Over the last few years, families across the West Midlands and Warwickshire are experiencing significant updates in how the family courts and support services handle family separation. These changes aim to make processes less adversarial, faster, and more focused on the wellbeing of children and families.
Family Courts: Pathfinder Programme
A major recent change is the rollout of the family courts’ Pathfinder scheme in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. This is a reformed process for private children law that moves away from the old, conflict-heavy system. Instead, it prioritises:
- Listening to children’s voices: Early engagement with children is now central to the process.
- Reducing waiting times: Pathfinder aims to wrap up cases far quicker, often in as little as 12 weeks, compared to the previous 6–12 months.
- Minimising courtroom conflict: By gathering all information into a single Child Impact Report at the start, unnecessary hearings are reduced, encouraging more cooperative parenting.
- Better support for families: This includes special support for victims of domestic abuse and improving child safety.
Feedback from other regions where Pathfinder was piloted revealed that the average case duration fell from 29 weeks to just 18 weeks, and backlogs were halved. The West Midlands Family courts now handle new cases under this system, bringing hope for a less stressful experience for adults and children alike. The shorter court hearings are being well received in terms of speeding up the process for everyone.
Delays and Digital Changes
While the Pathfinder programme is intended to speed up cases, other factors are still causing delays:
- The closure of certain local divorce units has resulted in longer processing times for divorces and consent orders.
- Online divorce applications and processes for resolving financial matters have helped avoid some delays; most applications are now submitted online, making the process simpler and reducing the need for court visits.
- Despite these advancements, the courts remain busy. Early support, legal advice, and quicker access to alternative dispute resolution—like mediation—are essential for reducing the number of private court applications5.
Mediation and Co-Parenting Support
For many, mediation is now the first step before any court application will be considered. In the West Midlands and Warwickshire, families can access a wide range of locally based and online services:
- Family Mediation Birmingham and Warwick: These services help families agree on arrangements for children, finances, property, and even pet custody. Mediation is more affordable and less stressful than going to court, and online options are widely available for convenience, safety, and flexibility.
- The Contact Hub: Located in Tipton, this centre focuses on promoting healthy co-parenting relationships and offers supervised contact, handover services, and tailored family support.
- Parenting Apart Programme: Based in Walsall and offered across Dudley, this programme helps parents focus on their children’s needs and work together to develop a respectful co-parenting plan—often before or as part of court proceedings.
- Therapeutic and wellbeing services: Providers like the Family Mediation Clinic offer not just mediation, but also counselling and co-parenting coaching for adults, children, and extended family members.
West Midlands Family Courts updates
The overarching message from the recent changes is clear: the system is shifting towards less confrontation, swifter resolutions, and greater focus on the child’s voice and welfare. Courts, government, and independent services are encouraging parents to cooperate, try mediation first, and seek support early.
If you are experiencing family separation, you are not alone. Local services in the West Midlands and Warwickshire are committed to helping families find the best way forward—amicably and with the wellbeing of children at the heart of every decision.
For more information about mediation or local support, contact a local family mediation service, or contact the West Midlands Family Court to speak to an advisor.