This is an extract from a speech given by Mr Justice Gillen to a conference in Belfast organised by Children Law UK in January 2006. It addresses the potential conflict between the concept of the welfare of children inherent in the family care system and that of responsibility inherent in the criminal justice system. It questions whether the abolition of "doli incapax" and the age of criminal responsibility at the age of 10 in the UK places too much emphasis on the prevention of offending and too little attention on a child centred focus. The article exhorts a more holistic "joined up" approach to family and criminal justice. (Contains 5 notes.)