children Archives - Psychology Experts

Child Focused Courts Roll Out Nationally

By Psychology Experts | May 10, 2026

The government confirmed on 17 March 2026 that Child Focused Courts — formerly known as Pathfinder Courts — will be expanded across the entirety of England and Wales, following a trial period that saw family court backlogs halve and cases resolved up to seven and a half months faster. Read more

Mother Vindicated After Top Judge Overturns Unregulated Expert’s Evidence

By Psychology Experts | February 13, 2026

A mother whose children were taken away by the family courts has been vindicated after a six-year struggle to overturn flawed evidence given by Melanie Gill, an unregulated psychologist. Read more

Government Rejects Calls for Full Review of Melanie Gill’s Family Court Cases

By Psychology Experts | January 28, 2026

The government and judiciary rejected calls for a full review of family court cases involving unregulated psychologist Melanie Gill, whose evidence has been linked to children being removed from their mothers. Read more

Why Are Unregulated Psychologists Still Acting as Expert Witnesses in Family Courts?

By Psychology Experts | January 5, 2026

Anyone can call themselves a “psychologist” in England and Wales — the title is not legally protected. This explainer, written with a consultant clinical psychologist, sets out why that creates serious risks in the family courts: unregulated individuals can be appointed by judges to carry out assessments and draw conclusions that lead to life-changing decisions, including the removal of children from their parents, despite having no verifiable qualifications or regulatory oversight. Read more