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1588683

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/02/2023
	date	23/02/2023
	date tabled	23/02/2023
	ddp created	23/02/2023 17:24:38
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	ddp modified	23/02/2023 17:36:05 28/02/2023 19:55:27
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Food
	house id	1
	identifier	151347
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	28/02/2023 19:25:00
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on a single buyer agreement for public sector food; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of such an agreement on (a) regional wholesalers and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales.
	session	2022/23
	session number	3
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2022/23 151347
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	151347
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Crown Commercial Service, on behalf of the Cabinet Office, continues to work alongside the national food industry, including the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, to make sure that suppliers’ concerns are being factored into the development of the agreement.</p><p>We regularly engage with colleagues from the devolved nations, including customers and suppliers across Wales, on their commercial requirements and how we can support them.</p><p>SMEs and wholesalers are crucial to the food supply chain and have been consulted as part of supplier engagement. These stakeholders have been from across the whole of the UK. The UK Government always seeks to work constructively with devolved administrations, including the Welsh Government, and feedback from this process shaped the procurement strategy for the framework agreement.</p><p>The UK Government has made important changes to ensure SME producers across the country will have increased opportunities to work with the public sector. Furthermore, customers will be able to request nominated local products (subject to the local supplier/producer meeting the minimum technical standards). These products would be consolidated into a single delivery with their food order.</p><p>Lastly, this will be the first procurement for CCS in the food market, which will actually bring additional choice to public sector food buyers.</p><p> </p> question first answered 28/02/2023 19:25:00 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1672004

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	27/11/2023
	date	21/11/2023
	date tabled	21/11/2023
	ddp created	21/11/2023 20:26:22
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	ddp modified	21/11/2023 20:50:21 27/11/2023 18:29:17
	hansard heading	Ministers: Members' Interests
	house id	1
	identifier	3055
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	27/11/2023 17:57:25
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps Cabinet members appointed on 13 November 2023 have taken as part of the interests declaration and management process as of 21 November 2023.
	session	2023/24
	session number	4
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2023/24 3055
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	3055
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Ministerial Code makes clear that Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise. It is the personal responsibility of each Minister to decide whether and what action is needed to avoid a conflict or the perception of a conflict, taking account of advice received from their Permanent Secretary and the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ interests.</p><p>As set out in Chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code, there is an established regime in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers. Cabinet members appointed on 13 November 2023 are following this standard process. On appointment to each new office, ministers must provide their Permanent Secretary and Independent Adviser with a full list of interests which might be thought to give rise to a conflict. This includes interests of the minister’s spouse or partner and close family which might be thought to give rise to a conflict.</p><p>The Independent Adviser publishes a list of relevant interests. Work is underway on the next List which will include all ministers appointed week commencing 13 November.</p><p> </p> question first answered 27/11/2023 17:57:25 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1182292

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	09/03/2020
	date	03/03/2020
	date tabled	03/03/2020
	ddp created	03/03/2020 19:01:09
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	04/03/2020 14:47:54 09/03/2020 15:41:02
	hansard heading	Police: Driving
	house id	1
	identifier	24394
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	09/03/2020 15:09:15
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on claims for compensation by police emergency drivers that are injured in the line of duty of the provisions of the Civil Liability Act 2018.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 24394
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	24394
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>The provisions in Part One of the Civil Liability Act (the Act) apply to the occupants of a motor vehicle whether or not they were injured in the course of their employment. An impact assessment was published following the completion of the Parliamentary passage of the Act, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-liability-bill" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-liability-bill</a>.</p><p>Following implementation, the Government will monitor the management information produced by the new Official Injury Claims service, including data on the impact of the measures implemented through the Act and the supplementary measures to increase the small claims limit for road traffic accident related personal injury claims.</p><p>All claimants, will be able to access the new service which will enable the effective resolution of their claim pre-court proceedings. Claimants will also be able to utilise the low cost small claims track procedure, which is designed to be accessible and uncomplicated should they need to progress their claim through the courts.</p> question first answered 09/03/2020 15:09:15 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1253275

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	23/11/2020
	date	18/11/2020
	date tabled	18/11/2020
	ddp created	18/11/2020 21:26:06
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	18/11/2020 21:37:44 23/11/2020 16:05:17
	hansard heading	CAFCASS: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	identifier	117323
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	23/11/2020 15:33:55
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the effectiveness of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 117323
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	117323
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>As an essential public service, Cafcass continues to work hard to maintain its service to children and families during very challenging circumstances. This is a tribute to its leadership and staff at all levels.</p><p> </p><p>At the beginning of the first national lockdown, Cafcass closed all its offices to the public and conducted its work with children, families and the family courts remotely and continued as far as possible to file welfare reports, attend remote hearings and progress cases accordingly. In the summer, Cafcass published protocols setting out how and when its staff attend court in person and on the use of remote video technology and in-person visits to speak with children in their home, in outside spaces such as parks, or at a re-opened Cafcass office from late July.</p><p> </p><p>On 17 November Cafcass published new guidance setting out its approach to working with children and families during the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic. It is Cafcass’ priority to see children and families in person when it is in their best interest to do so, and this will depend on the particular circumstances in each case. From the end of November all Cafcass offices and touchdown locations will be open to provide Covid-secure places to work and to meet children and families while keeping safe. Cafcass will continue to review and ensure that all these measures are in accordance with government and public health guidance.</p><p> </p><p>In terms of the impact of remote hearings on Cafcass, research by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory published in October shows that most professionals, including Cafcass staff, feel that overall the courts are now working more effectively and that there are even some benefits from remote working. However, the report also highlights some areas of concern that need to be addressed. There are clearly circumstances where more support is required to enable parents and young people to take part in remote hearings effectively, and this is under consideration by the senior family judiciary.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass continues to experience high levels of demand for its services while managing a rise in the number of open cases due to a reduction in case disposals. The Ministry of Justice has allocated an additional £3.4m this year to help Cafcass meet these challenges. Cafcass has put in place a protocol to enable it, where necessary, to prioritise cases in local service areas so that it can continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families.</p> question first answered 23/11/2020 15:33:55 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1253277

