In a briefing launched at Napo's annual meeting yesterday (15 October),Cafcass was accused of being "incapable" of dealing with family courtcases due to staff shortages and was said to be dogged by "a culture ofchange for change's sake" with staff morale at an all-time low.
The union claimed delays in court proceedings, caused by a lack offrontline practitioners, are damaging the welfare of the childreninvolved in cases.
Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of Napo, said: "Cafcass hashad problems since its inception. Napo believes the delay taken toprovide information for the courts is unacceptable and not in the bestinterests of children."
However, Cafcass said the allegations are inaccurate and contradictOfsted reports. Chief executive Anthony Douglas said: "We only changewhat needs to be changed to improve performance."
- www.cypnow.co.uk/doc.
