Funds pledged for guardian training

The government has promised to adequately resource Cafcass to deliver mandatory risk assessments when child protection concerns are raised in contact cases.

This week it accepted an amendment to the Children and Adoption Bill that Cafcass officers must provide courts with an assessment if they believe children could be at risk.

And, following concerns raised by peers about training for risk assessments, education minister Lord Adonis said the government would “provide the resources necessary”.

A Conservative amendment calling for a presumption of co-parenting in private law cases was defeated after Labour and Lib Dem peers argued it would breach the principle that the child’s welfare is paramount.