Family Drug and Alcohol Court launches in Liverpool

Yesterday, Liverpool City Council officially launched the city’s Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC).

Liverpool now joins other areas of the country in implementing an FDAC, which is an alternative family court for care proceedings that takes a problem-solving approach to supporting parents who are dealing with substance misuse and also domestic violence.

The FDAC service, which is independent of the council, is supported by a team that has a wealth of experience in substance use, mental health, domestic abuse and child protection, ensuring holisitic assistance to families that are under specialist care.

FDAC’s implementation in Liverpool has been driven by His Honour Judge Steven Parker, the Designated Family Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside.

HHJ Parker spoke at the official launch event at Liverpool Town Hall which was also attended by:

• Cllr Liz Parsons, Cabinet member for Children’s Social Services
• Jenny Turnross, director of Children and Young People’s Services for Liverpool City Council
• Lord Frederick Ponsonby of Shulbrede, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
• Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division of the High Court
• Lord Justice Peter Jackson, Judicial Lead on FDAC
• Mrs Justice Gwynneth Knowles, Family Presiding Judge for the Northern Circuit.

FDACs were first introduced 18 years ago and national research has shown their effectiveness in keeping families together. Over half of children, 52 per cent, are reunited with a primary carers who are involved in FDAC proceedings compared to 12.5 per cent on non-FDAC cases.

In 2024, 1,030 families were part of proceedings in Liverpool’s family court with a quarter of them supported by Liverpool City Council.

Cllr Liz Parsons said: “That we have launched an approach that can address the underlying causes of families at risk and we are providing opportunities to support families to stay together fills me with hope. Hope that together we can change outcomes for children and families where substance misuse is a significant factor.

“Thank you to His Honour Judge Parker, for many years he’s had the idea to bring the FDAC to the city; his tenacity is to be applauded. And thank you to our director of children’s services Jenny Turnross for choosing Liverpool and joining us on this journey where we have a chance to do things differently. Collectively they are absolutely driving change and we need that to happen for families and children.”

His Honour Judge Steven Parker, the Designated Family Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “I love this city and its people and I want good things for it and the launch of Liverpool’s FDAC represents just that. It represents a major achievement for the family justice system in this city and the realisation of a personal ambition as the designated family judge.”

He added: “We can achieve great things with FDAC here in Liverpool. I have every confidence that the FDAC team will provide outstanding work for the city’s families.”

Rt. Hon Lord Peter Jackson, the national lead judge for FDAC, said: “I cannot say how pleased I am that FDAC has arrived in Liverpool. I pay tribute to Liverpool City Council’s Children and Young People’s Services, Public Health, and elected members and also the local judiciary, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the Centre for Justice Innovation. You have shown what can be achieved by visionary collaborative public sector leadership.”

He added: “I very much look forward to seeing Liverpool’s FDAC in action. I warmly congratulate you, I congratulate you all on making this exciting day possible.”