Use of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court in Care Proceedings

The case of Gloucestershire County Council v D v E v G (A Child) was heard by the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) with a Final Hearing taking place on 19th December 2025. FDAC is an alternative family court for care proceedings specifically designed to work with parents who struggle with substance misuse. They aim to solve the problems that have led to the Local Authority issuing proceedings. The same Judge reviews the case every fortnight in an informal hearing with the parents and no lawyers and the court provides professionals such as domestic abuse and mental health workers as well as regular drug testing.

In this particular case, the child was 13 months old, and the mother had four older children who had all been removed from her care previously. The mother had a long history of cocaine and alcohol use. She had experienced domestic abuse, poor mental health and had a history of poor engagement with services. The father in this case did not engage and findings were made against him in his absence.

With the support of FDAC, the mother was able to maintain abstinence for seven months. She fully engaged with the substance misuse practitioner, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, Social Worker, mental health practitioner and health visitor as well as attending community sessions and AA meetings.

Three months before the final hearing, the child was returned to the mother’s care and the Local Authority changed their plan and sought a 12-month Supervision Order to provide the mother with support.

The Judge felt that the mother had engaged meaningfully and was satisfied that she could meet the child’s needs if she maintained her progress. A Supervision Order was made to last for 12 months. FDAC would continue to have informal review meetings with the mother.

The Judge expressed that this outcome could not have been achieved without FDAC. The tailored support put the mother in a position to care for her child. The Judge expressed hope that there will be wider use of FDAC and problem-solving courts in the future.

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