Our Court Children’s Service are a team of four registered Social Workers who are responsible for working with families who are in Court as they are in dispute after their separation.
Assessment
When families cannot reach agreements and make decisions about the care and contact arrangements for their own children, they may make an application to the Family Courts to have such decisions made and made Orders of the Court.
The Court may Direct the Trust Court Children’s Officer (CCO) to come involved to make an independent assessment on behalf of the Trust, of what is in the best interests of the child.
If the family are known to the Trust already, the CCO may be Directed by the Court to liaise with the Social Worker. The Trust CCO will work alongside the SW to provide the Court with the views of the Trust.
Decision Making
The Court may then use this assessment in the Court decision making.
The CCO will engage with the relevant parties in conflict resolution work and will attempt to reach a parenting agreement that has the best interests of the children at the core.
The CCO with present their assessment as a written Article 4 Welfare Report, a Wishes & Feelings Report or an oral report depending on the Direction of the Court.
If the family are known to the Trust already, the CCO may be Directed by the Court to liaise with the Social Worker. The Trust CCO will work alongside the SW to provide the Court with the views of the Trust.
We are a Trust wide Team and take Court Directions from Family Proceedings Courts (Magistrates Court), Family Care Centre (County Court) and the High Court in Belfast.
Contacts
Whitehill
106 Irish Street
Londonderry