The following table summarises the key legislative and rollout dates that practitioners and parents need to be aware of in relation to child focused courts in England in 2026.

Getting Legal Advice and Next Steps

The child focused courts in England 2026 reforms represent a fundamental change in how children cases are handled. Whether you are a parent navigating a separation or a practitioner advising clients, understanding PD27A, the CAFCASS private-law model and the child-focused court process is essential to achieving the best outcome for the child.

If you need advice on a child-arrangements dispute, contact an accredited family solicitor, ideally one who is a member of Resolution and experienced in children proceedings under the new model. You can find a UK family solicitor through Global Law Experts to connect with a specialist who can guide you through the process.

If you are at immediate risk:

• Emergency: Call 999.
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
• CAFCASS enquiries: Contact via the CAFCASS website for information about your case.

Sources

1. GOV.UK, Ministry of Justice: “Children to get swifter justice as new family court approach expands nationally”
2. Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, “Judges welcome roll-out of Child Focused Courts”
3. Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, “A view from the President of the Family Division’s chambers, April 2026”
4. CAFCASS, “CAFCASS welcomes Child Focused Courts”
5. Hansard, Parliamentary debate: Family Courts: Child Focused Model (17 March 2026