CYP Now has obtained figures from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) that show that 33 care applications launched in 2010/11 are still to be closed, meaning that some children may have been waiting up to 190 weeks to find out whether they will be taken into care or remain with their birth families.
Cafcass has also revealed that a further seven cases that were started between 2007 and 2010 are still "open".
The revelations come as the government is stepping up its efforts to speed up the care system – ensuring family courts make swift decisions about the future of children in care is a key plank of Education Secretary Michael Gove's policy to increase the number of adoptions.
From April 2014, a new case management system will be introduced that aims for all care cases to be completed – from the start of an application to the final hearing being held – within 26 weeks, except in exceptional circumstances.
The figures highlight the difficulty that local authorities and the family court system will face in meeting the new timescales for all cases.
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
