Family Law

A recent unannounced Ofsted post inspection monitoring visit to Cafcass' London offices has found that the service is making satisfactory progress.

Inspectors found that Cafcass had made ‘good' progress in two areas including improving their liaison with the judiciary so that their work on cases is proportionate, and in ensuring that children and families are kept informed of the recommendations it makes and the outcomes of court decisions.

Cafcass also made satisfactory progress in a further eight areas with inspectors finding that its early intervention teams are helping us to meet demand and provide timely safeguarding information to the courts.

However, the Ofsted report found that Cafcass had performed inadequately on the equality and diversity needs of the children and families and in ensuring that the impact of family disruption is considered fully against all the Every Child Matters outcomes for children.

Commenting on the report's findings, Anthony Douglas, Chief Executive said: "I am pleased that we have made such important progress. The sheer size of London and the numbers of children in need have long made it one of most challenging areas for childcare professionals to work. Despite this, it is clear we are providing a child-focused service with Ofsted reporting that our practitioners are consistently ascertaining the wishes and feelings of the children we work with and appropriately assessing risk."

The report follows Cafcass' services in North and South of Tyne being rated 'good' by an Ofsted inspection report earlier this month.