3.1 An example of problem-solving courts in the UK: FDAC

This section explores Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) in the UK. They are explored as an example of dealing with social rupture using a problem-solving model. As you will see, they are more person-centred and seek to understand much more of the specific detail behind what has led to a social rupture. Their aim is to problem solve and, if possible, seek to reconnect a person who is struggling with a more supportive social environment, thus facilitating a different kind of repair to an adversarial court.

You will learn about the family drug and alcohol courts by hearing about the experiences of real people who have worked or been through proceedings in FDAC. Specifically, you will hear from:

• Heidi, a parent who has been through the FDAC process
• Charley, a solicitor working for a local authority in relation to the FDAC process
• Si, a practitioner working in the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire FDAC
• Jenny, a team manager in the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire FDAC
• Katie, a parent who has been through the FDAC process.

In the below clips, each of the five people discuss their experiences of FDAC. Listen to one or more of the audio clips, and then answer the corresponding question(s) in Activity 1.

Now that you’ve listened to one or more audio clip(s), answer the question(s) below relating to the audio(s) you listened to. You do not need to answer all of the questions.