Cafcass receives ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted

Cafcass was assessed across three areas: the quality and effectiveness of both its private and public law practice, and the impact of leaders on its practice. It was judged outstanding in all three areas. 

Ofsted described this as a “significant improvement” on its previous inspection, praising the “high-quality advice being provided to the family court that is in the best interests of children”.

• Analysis: Cafcass sets out plans to address delays in family court system

• Legal update: Tackling family court delays

The last full inspection, in 2018, rated the quality and effectiveness of Cafcass’ private and public law practice as “good”.

In the latest report, inspectors said the family court body had an “unstinting focus on children’s safety, ensuring that their voices are not just heard, but understood”.

The report added, amid “unprecedented demand”, that senior leaders are highly effective at “challenging delays for children with agencies and across the family justice system, and prioritising work safely across the 19 service areas in children’s best interests”.

It praised Cafcass for its “strong and effective” child engagement, and for placing children “at the centre of decision-making”.

It singled out the “skill, respect and appropriate rigor” of family court advisers (FCAs) and said children’s guardians had a “tangible and positive impact on children’s lives”.

The report said that, since the previous inspection, a new “relationship-based model of practice” had resulted in a “palpable cultural change across the workforce” and been “instrumental in promoting practice that is kind, sensitive and respectful”.

Cafcass chief executive Jacky Tiotto said: “One of the most important things inspectors reported was that they saw evidence of family court advisers and children’s guardians giving critical and enduring advice to the family court, that centres on children’s safety, welfare and best interests.

“They saw complex information being carefully and sensitively balanced to try and secure the right arrangements for families and their children.”

The inspection took place between January 22 and February 16. It looked at case records of more than 600 children, while inspectors spoke with 300 practitioners and managers, and partners including judges, local authorities and government officials. They observed court work and interviews with children and families.

One area that was noted as needing improvement was the quality of final letters to independent reviewing officers (IROs) from children’s guardians at the end of public law proceedings, “to ensure continuity of challenge to the local authority’s future planning for children”.

Chair of the Cafcass board, Sally Cheshire said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has seen and recognised the tangible and consistent improvements we have made to enhance the quality of our service since the last inspection in 2018. It is a real privilege to have been able to influence and support that improvement and I would like to recognise the huge effort and commitment of all our staff.”