The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) has published it strategic plan for the next three years building on its stated commitment that children should be able to say they have experienced an exceptional service, wherever they are in the country and every time they engage with someone in the organisation.
“Sustaining ambition for children: working together, building resilience, inspiring change“, outlines how the organisation will deliver its service through its Practice, People, and Partners pillars, supported by nine priority programmes. Cafcass say key indicators of success include user feedback on regular engagement; safe and comfortable meeting environments; qualified and trained staff; matters progressing at the right pace; and collaboration between local authorities and the courts
Welcoming the rolling out of Child Focused Courts, previously Pathfinder courts, Cafcass has added the initiative as another area of key focus for the organisation: “This shared system ambition, represents a significant opportunity to improve experiences for children and families in private law proceedings, particularly those who are victims of domestic abuse. Success for this ambition, requires system leadership that is relentless about effective practice and a culture that is led by what children need in safe families and communities” said Cafcass in its strategic plan.
Speaking about the new Strategic Plan, Cafcass Chief Executive, Jacky Tiotto, said: “We remain determined that children’s voices in arrangements that are made about them in connection with their families and carers are the loudest. We want their experiences and their feedback to have the most influence. Our key responsibility is to protect them from harm and the risk of future harm during family proceedings and to give advice to the family court that promotes their welfare and secures their best interests. Sustaining ambition is the way in which we will do all these things and do them well. Our strategy is being published as we celebrate our 25th year – we will give the best of ourselves to children, to their families and carers, and to our colleagues in order to secure the next twenty five!”
Baroness Levitt said: “Cafcass plays a vital role in the family justice system, safeguarding children and helping families navigate the Family Courts. This strategy sets out a clear and ambitious direction for the next three years, one that reflects the dedication of everyone at Cafcass to improving the lives of children and families at some of the most difficult moments they will face”.
Cafcass’ Deputy Board Chair, Professor Eileen Munro said: “Children and young people meet Cafcass at a turbulent time in their lives. Family Court Advisers and Children’s Guardians have the task of ascertaining the child or young person’s wishes and feelings and making a recommendation to the court that is deemed to be in their best interests. Such work is difficult and challenging but of such importance that Cafcass is always striving to improve the quality of the help they offer. The last strategic plan led to progress and this one continues that ambition, identifying where and how further improvements will be sought in building relationships with children and young people, so that they feel able to communicate their views, and in helping colleagues reach recommendations that take account of the mix of strengths and difficulties, and the unknown in the options available”.
You can read the full strategic plan, ‘Sustaining ambition for children: working together, building resilience, inspiring change’, on our website. This is supported by a shorter version of the plan.
