The average time it takes for care proceedings to be completed in the family courts is at its highest level in four years, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures published in October.
The MoJ family court data shows it took 30 weeks to dispose of a care or supervision case during April to June 2018 - two weeks longer than the same quarter in 2017 and the highest average since 2014.
Just 48 per cent of cases were completed within the 26-week target set under the Public Law Outline (PLO) arrangements.
Extension requests
Social workers can legitimately apply for an extension to the 26-week timescales for complex cases that require additional work.
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