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	23/11/2020
	date	18/11/2020
	date tabled	18/11/2020
	ddp created	18/11/2020 21:26:15
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	18/11/2020 21:37:53 23/11/2020 16:05:15
	hansard heading	CAFCASS: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	identifier	117324
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	23/11/2020 15:33:55
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what additional resources he has allocated to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service during the covid-19 outbreak.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 117324
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	117324
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>As an essential public service, Cafcass continues to work hard to maintain its service to children and families during very challenging circumstances. This is a tribute to its leadership and staff at all levels.</p><p> </p><p>At the beginning of the first national lockdown, Cafcass closed all its offices to the public and conducted its work with children, families and the family courts remotely and continued as far as possible to file welfare reports, attend remote hearings and progress cases accordingly. In the summer, Cafcass published protocols setting out how and when its staff attend court in person and on the use of remote video technology and in-person visits to speak with children in their home, in outside spaces such as parks, or at a re-opened Cafcass office from late July.</p><p> </p><p>On 17 November Cafcass published new guidance setting out its approach to working with children and families during the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic. It is Cafcass’ priority to see children and families in person when it is in their best interest to do so, and this will depend on the particular circumstances in each case. From the end of November all Cafcass offices and touchdown locations will be open to provide Covid-secure places to work and to meet children and families while keeping safe. Cafcass will continue to review and ensure that all these measures are in accordance with government and public health guidance.</p><p> </p><p>In terms of the impact of remote hearings on Cafcass, research by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory published in October shows that most professionals, including Cafcass staff, feel that overall the courts are now working more effectively and that there are even some benefits from remote working. However, the report also highlights some areas of concern that need to be addressed. There are clearly circumstances where more support is required to enable parents and young people to take part in remote hearings effectively, and this is under consideration by the senior family judiciary.</p><p> </p><p>Cafcass continues to experience high levels of demand for its services while managing a rise in the number of open cases due to a reduction in case disposals. The Ministry of Justice has allocated an additional £3.4m this year to help Cafcass meet these challenges. Cafcass has put in place a protocol to enable it, where necessary, to prioritise cases in local service areas so that it can continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families.</p> question first answered 23/11/2020 15:33:55 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1253278

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	23/11/2020
	date	18/11/2020
	date tabled	18/11/2020
	ddp created	18/11/2020 21:26:20
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	18/11/2020 21:37:57 23/11/2020 16:11:11
	hansard heading	CAFCASS: Finance
	house id	1
	identifier	117325
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	23/11/2020 15:39:11
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding required to maintain the effectiveness of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service over the next 12 months.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 117325
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	117325
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer 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> question first answered 23/11/2020 15:39:11 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1253279

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	23/11/2020
	date	18/11/2020
	date tabled	18/11/2020
	ddp created	18/11/2020 21:26:24
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	18/11/2020 21:38:02 23/11/2020 16:15:08
	hansard heading	CAFCASS
	house id	1
	identifier	117326
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	23/11/2020 15:43:21
	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.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 117326
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	117326
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer 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> question first answered 23/11/2020 15:43:21 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1253280

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	23/11/2020
	date	18/11/2020
	date tabled	18/11/2020
	ddp created	18/11/2020 21:26:30
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	18/11/2020 21:38:07 23/11/2020 16:11:09
	hansard heading	CAFCASS
	house id	1
	identifier	117327
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	23/11/2020 15:39:11
	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.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 117327
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	117327
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer 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> question first answered 23/11/2020 15:39:11 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1271420

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2021
	date	15/12/2020
	date tabled	15/12/2020
	ddp created	15/12/2020 18:57:20
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	30/12/2020 15:46:40 11/01/2021 16:47:16
	hansard heading	CAFCASS
	house id	1
	identifier	130169
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	11/01/2021 16:15:38
	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.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 130169
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	130169
	version	3
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer 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> question first answered 11/01/2021 16:15:38 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1271421

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2021
	date	15/12/2020
	date tabled	15/12/2020
	ddp created	15/12/2020 18:57:25
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	ddp modified	30/12/2020 15:46:42 11/01/2021 16:47:14
	hansard heading	CAFCASS
	house id	1
	identifier	130170
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	58
	question first answered	11/01/2021 16:15:38
	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.
	session	2019/21
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2019/21 130170
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	130170
	version	3
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer 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> question first answered 11/01/2021 16:15:38 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	creator	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts