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1133584
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-20more like thismore than 2019-06-20
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many family court advisers were employed by Cafcass in each year from 2010 to date. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Sheffield, Heeley more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Louise Haigh more like this
star this property uin 267259 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-25more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answer text <p>The number of family court advisers who were employed by Cafcass in each year from 2010 to date:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Month and Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Family Court Advisors </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2010</p></td><td><p>1120</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2011</p></td><td><p>1116</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2012</p></td><td><p>1163</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2013</p></td><td><p>1198</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2014</p></td><td><p>1226</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2015</p></td><td><p>1200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2016</p></td><td><p>1192</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2017</p></td><td><p>1146</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2018</p></td><td><p>1295</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March 2019</p></td><td><p>1337</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys more like this
star this property answering member printed Paul Maynard more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-25T13:27:56.187Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-25T13:27:56.187Z
star this property answering member
3926
star this property label Biography information for Paul Maynard more like this
star this property tabling member
4473
unstar this property label Biography information for Louise Haigh more like this
1253279
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-11-18more like thismore than 2020-11-18
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (a) management, (b) staff, (c) trade union representatives, (d) users and (e) other stakeholders on maintaining the effectiveness of that service. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Dwyfor Meirionnydd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Liz Saville Roberts more like this
star this property uin 117326 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2020-11-23more like thismore than 2020-11-23
star this property answer text <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>
star this property answering member constituency Cheltenham more like this
star this property answering member printed Alex Chalk more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-11-23T15:43:21.57Zmore like thismore than 2020-11-23T15:43:21.57Z
star this property answering member
4481
star this property label Biography information for Alex Chalk more like this
star this property tabling member
4521
unstar this property label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts more like this
1253280
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-11-18more like thismore than 2020-11-18
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of moving responsibility for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service to the Department for Education on the effectiveness of that service. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Dwyfor Meirionnydd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Liz Saville Roberts more like this
star this property uin 117327 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2020-11-23more like thismore than 2020-11-23
star this property answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is in discussion with the Treasury about the department’s overall settlement, including funding for Cafcass in 2021/22. No decisions have yet been made.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass when established in 2001 was the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor’s Department. That responsibility transferred to the former Department for Education and Science in 2004 before transferring in 2014 to the Ministry of Justice. The Government’s assessment in 2014 was that the work Cafcass does in supporting vulnerable children, and ensuring their voice is heard in court proceedings, is essential and that bringing Cafcass into the Ministry of Justice would be of great benefit to the family justice system.</p><p> </p><p>There is no evidence that a further transfer of responsibility for Cafcass is necessary, nor that it would have any benefits. Indeed, it would likely be an unhelpful distraction. The Ministry of Justice works closely with the Department for Education in relation to Cafcass and the role of local authority children’s services in public law children proceedings. Ministers in both departments have oversight of the performance of the wider family justice system and agree key priorities through the national Family Justice Board.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Cheltenham more like this
star this property answering member printed Alex Chalk more like this
unstar this property grouped question UIN 117325 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-11-23T15:39:11.093Zmore like thismore than 2020-11-23T15:39:11.093Z
star this property answering member
4481
star this property label Biography information for Alex Chalk more like this
star this property tabling member
4521
unstar this property label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts more like this
1271420
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-12-15more like thismore than 2020-12-15
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the decision by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) of 23 November 2020 to allocate only the highest priority work in South Yorkshire and the Humber, what steps he is taking to help avoid the necessity for Cafcass to trigger that prioritisation protocol elsewhere. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Dwyfor Meirionnydd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Liz Saville Roberts more like this
star this property uin 130169 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-01-11more like thismore than 2021-01-11
