CAFCASS is the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and is involved in public law cases involving local authority care proceedings and private law matters, such as where an application is made to the Family Court for a Child Arrangements Order. 

There was a 9.5% increase in private law cases referred to CAFCASS in October 2018 compared to October 2019. The CAFCASS worker undertakes initial checks against the parties to see whether they have any police convictions or whether the local authority has been involved with the family. They speak to the parties about their concerns and make recommendations to the court in an initial safeguarding letter.

The court may direct that CAFCASS prepares a Section 7 report if there are concerns about the child’s welfare. The CAFCASS officer will undertake a full investigation and obtain information about the family from the police, the child’s GP and their school, and the local authority if relevant. They will meet the parents and speak to the child about their views if they are old enough. The Section 7 report will be submitted to the court with recommendations and there will be a further hearing for the court to consider the report.

Our lawyers have offices based in Wolverhampton and Cradley Heath and provide assistance to clients across the West Midlands including: Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Birmingham, Dudley and Walsall.

If you would like any further information about family proceedings or applications for a Child Arrangements Order, George Green’s specialist Family Lawyers will be able to help. Call Mark Vandaele on 01902 796930 (mvandaele@georgegreen.co.uk) at our Wolverhampton office or Rachel Baker on 01384 340 580 (rbaker@georgegreen.co.uk) at our Cradley Heath office.