Open petition: Make a statutory oversight body to investigate failures in family justice system

Created by Robin Rouwenhorst
Closes on 5 April 2027

We want the Government to create an independent statutory oversight body for the family justice system, with powers to examine any failures across the judiciary, Cafcass, social care, complaints and appeals, and make recommendations to improve transparency, accountability and public confidence.

Families can struggle to find an independent route to challenge serious concerns about how their case has been handled. Accountability is divided between courts, Cafcass, children's social care, complaints bodies and appeal processes, creating gaps where concerns may fall between systems.

We want independent oversight to identify systemic failures, improve transparency and ensure that children and families can have confidence that serious concerns are properly examined and learned from.

Sign this petition