Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on (1) families, (2) children’s best interests, (3) the length of family court proceedings, and (4) family court capacity, of delays in access to the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programmes recommended by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; and what steps are they taking to reduce delays in accessing such programmes.

Access to in person Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programmes (DAPPs) has been adversely affected during the pandemic due to the necessary face-to-face delivery model. We are aware that some providers are continuing to provide a full service, but that others have had to reduce their offer due to social distancing restrictions.

The Government is therefore working with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) and the judiciary to process cases as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to minimise the impact that the on-going restrictions to this service may have on families using the family courts, and vulnerable children in particular.