A new research paper commissioned by Department of Education warns that the family justice system needs to reduce delays in making decisions regarding the welfare of children in order to prevent long-term damage to their development.

The paper was prepared by Rebecca Brown and Harriet Ward from the Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre and brings together key research evidence to facilitate understanding among professionals working in the family justice system.

It was commissioned in response to the Family Justice Review recommendation for consistent training and development for family justice professionals, including a greater emphasis on child development.