Industry News: Guardians Surveyed on Care Applications

The Children and Families Court Advisory and Support and Service (Cafcass) has published its third survey of Guardians’ views regarding care applications made by local authorities. The first two studies were published in 2009 and 2012 in the context of rising numbers of care applications. Key findings include:

·         In 84% of cases, guardians say that the local authorities did not have a more appropriate course of action to follow other than issuing proceedings.

·         Guardians considered that the timing of the application was appropriate in 54% of cases, late in 39% of cases, and premature in 5% of cases.

·         18% of children had not been known to the local authority prior to the application being made.

·         52% of children were subject to a child protection plan at the times of the application and a further 20% had previously been subject to a plan, with neglect remaining the principal category of concern for children for these children.

·         Guardians considered that the local authority had entirely met the requirements of the Public Law Outline in 43% of cases and had partially met them in another 40% of cases.

Read more at: http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/media/217447/three_weeks_in_november_five_years_on.pdf