MPs deliver scathing verdict on Cafcass

The organisation saw a 34 per cent increase in its caseload in 2009/10 following the scandal. But the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report has said Cafcass was ill-prepared to deal with this.

Committee chair Margaret Hodge said: "This lack of readiness was a direct result of the organisation’s continued failure to get to get to grips with the fundamental weaknesses in its culture, management and performance."

The report found that Cafcass failed to address low staff morale and was blighted by high levels of sick absence and "under-performance by some staff".

While the quality of reports by court advisers were of a high standard these were beset with delays, the committee found.

The Department for Education expects Cafcass to have dramatically improved its service by next year. But Hodge said the committee does not share this confidence.

This is one of the most scathing reports into Cafcass's service since the Baby Peter scandal. Ofsted has already delivered critical reports into its service in eight out of 10 areas inspected.

Hodge said that Cafcass's most senior managers need to "demonstrate and exercise strong and vigorous leadership if Cafcass is to meet the challenges it faces".