As 2025 draws to a close, it is clear that this has been a pivotal year for children’s social care. The system has faced immense pressure while also demonstrating resilience, adaptability and innovation. At ACCA, we have seen how practitioners, legal teams and local authorities have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of children despite an increasingly complex landscape.
Court Delays and Rising Demand for Expertise
One of the most significant challenges this year has been the continued delay across the family courts. Caseloads reached new highs, and timescales extended far beyond expected thresholds. These delays resulted in a sharp rise in requests for psychological assessments, ISW expertise and specialist reporting. With cases remaining open for longer, clear and clinically robust assessments became more vital than ever.
Increasing Complexity in Safeguarding and Family Dynamics
Safeguarding remained a dominant theme throughout 2025. Practitioners observed higher levels of emotional harm, domestic abuse, parental mental health concerns and overlapping risk factors. These complexities demanded assessments that were not only evidence-based but also sensitive to trauma, instability and long-term risk.
Improved Collaboration Across Agencies
Despite the challenges, 2025 also brought a renewed focus on partnership working. Local authorities increasingly sought expert input earlier in the process, and legal teams leaned on multi-disciplinary support to navigate complicated family presentations. These collaborative shifts improved information flow and strengthened decision-making across the sector.
ACCA’s Response and Commitment
Throughout the year, ACCA invested in expanding and strengthening our expert panel. We supported practitioners with training, coordination and consistent case engagement to meet rising demand. Our experts produced high-quality reports that remained clear and defensible even in the most complex circumstances.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The challenges of 2025 will influence practice for years to come. As we move into 2026, ACCA remains committed to supporting the courts with clear, balanced and timely assessments. Our focus on expert recruitment, trauma-informed practice, and multidisciplinary collaboration will continue to underpin our mission to improve outcomes for children.