Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to prevent the international removal of a child from the UK where a family court has made an order (a) restricting and (b) prohibiting the child's removal from the jurisdiction.

The Home Office's published returns guidance (Returns preparation: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK) requires checks to be undertaken in cases involving children and specifically addresses family court proceedings. Where family court proceedings are known or identified, caseworkers are required to seek clarification from CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), or the equivalent devolved body where appropriate.

The Family Returns Process also operates within the statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Any known family court proceedings or orders are considered as part of the safeguarding and welfare assessment undertaken before removal action proceeds.