Amanda, one of our Social Work Assistants in Essex set up The Children’s Court Room Project with Judge Shanks who has been serving as a family Judge for the past 25 years, we believe that every young person coming into care or living in care and having life story work should know where decisions are made about them. For some young people Court is a scary place and is only talked about in meetings.
So, we wanted to change this and allow children to see a Court room and meet a Judge that makes these important decisions. Judge Shanks will talk through what happens, where everybody sits, who attends court and how they then make their final decisions.
In our Essex team 7 children have had this opportunity to visit the court room, with great feedback from them, saying ‘it was fun’ and ‘I loved sitting in the Judges chair’, ‘I know it’s a nice place and we are loved’ ‘I now know why it takes so long as it a very important decision’.
These visit makes a young person feel like they also have a voice and are being heard, it visually helps them understand what is happening and who is making decisions about their future.
We are also offering a virtual tour of the court room to all our foster carers so they can be aware of the process that happens in court, to allow them to offer support and be able to answer any questions that the young people may have.