The welfare of children has been brought closer to the family court system now that key safeguarding organisation the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service Cafcass has joined the Ministry of Justice.

Cafcass looks after the interests of children involved in family court cases and helps over 145,000 children and young people who are involved in divorce or separation and care or adoption cases every year. Cafcass makes sure children’s welfare is put first during court proceedings.

Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes said:

“We are reforming the family justice system to make sure welfare of children is at its heart and I am delighted to welcome Cafcass as the newest full member of our Ministry of Justice family.

“The work Cafcass does in supporting vulnerable children and making sure their voice is heard in court proceedings is essential. With Cafcass from now on at the heart of government work on family and children issues in the Ministry of Justice, I believe we can and will improve the work done by our courts to give children and all responsible for them the best possible service.”

The transfer follows the Family Justice Review’s recommendation in 2011 that Cafcass join the Ministry of Justice to ‘bring court social work functions closer to the court process’.

On 22nd April the new single Family Court become a reality and many of the family justice provisions in the Children and Families Act 2014 will also be implemented.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0.

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