The role of the court in cases concerning parental substance misuse and children at risk of harm

This article explores the potential of a specialist family drug and alcohol court, a new court-based intervention to be piloted by government, for children at risk of care proceedings due to parental substance misuse. It examines the reasons for the initiative and considers its potential to improve outcomes for children. It concludes with a discussion of the key issues to be tested out through an independent evaluation of the pilot