Guardians given pay boost

Self-employed court guardians are to be paid increased rates
from 1 January 2003 to help retain existing guardians and recruit
new workers.

The Children and Family Court Advisory Service (Cafcass) has
also announced new terms for employed guardians, which covers pay,
annual leave, travel and subsistence rates, from April 2003.

Self-employed guardians in London will receive £25.50 per
hour, an increase of £3 or 13 per cent. In the south east
outside of London the new hourly rate will be £23.50, up from
£20.

In the rest of England and Wales the new rate will rise from
£20 to £22.