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<p>The Ministry of Justice monitors the effectiveness of Cafcass thorough a partnership
relationship which includes regular contact between Departmental officials and senior
Cafcass executives. The Ministry of Justice is represented on a weekly Programme Board
held by Cafcass to monitor the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on its performance,
staff and users. The Permanent Secretary, as Principal Accounting Officer, has also
been in regular communication with the Chief Executive and Chair of Cafcass to discuss
how services to users can be effectively maintained, and how Cafcass staff are being
supported, during current restrictions. Ministers have oversight of the performance
of the wider family justice system and agree key priorities through the national Family
Justice Board which includes Cafcass and relevant stakeholders in the family justice
area.</p><p>Cafcass, as an Arms’ Length Body (ALB) of the MoJ, employs and regulates
relations with its staff independently of the Ministry of Justice. As an ALB, discussions
with trade union representatives are a matter for Cafcass only.</p>
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