Independent advocates for children subject to care proceedings have raised concerns that a plan to tackle delays in the family courts could in fact lead to children being taken into care inappropriately.
Both children's guardians' association Nagalro and the National Association of Independent Reviewing Officers (Nairo) say an agreement drawn up by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) and Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) could create a system that undermines important checks and balances in the family court process.
The focus of the ADCS and Cafcass joint agreement, published as an "advisory document" last month, is a commitment for social workers and court guardians to work more collaboratively to speed up cases and, where possible, divert them away from court.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
