Part 1 - Orders with respect to children in family proceedings
7.Part 1 of the Act adds to the powers of the courts when dealing with cases involving contact with children.
8.During the proceedings a court may, even if it does not make a contact order, direct a party to take part in an activity that would promote contact with a child. It may make similar provision by means of a condition in a contact order.
9.The courts' powers in cases involving breach of a contact order are increased by adding:
a power to make an enforcement order imposing an unpaid work requirement;
a power to order one person to pay compensation to another for a financial loss caused by a breach.
10.These powers are in addition to their powers as to contempt and their ability to alter the residence and contact arrangements as regards a child.
11.Part 1 also includes provision to reform the courts' existing power to make family assistance orders and imposes a duty on the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and Welsh family proceedings officers to carry out risk assessments where they suspect a child is at risk of harm.
