ParTog is a safety and wellbeing charity advocating for young people involved in Social Services and Family Court proceedings. We protect children by giving low-income parents free professional and paralegal services they cannot afford. We also arrange housing and social care that Local Authorities denied them. Through partnerships with other charities, our outreach volunteers and supported housing charities, make ‘significant changes’ that enable a Court Appeal to return children home with their natural family

What we'll deliver:

• Improve access to Justice
• Enable disadvantaged families - stronger together
• Promote social accountability

Why it's a great idea:

Family stability The vast majority of our service users have disabilities, are educationally disadvantaged with little or no experience of children’s Rights, Local Authority obligations and their entitlements. We exist because; A) children of low-income parents run the highest risk of abuse, crime, self-harm and attempted suicide (ONS, 2019). B) Separation from their natural family is the most damaging form of child abuse (Dr Dianne McIntosh, 2019) C) Forty-nine of 53 schoolgirls raped by grooming gangs were in Social Care (Manchester Police Inquiry, 2020) D) Suicide is the main cause of death for UK children aged from five to adults aged 45, the majority lost a family relationship.

Steps to get it done:

1) Expert Witness reports – Estranged parents can petition the Court to commission an Expert Witness report from us that ethically promotes children’s Rights and entitlement to spend time with their natural families without conditions or restrictions 2) Professional Risk Assessments – Less detailed than an Expert Witness report but parents can submit them as evidence to support their application for residency or improved contact/quality time with their children 3) Family Law advice – Paralegals and McKenzie Friends provide family law advice with recommendations. Our volunteers assist service users 4) Outreach – Volunteers accompany parents to Hearings and Court sessions to read a prepared statement and provide emotional support as appropriate 5) Behaviour Management – Expert advice on young people’s emotional problems, antisocial and disruptive behaviour 6) Advocating for young people – Letters and formal complaints on behalf of young people that parents might find difficult or stress