What outcome indicators, if any, are being, or will be, used to assess whether Family Court reforms are improving experiences and outcomes for children?

Answer

I am advised that the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) does not currently have specific outcome indicators that directly assess whether Family Court reforms are improving experiences and outcomes for children. This has also been the case for earlier reforms, including those made in 2014 and subsequent initiatives. The Ministry also does not routinely collect data on outcomes for children. The setting of performance measures and targets for the courts is a matter for the judiciary. The Statement of Principles between the judiciary and the Ministry recognises that responsibility for measuring court performance sits with the judiciary. The Ministry supports this function by collecting and reporting data relating to Family Court performance measures, to inform public reporting and assist the judiciary in its oversight of court performance.