New Family, Drugs & Alcohol Court pilot launched in Coventry

The Government has recently announced that it is to open more Courts specifically intended to help parents with drug or alcohol addiction avoid losing their children within care proceedings.

Coventry Family Court has been chosen as part of this expansion programme and started to receive cases from the start of this month.

Many families that are faced with care proceedings have at least one parent with a drink or drug problem.

The Coventry Family Drug & Alcohol Court will have its own team of experts and doctors. Parents facing these proceedings will come before Court every fortnight and will see the same judge every time so there is real understanding and support from those dealing with these difficult cases.

Often, where parents have drug or alcohol problems their children are placed temporarily with other family members or in foster care, while their parents concentrate on their detox, therapy and treatments – an intensive programme usually taking 26 weeks.

They undergo regular testing to make sure they are not secretly drinking or taking drugs and the regular on-going involvement of the Court is intended to monitor and support the parents during this process.

Evaluation of the programme in London has indicated that some parents receiving this intensive support have managed to kick their addictions and their children could be returned safely to them.

Catherine Stephens, Head of Care at Alsters Kelley LLP said, “The London Family, Drug & Alcohol Court has seen some very positive outcomes as a result of this therapeutic process and it is good news that the Coventry Family Court has also been chosen to pilot the scheme.  Our expert Care team here in Coventry is available to advise and assist anyone facing care proceedings. We are also able to offer legal aid to fund legal representation.”

For more information or to contact Catherine please call 02477 710227 or email catherine.stephens@alsterskelley.com