Family Justice Council publishes ‘Guidance on responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour’

The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published guidance for Family judiciary, and those working in the Family Justice System, on responding to allegations of alienating behaviour.

The guidance, which is titled ‘Guidance on responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour‘, follows one of the largest consultations in the FJC’s history, with nearly 100 responses from individuals and stakeholders. We are grateful to all that provided responses.

In summary, the guidance:

• debunks myths that there is a diagnosable ‘syndrome’ of parental alienation and provides a helpful guide of important steps to follow where a child is reluctant, resistant, or refusing to see a parent.
• is a reminder that decisions of fact relating both to allegations of alienating behaviour or domestic abuse are a judicial function.
• tackles the difficult issue of allegations of alienating behaviour being made alongside allegations of domestic abuse, the impact on survivors and the importance of unpicking the complex interplay between these issues.
• centralises the voice of the child, putting children back at the heart of cases concerning them.