Timms annual child care conference is, without a doubt, an event not to be missed for any Family Law Professional working with children…
Running annually for over ten years, the annual care conference focuses on different aspects of law relating to children. The conferences are designed to share key topical knowledge across the profession, giving advice and understanding to help everyone in their day-to-day jobs.
Recognised as a leading Family Law firm with an experienced childcare team, Timms work across the East Midlands with offices in Derby, Ashby, Burton-upon-Trent, and Swadlincote.
On Friday 10th November 2023, we held our 10th annual Care Conference on the subject of Siblings in Care Proceedings.
Titled ‘Is Blood Thicker Than Water?’ we were delighted to welcome experts in their field; Daniel Monk, Professor of Law at Birkbeck, University of London, Dr Jacqueline Lynch, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Barrister David Payne from St.Ives Chambers, Birmingham and Hannah Barrs, Jacqueline Mallet and Moira Clarke from Derby City Council’s Adoption Permanence Team.
What Were The Conference Aims?
Our 2023 conference, the brainchild of Jo Taylor and Fiona Moffat, focused on the impact of family proceedings on brothers and sisters and how they are treated by the law. The aim of the conference was to provide a thought provoking insight into what is a sibling?; why the relationship between siblings matters; how the relationship is assessed; and how siblings are treated in care and adoption proceedings and beyond.
The sold out event attracted 100 delegates, a mixture of solicitors, guardians, barristers and those who work within the care system.
Timms Solicitors Managing Partner Fiona Moffat explained: “We posed the question at our Child care conference on Friday 10th November at Pride Park stadium to an audience of professionals working in the area of child care “Is blood thicker than water?”
We had a thought provoking day thinking about siblings and sibling relationships. We reflected on the current way in which the courts are treating sibling groups and shift in attitude towards supporting sibling relationships.
Professor Daniel Monk was able to demonstrate that the court process is looking more favourably at keeping sibling groups together as a result of his research. Dr Lynch gave us colourful examples of how siblings interact and what is “normal” interaction and finally concluded that most definitely blood is thicker than water. Reactions from children engaging in contact with separately placed siblings such as bed wetting or a withdrawn demeanour or other similar responses may be normal responses and do not mean that contact should cease because of these. Honesty with children at their level of understanding about their life story is so important for development of identity.”
Further Information
If you are a parent looking for advice on care proceedings, please contact our team on freephone 0800 011 6666 or email us at legal@timms-law.com.
If you would like information on our conferences and/or would like to join our mailing list, please contact Sharon Jeffery at marketing@timms-law.com.
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