Court Access Training Aims to Strengthen Child Protection Cases Nationwide

Children involved in protection cases across Belize are expected to benefit from stronger advocacy and more effective representation in the courts, following the start of this year’s Court Access Training for frontline social workers.

The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, through the Department of Human Services, officially commenced its annual training with an opening ceremony held yesterday at Zenses Resort in Caye Caulker. The initiative brings together social workers, judicial officers and development partners with the aim of improving how child protection matters are handled within the court system.  Sessions focus on reviewing relevant child protection legislation, understanding different types of court applications and variations of orders, arraignment and bail hearings, as well as the preparation of Social Inquiry Reports and affidavits. Participants are also engaging in peer review exercises and practical documentation workshops designed to improve consistency and accuracy in court submissions.

In her remarks, Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs Thea Garcia Ramirez emphasized the importance of ensuring that Children Services Officers are properly equipped to navigate judicial processes with confidence and competence.  Also addressing the ceremony were Antoinette Moore, Justice of the High Court of Belize and Chair of the Policy and Legislative Committee; Enkhnasan Nasan-Ulzii, Social Policy Specialist and UNICEF Head of Office-Belize; Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General of Belize; and Ganesha Smith, Director of the Community Rehabilitation Department. Their participation underscored the cross-sector collaboration considered essential to protecting children who enter the legal system.  The two-day training, held under the theme “Capacity Building and Sensitization for Child Protection Social Workers: Court Access and Judicial Practice,” includes 57 Children Services Officers, supervisors and designated Community Rehabilitation Department officers.  

Facilitators include Shanti Morrison, Director of the Belize Family Court, and Deborah Rogers, Chief Magistrate, reflecting ongoing collaboration between the judiciary and social service agencies.  The Ministry has acknowledged financial support from UNICEF Belize.  Love News understands that the training is part of the department’s annual professional development programme and aligns with ongoing legislative reforms, including sensitization around the Families Bill. By the end of the sessions, participants are expected to demonstrate improved preparation of court documentation, greater confidence when giving evidence and stronger coordination with judicial partners./