CAFCASS guidelines on ‘parental alienation’

Cafcass have released new guidance designed to help welfare officers identify and assess cases which feature parental alienation. 

The guidance defines parental alienation as follows:

When a child’s resistance or hostility towards one parent is not justified and is the result of psychological manipulation by the other parent.

The guidance explains how Cafcass seeks to deal with parental alienation cases, which can be summarised as follows:

• The starting point is the identification of risk of harm.• Harm includes emotional harm to the child in the context of parental alienation.
• The welfare officer will assess whether it is safe and in the best interests of the child to have contact with one or both parents.
• In undertaking this assessment, the officer will need to take account of the risk factors, evidence based assessments, diversity issues, and the child’s resilience and vulnerabilities

If you are having difficulties spending reasonable time with your children, please contact us on 0121 702 1580 to speak to one of our expert solicitors for advice tailored to your circumstances.