Nuffield Family Justice Observatory

We are proud to announce a new series. Seeding Change will shine a light on positive stories from across the family justice system to inspire new ideas and new ways of working. Keep an eye on our website and social media for new stories monthly. https://lnkd.in/eYWgjHVA

Find out more about these upcoming opportunities at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. And please share with anyone you know who may be interested in applying

Our Seeding Change series brings you monthly stories of positive lived experiences and innovative practice from across the family justice system. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eYWgjHVA

Last week, an important new review from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, conducted by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, was published. It paints a very concerning picture of how sexual abuse of children in family settings is identified, reported, and responded to across the social care system. But innovating new training is creating a 'ripple effect' of systematic change that is already having positive outcomes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_6hfXq7

"The current data system in family justice is fragmented, with no organisation having complete oversight of family justice system data. Administrative data is collected by a number of departments and agencies, each with their own objectives and priorities which makes data linking difficult." In this article for Children & Young People Now former NFJO researcher Aliya Saied-Tessier explains her paper which lays out the pressing need for better data across the family justice system to improve experiences and outcomes for people involved in family proceedings. Read more: https://lnkd.in/difXbSRX

💬 “We don't know very accurately how many children are experiencing domestic violence in the home, how many children are vulnerable to harm because they don't have families with adequate resources to meet their needs, and yet we are collating these billions of items of data.” The Children’s Information project, led by Professor Leon Feinstein at the Department of Education, University of Oxford aims to transform how local authorities collect and use information about children involved in their services. One of the most ambitious pieces of research that the Foundation has funded, this £2.8m initiative ensures that the voices and needs of young people are heard alongside traditional data. Read about the Children's Information project: https://lnkd.in/eXYyGbu9 The project team includes Dr Lisa Holmes and Professor Elaine Sharland at the University of Sussex, Dez Holmes at Research in Practice and other academics from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), The Manchester Metropolitan University and UCL. Local authority partners include Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Oldham Council, Rochdale Borough Council, North Yorkshire Council, and Hampshire County Council. The grant is managed by our Justice Director Robert Street.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Last week saw the launch of the Racial Justice Family Network, a collaborative network of individuals and organisations focused on promoting anti-racist initiatives and practices throughout the family justice system, to address systemic discrimination and inequality.  Find out more: https://rjfn.org.uk/

We have joined Bluesky as an additional way to share news about our research and events. Follow us to stay up to date: https://lnkd.in/eRzpKF2w

This week we were part of the launch of the Racial Justice Family Network (RJFN) - which brings together social work and legal professionals, judges, academics, and people with lived experience to promote anti-racist practice in family justice.   Originally incubated by Nuffield FJO, the RJFN is now going to be hosted by CoramBAAF. Its goal is to improve outcomes for Black, Global Majority and other ethnically minoritised children, families and professionals. Drawing on the latest research and evidence-informed practice, the RJFN aims to advance a comprehensive understanding of how racism is limiting the choices that are available to some children and families. It aims to equip the family justice system with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to build on opportunities for transformative change.   Membership is open to any organisation or individual directly involved with children and families within the family justice system in England and Wales.   Dr Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE FRSA Honoris Causa, Associate Director at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and one of the founders of RJFN, said: “It has been an honour to bring together this network. Many concerned individuals and organisations came together in the Black Lives Matter moment with an acute focus on the outcomes and disparities faced by many ethnically minoritised children, families and communities in the UK. In any struggle for equity and justice, it is people who make the difference – in what they say, in how they say it, and in what they are prepared to do to bring about the necessary change. The RJFN has demonstrated that continued commitment time and time again and I know the network will go from strength to strength under the guidance and support of CoramBAAF.” Visit rjfn.org.uk  #socialwork #legal #familyjustice #kinship #adoption #rjfn