Cuts force domestic violence refuges to turn victims away

Charities say funding cuts mean it is increasingly difficult to find beds for vulnerable women.

Full story: The Guardian

Child protection services face unannounced inspections

Inspections of child protection services in England are to be unannounced, more intensive and child-focused, the inspecting body, Ofsted has announced.

Full story: BBC News

Child Support Agency charge backed

Iain Duncan Smith has defended proposals to charge single parents for using the Child Support Agency, stating "we're not asking for much".

Full story: The Press Association

Fostering services in need of radical reform, says Policy Exchange

Fostering services in England and Wales are in need of radical reform, according to a report published by Policy Exchange, the independent educational charity.

Full report: Family Law Week

Vitamin D deficiency linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The BBC Radio 4 programme Today has reported that two senior paediatric pathologists claim to have discovered Vitamin D deficiency in a significant number of children who have died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Full story: Family Law Week

Birmingham recruits Lincolnshire children's services chief

Birmingham's embattled children's services department has appointed a director from an Ofsted-rated outstanding authority to turn around its fortunes.

Full story: Children & Young People Now

Welsh Govt consults on practitioner guidance for new Child Practice Review framework

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on draft practitioner guidance for its new Child Practice Review (CPR) framework.

Full story: Local Government Lawyer

Welfare bill suffers Lords defeat over child support

The coalition has suffered its biggest defeat in the Lords since being elected over plans to charge single parents to use the Child Support Agency.

Full story: BBC News

Latest CSA performance statistics released

In the last quarter ending December 2011, 78.0% of all cases in which maintenance was due had either received maintenance via the CSA collection service, or had a maintenance direct arrangement in place.

Full story: Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission

Putting children first – £20 million to help separating families

An extra £20 million will be made available to support separated and separating families as part of the radical overhaul of the Child Maintenance system, Ministers announced today.

Full story: Department for Work and Pensions

Tory peer threatens to lead revolt over Child Support Agency charging fees

Lord Mackay, who served as lord chancellor under Thatcher and Major, opposes the agency charging single parents 12%.

Full story: The Guardian

LSC agrees to extra family tender round

The LSC has agreed to an additional tender round for the final family contracts to be awarded before the legal aid cuts take effect.

Full story: Solicitors Journal

Ex-husband to pay £6 million legal bill in acrimonious divorce

A business tycoon is facing up to £6m in lawyers' bills after an epic million court struggle during which he was ordered to pay a total of £15 million to his ex-wife.

Full story: The Telegraph

New online tool in transparency drive

The Ministry of Justice has published a new online tool that lets people see the length of time cases take in courts across England and Wales. Visitors to the Open Justice website can now view detailed court-by-court data relating to criminal, civil and family court proceedings.

Full story: Ministry of Justice

Foster system held back by council fear of criticism

A culture of fear has led some councils to protect themselves more than the children in their care, according to the government's child protection adviser.

Full story: BBC News

Ken Clarke: 'use mediation over courts'

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has urged separating couples to consider mediation when they separate or divorce, instead of turning to the courts.

Full story: Ministry of Justice

Department for Education confirms new Chair of Cafcass

Education Secretary Michael Gove has appointed Baroness Tyler as the new Chair of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).

Full story: Department for Education

Unaccompanied children arriving in UK continue to be detained in contravention of UNCRC standards

Children’s prospects of gaining permission to remain are prejudiced by premature interviewing, says the Children's Commissioner.

Full story: Family Law Week

Social workers feel powerless to protect neglected children

Report warns of unduly high thresholds and inadequate resources to support needy families.

Full story: The Independent

Council pays £1m damages to four siblings for child abuse failings

Essex County Council has paid damages of almost £1m to four siblings who suffered years of parental abuse, Community Care has reported.

Full story: Family Law Week

Guidelines for the instruction of medical experts from overseas in family cases

These guidelines provide instruction of medical experts from overseas in family cases and have been produced by the Experts Committee of the Family Justice Council.

Practice Guidance: Family Law

NYAS appeal to Justice Secretary to overturn LSC decision

The National Youth Advocacy Service is challenging a decision by the Legal Services Commission that would result in them being unable to continue providing representation for children in family courts from 1 February 2012.

Full story: Family Law