star this property answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has been working closely with Cafcass on mitigating the additional pressures on its services from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Decisions on Cafcass funding are made at a national level. Following discussions with Cafcass, the Ministry of Justice agreed £3.4m in additional funding this year to enable it to increase staff capacity at pace to help meet the challenge of a rising open caseload. It is for Cafcass to make operational decisions about how best to deploy resources across its Service Areas, including allocating work between them to alleviate pressures and reduce the risk of triggering the prioritisation protocol.</p><p> </p><p>Since the protocol was triggered in South Yorkshire and Humberside, significant joint agency work has been undertaken by Cafcass, the judiciary, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and other partners such as local authorities. This work has reviewed the root causes for triggering prioritisation in South Yorkshire and Humberside and has included data analysis and reviews of individual case files. The triggering of the protocol in South Yorkshire and Humberside remains under review.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass has taken measures to manage the impact on children and families of prioritising cases in this Service Area. Cases with a delayed allocation for further Cafcass work will be those where another safeguarding agency is involved or where no safeguarding risks have been identified. The parties will be sent a letter to let them know if Cafcass has been unable to allocate their case and to explain that they will be notified when it has been allocated to a Family Court Adviser. Children will be sent a letter that is age appropriate and explains why their case has been delayed and signposts them to alternative services they can use. The telephone number of a Cafcass Service Manager is given, and they can speak to parents or children if they have concerns about their unallocated case. Delays will be kept to a minimum where possible. All unallocated work will remain under review by a Cafcass Service Manager and reviewed regularly by the Assistant Director in the area and on a weekly basis by a multi-agency group which includes members of the judiciary and HMCTS. A material change to the circumstance of the family could, if appropriate, prompt a change to the priority of the case.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass continues to work to attract, recruit and retain social workers into the posts created by the additional £3.4m resource. It is continually reviewing and developing options to help retain its highly trained workforce during this challenging time. In South Yorkshire and Humberside Cafcass has recruited a number of agency and permanent Family Court Advisers which has addressed some of the issues present at the point the protocol was triggered.</p><p> </p><p>Ministry of Justice officials hold regular meetings with Cafcass for assurance that its resources are being used as effectively as possible. We are aware of the pressures that Cafcass staff are facing due to unprecedented levels of demand. The importance of being able to recruit and retain appropriately qualified staff is being considered during the approval of Cafcass’ pay remit for this financial year.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Cheltenham more like this
star this property answering member printed Alex Chalk more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
130170 more like this
130171 more like this
130172 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.313Zmore like thismore than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.313Z
star this property answering member
4481
star this property label Biography information for Alex Chalk more like this
star this property tabling member
4521
unstar this property label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts more like this
1271421
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-12-15more like thismore than 2020-12-15
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the decision by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) of 23 November 2020 to allocate only the highest priority work in South Yorkshire and the Humber, what estimate he has made of the additional financial resources necessary to (a) stabilise Cafcass in South Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) avoid the necessity for Cafcass to trigger that prioritisation protocol elsewhere. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Dwyfor Meirionnydd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Liz Saville Roberts more like this
star this property uin 130170 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-01-11more like thismore than 2021-01-11
star this property answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has been working closely with Cafcass on mitigating the additional pressures on its services from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Decisions on Cafcass funding are made at a national level. Following discussions with Cafcass, the Ministry of Justice agreed £3.4m in additional funding this year to enable it to increase staff capacity at pace to help meet the challenge of a rising open caseload. It is for Cafcass to make operational decisions about how best to deploy resources across its Service Areas, including allocating work between them to alleviate pressures and reduce the risk of triggering the prioritisation protocol.</p><p> </p><p>Since the protocol was triggered in South Yorkshire and Humberside, significant joint agency work has been undertaken by Cafcass, the judiciary, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and other partners such as local authorities. This work has reviewed the root causes for triggering prioritisation in South Yorkshire and Humberside and has included data analysis and reviews of individual case files. The triggering of the protocol in South Yorkshire and Humberside remains under review.