A mother whose sons were killed by their father has welcomed a landmark announcement that abolishes the presumption of parental involvement in children’s lives.

The move is intended to protect children from abusive parents. Those deemed a threat to their child’s safety can now expect their involvement to be restricted. Courts can order that contact must be supervised, that communication can only be in writing, or that they should have no involvement with their sons or daughters.

The abolition of the presumption of parental involvement – introduced in the Children Act 1989 – has been welcomed by Claire Throssell, whose sons Jack, 12, and Paul, nine, were killed by their father.

She said: “For a decade, I have been campaigning with Women’s Aid to change the family courts system to make sure that no child is ever again placed at risk of further harm from abusive parents. Seeing that the presumption of parental contact will finally be repealed, and in the memory of my sons, Jack and Paul, is deeply meaningful. No child should have to hold out a hand for help in darkness, saying that they were hurt by someone who was meant to protect them. No parents should have to hold their children as they die, from the abuse of a perpetrator, as I did 11 years ago.”

Ms Throssell’s boys were with their father when he set fire to his home. She had warned he had threatened to kill the children and himself.

The Ministry of Justice praised her “remarkable campaign to keep children safe”.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said: “Every child deserves to be safe, every victim deserves to be heard, and every family deserves a justice system they can trust. We need to make sure that what happened to Claire and her children never happens again. This Government’s priority is to bring our justice system back from the brink. That means making sure the safety and welfare of children remains at the heart of every decision, and that’s why we are repealing the presumption of parental involvement through the Courts and Tribunal Bill. This is a landmark moment that I want to dedicate to the remarkable Claire Throssell, and to the memory of her two children, Jack and Paul. Her selfless campaign is helping us rebuild a justice system that is fair, compassionate, and with children’s safety at its heart.”

The Courts and Tribunal Bill will go before MPs on Tuesday.

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Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “We are delighted to see the Courts and Tribunals Bill includes plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act. Over 20 years ago, we published our first report on child homicides as a result of unsafe contact, with each death being entirely preventable. “Finally, we have been heard and these children have been recognised.”

She added: “Claire’s two sons, Jack and Paul, were murdered by their abusive father as a direct result of unsafe contact, which had been authorised by the family court, despite the pleas from Claire and her children. To have this change in their memory is deeply meaningful. Once this law is passed, we are hopeful that children’s safety and wellbeing will be at the heart of family courts, with the system now protecting them, instead of being used as a weapon by abusers.”