Register now: DFJ Trailblazers National Learning and Strategy Programme: Webinar Series

In our end‑of‑programme webinar series, we take a deep dive into the most pressing family justice and children’s social care topics, sharing learning from across the programme and the wider children’s services sector, and exploring what this means for professional practice, system working and the future of the sector.

Upcoming Webinar Series

Each webinar brings together practitioners, analysts and system leaders to explore real‑world learning, share local experiences, and examine approaches that are already making a difference across family justice systems and the wider children’s social care sector.

We are excited to announce the following sessions as part of the series. Sign up below!

Join us for our webinar on how participatory approaches and advocacy can support meaningful family engagement and improve decision-making before family court proceedings begin. In this session we will draw on practical experience to reflect on what works in practice and the positive impact these methods can have for families and professionals.

Join us for this webinar with senior system leaders as we explore how meaningful change can be delivered within local children’s services and family justice systems. Drawing on the incredible wealth of combined experience of John Pearce, former Director of Children’s Services at Durham County Council, and Dr Beverley Barnett‑Jones MBE, former Associate Director at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, the session will focus on what enables change to happen, what local areas can influence within existing structures, and how leaders can turn ambition into practical action.

Join us in our webinar with Pause, alongside representatives from Cafcass’ Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB), as we share feedback from mothers, children and young people on their experience of care proceedings. The session will explore what this feedback means for local family justice systems and look ahead at what needs to change. Together, we’ll consider priorities, learning and practical recommendations to help local areas improve processes, practice, and ways of working in care proceedings.

Join us for this webinar with the Centre for Justice Innovation, featuring Sophie Carter and Grace Toller, as we explore problem‑solving approaches in the family courts. The session will focus on what problem‑solving approaches are, why they are needed, and the value they bring, alongside examples of good practice. We will also consider why problem‑solving approaches in court remain important alongside the national Families First reforms.

Join us for this webinar where our speakers will explore how to improve care proceedings for expectant mothers and newborn babies in a way that is compassionate and effective. In light of the recent Newborn Baby Protocol and Short Notice Application Guidance, this session will focus on sharing the values and ways of working that can make a difference when working with expectant mothers.

Join us for this webinar with the Centre for Justice Innovation and Pause exploring how family justice systems can better centre the experiences and needs of families by adopting a trauma-informed approach. Rather than focusing on operational processes or procedural reforms, the discussion will focus on the lived experiences of families navigating the court system, particularly the impact of trauma. We will consider how courts can become emotionally safer spaces, where families feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. The session will also explore how the voices of families can be meaningfully centred in decision-making, and what practical changes systems can make to become more responsive and attuned to their needs.

Join us for this webinar where we bring the Trailblazers webinar series to a close by reflecting on the key insights generated through the series and the programme more widely, and what these mean for the future of family justice. This webinar will explore what this learning tells us about where change is already happening, where challenges remain, and what matters most for local family justice systems as they look ahead. The discussion will focus on what professionals and system leaders can take away now to inform action in their roles and sustain momentum beyond the programme.