The Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) exemplify a problem-solving court-based approach to improving outcomes for children involved in care proceedings. FDAC offers an alternative therapeutic method of supporting parents to overcome substance misuse, mental health and/or domestic abuse problems that put their children at risk of serious harm.

The FDAC process gives parents a voice and the reassurance that the court genuinely wants to help them to be reunited with their children. Parents attend the courts every fortnight and meet a judge and other specialists including social workers, psychiatrists, substance abuse counsellors and domestic violence experts who work together to encourage and support the parents to give up their addictive behaviour. Research has shown that the work of FDAC saves £23,000 per case having regard to the cost of supporting these parents and their children within the community.

Here at Family Law in Partnership we recognise the importance of supporting separating families and we remain proud in supporting FDAC through our financial contribution.

If you would like to learn more about the work of the Family Drug and Alcohol Courts, visit their website here.