Agata Miśkowiec argues that investment in Family Drug and Alcohol Courts improves outcomes for families and saves money.
Last month we unveiled a compelling case for investing in Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs), in a report jointly developed with the Centre for Justice Innovation and commissioned by the Department of Education. The launch event for the report drew a wide range of attendees, including representatives from local authorities, the judiciary, the DfE, and researchers—all showing a strong interest in this innovative model that has been proven to significantly improve outcomes in care proceedings. If you missed the event, you can catch up on the presented case here.
FDACs offer a trauma-informed alternative approach to care proceedings. While they operate under the same legal framework as standard care cases (the Public Law Outline), they stand out due to their unique practice model. An independent, multi-disciplinary team provides intensive therapeutic assessment and support, while a specially trained judge takes a hands-on approach, meeting with families every two weeks to guide their progress. For those unfamiliar with the FDAC model, you can dive deeper into its workings in the latest edition of our Family Justice Good Practice Guide.
Since their inception in 2008, FDACs have expanded to 35 local authorities, consistently demonstrating their effectiveness. Evaluations reveal that FDACs not only increase the chances of children returning to their parents' care (therefore reducing the reliance on foster and residential care), but also lower parental substance use, and create a more supportive, less adversarial experience for families involved in care proceedings. Both families and professionals report more positive experiences compared to standard proceedings.
But it’s not just about better outcomes—FDACs also make financial sense. Our recent analysis, crafted in line with HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance, shows that the FDAC model delivers significant long-term savings to the family justice system, particularly for local authorities. With an average cost of £18,000 per case, FDACs generate a direct benefit saving of £74,068 per case. This makes FDAC a financially sound choice.
To help local areas explore the potential financial benefits of FDAC, we’ve developed a free cost-benefit tool. It’s simple to use and could provide valuable insights into how FDAC might work in your area.
Download our tool here and see how FDAC can make a difference both for families and your budget.
To find out more about the case for investing in FDACs, please contact:
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