The Nuffield Foundation then identified a fund of up to £5 million for the incubation and piloting of the Family Justice Observatory, beginning with a 12-month development phase from March 2018. A development team led by The Centre for Child and Family Justice Research worked on the infrastructure and operating model for the Observatory.
By the end of the development phase the following was established:
Infrastructure
- The details of the delivery model for the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, with any delivery partners identified and key personnel in post
- A Governing Board, Stakeholder Advisory Council and Expert panel
- A Data Platform and Analytics Service
Operational Approach
- Development of a portfolio of Observatory resources and projects
- The approach, mechanisms and quality standards for synthesising evidence and developing guidelines
- The model for working with regional satellite areas
Work Plan
By the end of the development phase there will be a clear work plan for at least the first year of the Nuffield FJO pilot.
- This will include regular analysis of patterns and outcomes including regional variations
- A special interest project focusing on infants in the family justice system
- A framework for evaluating the impact of the Nuffield FJO pilot phase and plans for ensuring future sustainability
Throughout the development phase and into the launch of the pilot delivery phase, the development team and the Foundation will engage with stakeholders through regional partnerships and events and undertake a number of consultation activities. Stakeholders will be updated through regular communication, and resources will be made freely available as they are developed.
The Development Team was made up of:
- Professor Karen Broadhurst, Lancaster University
- Carey Oppenheim, Independent Consultant
- Claire Mason, Lancaster University
- Lisa Holmes, Rees Centre, University of Oxford
- Susannah Bowyer, Research in Practice
- Mary Ryan, Independent Consultant
- Chris Millan, Lancaster University
The development phase was being overseen by an Interim Steering Group:
- Noel Arnold, Director of Legal Practice, Coram Children’s Legal Centre
- Natalie Byrom, Director of Research & Learning, The Legal Education Foundation
- Her Honour Judge Lesley Newton, Designated Family Judge in Manchester
- Matthew Pinnell, Deputy Chief Executive, Cafcass Cymru
- Rob Street, Director of Justice, Nuffield Foundation
- Andrew Webb, former Director of People Services at Stockport, Family Justice Lead for the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, and member of Family Justice Board
- Teresa Williams, Director of Strategy, Cafcass England