This period of uncertainty in a child’s life should be kept to a bare minimum. That is why the 26-week care proceedings target was introduced a decade ago. Yet, the average duration of care proceedings is currently 46 weeks.
The pandemic has been a factor in this: closure of courts during lockdowns gummed up the decision-making processes, from which the system is yet to fully recover. However, the average duration of care proceedings had crept up from the 26-week target to the mid-30s in early 2020, suggesting there is a fundamental system problem with delays.
Tackling delays in proceedings is a key aim of the strategic plan for children’s guardians’ body Cafcass. Its chief executive Jacky Tiotto tells CYP Now that reducing delays will require agencies to work collaboratively and for practitioners to be bold in their decision making. Easy to say, but hard to do. However, the circumstances for it to happen now are better for three reasons.
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