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass has taken measures to manage the impact on children and families of prioritising cases in this Service Area. Cases with a delayed allocation for further Cafcass work will be those where another safeguarding agency is involved or where no safeguarding risks have been identified. The parties will be sent a letter to let them know if Cafcass has been unable to allocate their case and to explain that they will be notified when it has been allocated to a Family Court Adviser. Children will be sent a letter that is age appropriate and explains why their case has been delayed and signposts them to alternative services they can use. The telephone number of a Cafcass Service Manager is given, and they can speak to parents or children if they have concerns about their unallocated case. Delays will be kept to a minimum where possible. All unallocated work will remain under review by a Cafcass Service Manager and reviewed regularly by the Assistant Director in the area and on a weekly basis by a multi-agency group which includes members of the judiciary and HMCTS. A material change to the circumstance of the family could, if appropriate, prompt a change to the priority of the case.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass continues to work to attract, recruit and retain social workers into the posts created by the additional £3.4m resource. It is continually reviewing and developing options to help retain its highly trained workforce during this challenging time. In South Yorkshire and Humberside Cafcass has recruited a number of agency and permanent Family Court Advisers which has addressed some of the issues present at the point the protocol was triggered.</p><p> </p><p>Ministry of Justice officials hold regular meetings with Cafcass for assurance that its resources are being used as effectively as possible. We are aware of the pressures that Cafcass staff are facing due to unprecedented levels of demand. The importance of being able to recruit and retain appropriately qualified staff is being considered during the approval of Cafcass’ pay remit for this financial year.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Cheltenham more like this
star this property answering member printed Alex Chalk more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
130169 more like this
130171 more like this
130172 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.387Zmore like thismore than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.387Z
star this property answering member
4481
star this property label Biography information for Alex Chalk more like this
star this property tabling member
4521
unstar this property label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts more like this
1271423
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-12-15more like thismore than 2020-12-15
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the decision by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) of 23 November 2020 to allocate only the highest priority work in South Yorkshire and Humber, what impact assessment his Department has carried out on the effect of the prioritisation protocol on children and families in (a) South Yorkshire and Humber and (b) other regions. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Dwyfor Meirionnydd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Liz Saville Roberts more like this
star this property uin 130171 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-01-11more like thismore than 2021-01-11
star this property answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has been working closely with Cafcass on mitigating the additional pressures on its services from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Decisions on Cafcass funding are made at a national level. Following discussions with Cafcass, the Ministry of Justice agreed £3.4m in additional funding this year to enable it to increase staff capacity at pace to help meet the challenge of a rising open caseload. It is for Cafcass to make operational decisions about how best to deploy resources across its Service Areas, including allocating work between them to alleviate pressures and reduce the risk of triggering the prioritisation protocol.</p><p> </p><p>Since the protocol was triggered in South Yorkshire and Humberside, significant joint agency work has been undertaken by Cafcass, the judiciary, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and other partners such as local authorities. This work has reviewed the root causes for triggering prioritisation in South Yorkshire and Humberside and has included data analysis and reviews of individual case files. The triggering of the protocol in South Yorkshire and Humberside remains under review.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass has taken measures to manage the impact on children and families of prioritising cases in this Service Area. Cases with a delayed allocation for further Cafcass work will be those where another safeguarding agency is involved or where no safeguarding risks have been identified. The parties will be sent a letter to let them know if Cafcass has been unable to allocate their case and to explain that they will be notified when it has been allocated to a Family Court Adviser. Children will be sent a letter that is age appropriate and explains why their case has been delayed and signposts them to alternative services they can use. The telephone number of a Cafcass Service Manager is given, and they can speak to parents or children if they have concerns about their unallocated case. Delays will be kept to a minimum where possible. All unallocated work will remain under review by a Cafcass Service Manager and reviewed regularly by the Assistant Director in the area and on a weekly basis by a multi-agency group which includes members of the judiciary and HMCTS. A material change to the circumstance of the family could, if appropriate, prompt a change to the priority of the case.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass continues to work to attract, recruit and retain social workers into the posts created by the additional £3.4m resource. It is continually reviewing and developing options to help retain its highly trained workforce during this challenging time. In South Yorkshire and Humberside Cafcass has recruited a number of agency and permanent Family Court Advisers which has addressed some of the issues present at the point the protocol was triggered.</p><p> </p><p>Ministry of Justice officials hold regular meetings with Cafcass for assurance that its resources are being used as effectively as possible. We are aware of the pressures that Cafcass staff are facing due to unprecedented levels of demand. The importance of being able to recruit and retain appropriately qualified staff is being considered during the approval of Cafcass’ pay remit for this financial year.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Cheltenham more like this
