Parental Alienation (PA) and Alienating Behaviours are complex issues for family courts.

Judges and professionals must balance the child’s right to a relationship with both parents against the need for protection where harm or abuse may be present.

Both Ireland and the UK have published guidance and research to help courts and families navigate this sensitive area.

England & Wales: Family Justice Council (FJC) Guidance (2024)

The FJC advises that:

• PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome) should not be used—it lacks a scientific basis.
• Instead, professionals should consider whether:
1. A child shows Resistance, Reluctance, or Refusal (RRR) to contact a parent
2. There is no justified reason for this rejection (no abuse, neglect, or harm)
3. There is evidence of Alienating Behaviours by the other parent

If all three elements are present, courts may recognise the case as parental alienation.

🔹 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)

• Cafcass officers assess children’s welfare in court cases.
• They use the Child Impact Assessment Framework (CIAF) to explore reasons for contact difficulties, including possible alienating behaviours.

Courts in both Ireland and the UK caution that:

Allegations of alienation can sometimes be misused to deflect from genuine abuse or coercive control.  Also, careful, evidence-based assessment is essential to avoid silencing children or endangering families.