PWLE Seminar: Child contact problems and the Family Court

This PWLE seminar is open to members of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership. Please see below our Partner organisations.

Men may face child contact challenges following family breakdown, often entering the family court system with limited support. After proceedings, fathers may experience difficulties maintaining contact and accessing services.

This training explores how human rights, particularly the right to family life, intersect with social work practice. It considers how stigma, unconscious bias, and gaps in service can affect outcomes, especially where issues like domestic abuse, housing instability, and health concerns are present.

Learning Outcomes:

Broadened understanding of family breakdown dynamics

Strategies to improve child access and contact

Enhanced awareness of men’s mental health needs

Insights into long-term health implications

Tools to help reduce suicide risk among fathers and men

Facilitator Bio: Robert Walker brings lived experience and professional insight to his advocacy work, having navigated significant personal challenges including the loss of his career, marriage, and housing due to mental health difficulties. He is qualified in Leadership and Empowerment in Mental Health and is known for his passionate and assertive approach to service user involvement. As a McKenzie Friend and CEO of Changes Plus Ltd, Robert supports individuals through complex family court processes, championing inclusive and informed practice.

Mathew Platt is a dedicated father to a 15-year-old with learning disabilities and has spent over a decade advocating for his parental rights. His journey has involved overcoming numerous legal and systemic hurdles to maintain a meaningful relationship with his son. Highly articulate and deeply committed to improving outcomes for families, Mathew also brings awareness to the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia in navigating formal systems.

Deadline to register: Monday 29th of September

Partner organisations:

Birmingham Children's Trust

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City University

Cheshire East Council

City of Stoke-on-Trent Council

City of Wolverhampton Council

Coventry City Council

Coventry University

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Keele University

Sandwell Children's Trust

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shropshire Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Staffordshire County Council

Staffordshire University

Telford & Wrekin Council

University of Birmingham

University of Warwick

University of Wolverhampton

University of Worcester

Walsall Council

Warwickshire County Council

Worcestershire County Council