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<p>No referrals from Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) to Cafcass on behalf of
children in care have resulted in legal proceedings in the last 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>20
referrals were made to Cafcass by IROs during the period in question. Cafcass responds
to every referral and appoints a Cafcass officer (often the previous guardian) to
provide an independent assessment of the child’s circumstances. Cafcass seeks in-house
legal advice for each referral which will recommend whether legal action should be
commenced in order to protect the child’s interests.</p><p> </p><p>In all cases, Cafcass
enters into negotiation with the local authority to try to resolve any dispute by
negotiation or mediation to achieve the best outcome for the child and most referrals
are resolved by agreement. Cafcass takes every step possible to ensure a child's human
rights are effectively protected and would not hesitate to take court action when
there is no other effective way to achieve a positive outcome for the child.</p>
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