As a newborn baby lies in hospital a decision is made that will change her life forever

In a modern glass building in Manchester, families nervously await their fate. This is a place where children can be removed from the care of their birth parents as early as the day they are born.

Here, in Manchester’s family court, the state has the power to intervene in the domestic make up of a home - but most of us will never see what goes on behind the glass walls.

For years, reporters haven't been allowed to report on family court proceedings. But a successful pilot allowing journalists to report in Leeds, Cardiff and Carlisle in 2023 was earlier this year rolled out to a number of other locations - including Manchester.

This means reporters now have the ability to observe and scrutinise the tremendous powers these courts hold, while ensuring the anonymity and protection of those involved.

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The Manchester Evening News spent a day at Manchester's family court, giving the public a rare glimpse into some of the big decisions made on the lives of our region’s families.

Here is what happened

As a days-old baby is cared for in hospital, across the city in Manchester’s Civil Justice Centre, staggeringly important decisions are being made about her future.

Bolton Council have concerns about the parents’ ability to care for the child, a representative tells the court. They have come today to apply for a care order, which would see her removed from her parents and placed in foster care within days of her birth.

A document provided to the M.E.N by the court provides more insight - it says the mother ‘appears to meet the criteria’ for a learning difficulty. This is not her first experience in the family courts - the document explains that she has previously had two children removed from her care following