CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) is now part of the Ministry of Justice.
CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) is now part of the Ministry of Justice.Cafcass looks after the interests of children involved in family court cases and helps over 145,000 children and young people who are involved in divorce or separation and care or adoption cases every year.
Cafcass makes sure children’s welfare is put first during court proceedings and are often called upon to make reports on children’s welfare. These reports are used by the courts to make decisions about what arrangements are best for children.
Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes said:
“Today the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) becomes part of the Ministry of Justice.
“We are reforming the family justice system to make sure welfare of children is at its heart and I am delighted to welcome Cafcass as the newest full member of our Ministry of Justice family.
“The work CAFCASS does in supporting vulnerable children and making sure their voice is heard in court proceedings is essential. With Cafcass from now on at the heart of government work on family and children issues in the Ministry of Justice, I believe we can and will improve the work done by our courts to give children and all responsible for them the best possible service.
The move follows the Family Justice Review’s recommendation in 2011 that Cafcass join the Ministry of Justice to ‘bring court social work functions closer to the court process’.