<p>“Parental alienation” describes a situation where a parent knowingly (or unknowingly) manipulates a child’s wishes and feelings towards the other parent in an effort to undermine and interfere with their relationship. The Government is confident that the family justice system can robustly address such behaviour when it is alleged in child arrangements cases.</p><p>As the child’s welfare must be the court’s paramount concern, there is a statutory presumption that the involvement of a parent in the child’s life will further the child’s welfare, unless the contrary can be shown. The court must consider the child’s ascertainable wishes and feelings and how capable each of the parents are of meeting the child’s needs. These principles of the Children Act 1989 safeguard against orders being made because of implacable hostility by one parent.</p><p>Where Cafcass practitioners prepare a report into the child’s welfare, they are aware of the potential for children to be influenced or alienated by parental views. Any concerns of ‘parental alienation’ will be reported to the court.</p>