star this property answering member printed Alex Chalk more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
130169 more like this
130170 more like this
130172 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.437Zmore like thismore than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.437Z
star this property answering member
4481
star this property label Biography information for Alex Chalk more like this
star this property tabling member
4521
unstar this property label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts more like this
1271426
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-12-15more like thismore than 2020-12-15
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the decision by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) of 23 November 2020 to allocate only the highest priority work in South Yorkshire and Humber, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve the effectiveness of Cafcass and (b) increase Cafcass staff retention. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Dwyfor Meirionnydd more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Liz Saville Roberts more like this
star this property uin 130172 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-01-11more like thismore than 2021-01-11
star this property answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has been working closely with Cafcass on mitigating the additional pressures on its services from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Decisions on Cafcass funding are made at a national level. Following discussions with Cafcass, the Ministry of Justice agreed £3.4m in additional funding this year to enable it to increase staff capacity at pace to help meet the challenge of a rising open caseload. It is for Cafcass to make operational decisions about how best to deploy resources across its Service Areas, including allocating work between them to alleviate pressures and reduce the risk of triggering the prioritisation protocol.</p><p> </p><p>Since the protocol was triggered in South Yorkshire and Humberside, significant joint agency work has been undertaken by Cafcass, the judiciary, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and other partners such as local authorities. This work has reviewed the root causes for triggering prioritisation in South Yorkshire and Humberside and has included data analysis and reviews of individual case files. The triggering of the protocol in South Yorkshire and Humberside remains under review.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass has taken measures to manage the impact on children and families of prioritising cases in this Service Area. Cases with a delayed allocation for further Cafcass work will be those where another safeguarding agency is involved or where no safeguarding risks have been identified. The parties will be sent a letter to let them know if Cafcass has been unable to allocate their case and to explain that they will be notified when it has been allocated to a Family Court Adviser. Children will be sent a letter that is age appropriate and explains why their case has been delayed and signposts them to alternative services they can use. The telephone number of a Cafcass Service Manager is given, and they can speak to parents or children if they have concerns about their unallocated case. Delays will be kept to a minimum where possible. All unallocated work will remain under review by a Cafcass Service Manager and reviewed regularly by the Assistant Director in the area and on a weekly basis by a multi-agency group which includes members of the judiciary and HMCTS. A material change to the circumstance of the family could, if appropriate, prompt a change to the priority of the case.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass continues to work to attract, recruit and retain social workers into the posts created by the additional £3.4m resource. It is continually reviewing and developing options to help retain its highly trained workforce during this challenging time. In South Yorkshire and Humberside Cafcass has recruited a number of agency and permanent Family Court Advisers which has addressed some of the issues present at the point the protocol was triggered.</p><p> </p><p>Ministry of Justice officials hold regular meetings with Cafcass for assurance that its resources are being used as effectively as possible. We are aware of the pressures that Cafcass staff are facing due to unprecedented levels of demand. The importance of being able to recruit and retain appropriately qualified staff is being considered during the approval of Cafcass’ pay remit for this financial year.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Cheltenham more like this
star this property answering member printed Alex Chalk more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
130169 more like this
130170 more like this
130171 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.483Zmore like thismore than 2021-01-11T16:15:38.483Z
star this property answering member
4481
star this property label Biography information for Alex Chalk more like this
star this property tabling member
4521
unstar this property label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts more like this
1357435
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-09-22more like thismore than 2021-09-22
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the level of the backlog of cases in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service as at 22 September 2021; and what steps he is taking to tackle that backlog. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Lewisham West and Penge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ellie Reeves more like this
star this property uin 53316 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-10-21more like thismore than 2021-10-21
