To ask the Minister of Health to detail how his Department engages with the family courts system.

My Department is represented on the Shadow Family Justice Board, which was established in response to the 2017 Review of Civil and Family Justice. This is led by a Senior Family Judge and include representation from across the judiciary as well as other government/statutory organisations, including HSC Trusts.

In addition, my officials engage with the judiciary on specific matters of mutual interest, as such matters arise. Examples include presentations on looked after children in contact with the criminal justice system, and on a new memorandum of understanding between the Department and Probation Board for Northern Ireland relating to reports being provided to the judiciary on the impact on a child arising from a custodial sentence of a parent/carer.

The approval of Departmental officials is also provided to the court as part of applications made by HSC Trusts under Article 44 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, where a secure accommodation order is being sought in respect of a child aged under 13 years.