NACCC CEO Elizabeth Coe recently attended the launch of the Family Solutions Group’s new report, Putting Children First – the Evolving Role of the Family Law Professional.
The report explores how the role of family law professionals is evolving and sets out recommendations to ensure children’s welfare and voices remain central when families experience separation.
The event took place on 12 March 2026 at the offices of Kingsley Napley in London and brought together professionals from across the family justice and family support sectors to discuss the report’s findings and recommendations, and the role professionals can play in supporting children and families during separation.
About the report
Written by Family Solutions Group (FSG) members Charlotte Bradley and Edward Cooke the report draws on a wide-ranging consultation conducted during 2025 with family lawyers, professionals working with separating families, and parents.
The report highlights ways in which practice across the family justice system could place children’s welfare and voices more consistently at the centre of decision-making.
Among its recommendations, the report calls for:
- Greater focus on child welfare and the voice of the child throughout family separation processes
- Enhanced training for professionals working with separating families
- Encouraging family law professionals to take a greater role in mitigating conflict between separating parents
- The creation of a Commissioner for Separated Families, to provide coordinated oversight across the family separation landscape
Putting Children First was published on 12 March 2026 and is available to read here.
Children’s Commissioner – letter to parents
The report also encourages family professionals to share a letter written by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, with parents who are separating. The letter highlights the importance of prioritising children’s wellbeing and reducing conflict during and after separation.
You can read the Children’s Commissioner’s letter here.
The Times – feature
The report and the Children’s Commissioner’s letter were also featured in a recent article in The Times newspaper. You can read the Times article here.
Launch event speakers
The launch event featured contributions from several key figures involved in family justice and family support. Speakers included:
- Charlotte Bradley, Senior Consultant at Kingsley Napley, FSG member and co-author of the report
- The Rt Hon Lord Justice Cobb, Court of Appeal judge and founder of the Family Solutions Group
- The Rt Hon Sir Simon Hughes, former MP and Justice Minister and Honorary Adviser to the FSG
- Edward Cooke, Managing Director of Edward Cooke Family Law, FSG member and co-author of the report
- Carlie Norris, owner of Circle Mediation and Chair of the Family Solutions Group
- Shakira Paulas, from the charity Restored Lives / Your Direction
During the evening, Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division and NACCC Patron, also joined the event online to share a short address.
NACCC’s involvement
As NACCC CEO and a member of the Family Solutions Group, Elizabeth Coe welcomed the opportunity to attend the launch and hear directly from the authors about the report’s in-depth findings and recommendations.
Elizabeth Coe, CEO of NACCC, said:
Children’s voices and wellbeing must remain central whenever families experience separation. It was encouraging to see so many professionals from across the family justice and support sectors come together for the launch of Putting Children First, and to reflect on how practice continues to evolve to better support children and families. The report provides valuable insights and encourages ongoing discussion about how professionals can work collaboratively to ensure children’s needs remain at the heart of family resolution processes.
More information about the Family Solutions Group ‘Putting Children First’ initiative can be found here.