Family drug and alcohol courts are still running and are a success

Children are more likely to be reunited with their parents after FDAC proceedings. Photograph: Catherine Sheridan/Alamy

Jane Lawson (Letters, 17 December), extolled the virtues of the late Nicholas Crichton and his implementation of family drug and alcohol courts (FDACs) at Wells Street in London. However, FDACs were not “all destroyed” following the closure of courts like Wells Street. FDACs are still operating to this day. Since they were piloted in 2008, their reach has expanded: there are now 13 FDAC services that cover 38 local authorities across England and 21 family courts, with additional services due to open in 2025. A national evaluation of FDACs published in 2023 found that children were four times more likely to be reunited with their parents at the end of proceedings compared with similar families in non-FDAC care proceedings. More information can be found at fdac.org.uk
Miranda Paris
Centre for Justice Innovation

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