CYP Now - Family law: Cafcass policy could undermine independence, guardians claim

Children's guardians fear a joint policy agreed by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and social services chiefs could undermine their efforts to act independently in children's interests in family law cases.

Alison Paddle, chair of guardians' organisation Nagalro, said that the "tone and language" of the policy, agreed by Cafcass and the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS), was "inappropriate".

Practitioners would be given the message that Cafcass had "reached an agreement in situations where it needs to maintain its independence", she added.

But Cafcass chief executive Anthony Douglas said he did not think the agreement would compromise practitioners, and pledged to "look again" at the language used and talk to Nagalro about its concerns.

He said: "I don't think they would be compromised by a broad agreement. There is some terrific best practice where local authorities and Cafcass work effectively together.

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