Professionals acting for children to remain with them throughout cases

Professionals who represent children and vulnerable teenagers in the family court or social services system will be legally obliged to stay with their clients throughout the cases under new rules.

Cabinet agreed the move to a new statutory guardian ad litem service at its last meeting until September yesterday, saying that it is needed to ensure people in the systems have their rights fully protected.

Under current rules, while a vulnerable child or teenager is given an independent representative to look after their needs in hearings, this person is not obliged to look after their client until cases conclude.