star this property answer text <p>The protection of children, particularly those who are most vulnerable, is a priority for this government. We recognise the additional pressures that the family justice system has faced since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact this has had on children and families who use the family courts. Since the start of the pandemic the number of new cases issued to Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) has exceeded the number of cases closed for Cafcass. As at 1 September, Cafcass caseload is 20% higher than March 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice has worked closely with Cafcass to manage these pressures and mitigate the impact on its services. Earlier this year £6million in additional funding was agreed to enable Cafcass to increase staff capacity to meet the increased open caseload.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass has also put in place a protocol to, where necessary, prioritise cases in local service areas so it can continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families. The approach involves courts working with Cafcass to triage and allocate cases in private law proceedings on the basis of risk and capacity. The Ministry of Justice has agreed an additional £491k to support this work until the end of this financial year.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass’ prioritisation protocol only applies to private law applications. All public law work continues to be allocated in the normal way and within established timescales. Urgent public law children cases are still being prioritised by the courts, to help safeguard the welfare of the most vulnerable children.</p>
star this property answering member constituency South Suffolk more like this
star this property answering member printed James Cartlidge more like this
unstar this property grouped question UIN 53317 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-10-21T19:47:27.353Zmore like thismore than 2021-10-21T19:47:27.353Z
star this property answering member
4519
star this property label Biography information for James Cartlidge more like this
star this property tabling member
4620
unstar this property label Biography information for Ellie Reeves more like this
1357436
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-09-22more like thismore than 2021-09-22
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the impact of the backlog of cases in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service on vulnerable children and families. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Lewisham West and Penge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ellie Reeves more like this
star this property uin 53317 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-10-21more like thismore than 2021-10-21
star this property answer text <p>The protection of children, particularly those who are most vulnerable, is a priority for this government. We recognise the additional pressures that the family justice system has faced since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact this has had on children and families who use the family courts. Since the start of the pandemic the number of new cases issued to Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) has exceeded the number of cases closed for Cafcass. As at 1 September, Cafcass caseload is 20% higher than March 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice has worked closely with Cafcass to manage these pressures and mitigate the impact on its services. Earlier this year £6million in additional funding was agreed to enable Cafcass to increase staff capacity to meet the increased open caseload.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass has also put in place a protocol to, where necessary, prioritise cases in local service areas so it can continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families. The approach involves courts working with Cafcass to triage and allocate cases in private law proceedings on the basis of risk and capacity. The Ministry of Justice has agreed an additional £491k to support this work until the end of this financial year.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass’ prioritisation protocol only applies to private law applications. All public law work continues to be allocated in the normal way and within established timescales. Urgent public law children cases are still being prioritised by the courts, to help safeguard the welfare of the most vulnerable children.</p>
star this property answering member constituency South Suffolk more like this
star this property answering member printed James Cartlidge more like this
unstar this property grouped question UIN 53316 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-10-21T19:47:27.4Zmore like thismore than 2021-10-21T19:47:27.4Z
star this property answering member
4519
star this property label Biography information for James Cartlidge more like this
star this property tabling member
4620
unstar this property label Biography information for Ellie Reeves more like this
1523394
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-10-18more like thismore than 2022-10-18
star this property answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
star this property answering dept id 54 remove filter
star this property answering dept short name Justice more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Justice more like this
star this property hansard heading CAFCASS remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy of funding for and (b) effectiveness in the disbursement of that funding for contact centres as a result of the withdrawal of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services from the disbursement process. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Nottingham North more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Alex Norris more like this
star this property uin 65979 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-10-24more like thismore than 2022-10-24
star this property answer text <p>The Government recognises the important services provided by child contact centres.</p><p>Until April this year, the Ministry of Justice provided small value grants, via Cafcass, to support the running of child contact centres. The Ministry of Justice is in the final stages of agreeing the funding arrangements for this year’s grants and information will be made publicly available once this process is complete.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Dartford more like this
star this property answering member printed Gareth Johnson more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-10-24T11:55:01.83Zmore like thismore than 2022-10-24T11:55:01.83Z
star this property answering member
3970
star this property label Biography information for Gareth Johnson more like this
star this property tabling member
4641
unstar this property label Biography information for Alex Norris more like this