In a recent update, CAFCASS announced a new way of communicating with children who are the subject of public and private law court proceedings.
What is CAFCASS?
CAFCASS is the Children And Family Court Advisory Support Service and the independent agency used to assist the Court with resolving disputes in relation to children.
What was the CAFCASS update about?
Announced on 18 January 2021, CAFCASS stated that it will be using new welcome and goodbye letters that it hopes will better meet the needs of children and families with whom it works. The hope is that the new letters will give the children information that they need, help them have the best opportunity to tell their Family Court Advisor what is important to them and what needs to be considered as CAFCASS works with families.
You can read the CAFCASS update here. There is helpful commentary from CAFCASS Chief Executive, Jackie Tiotto, and it would certainly seem to represent a very helpful approach given the present third lockdown which the nation is contending with.
CAFCASS and lockdown
The current circumstances are a challenge for all. Especially so with the Family Court system, with professionals and the Court having to adopt new ways of working and making adjustments to ensure that the Family Justice System continues.
Time will tell as to the effect and impact of the new approach by CAFCASS but it would certainly appear that this would seem a more bespoke approach towards families. What might work for one child doesn’t always work for the next, so this may pave the way for a more inclusive experience for families and their children, which can only be a good thing.
For more information on how to deal with child matters during lockdown, please see our previous articles: