From rocky beginnings, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service has come up trumps and handled some of the most high-profile child-related cases. Its legal head tells Helen Mooney what it’s like to work there
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service’s (Cafcass) start was a troubled one. Established in 2001, it was created by the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 with the idea of merging the 700 probation officers who handle family court welfare work, 810 guardians ad litem who represent children’s interests in child abuse and care cases, and the children’s branch of the Official Solicitor’s Department. These workers came from 113 groups with 57 sets of pay and conditions.
