Media reporting of the family courts: a social worker’s reflections

By Polly Baynes
Since January 2024, the press have been allowed into nearly half of family courts in England and Wales to report on proceedings, following a year-long pilot in three areas. What are the implications for social workers?
The need to limit press reporting to protect vulnerable children from the disclosure of sensitive personal information has long been recognised.
Section 12 of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 made reporting on family proceedings involving children a contempt