New guardians recruited to fill shortfall

Cafcass has appointed around 100 guardians and family court
advisors across England and Wales over the past five months to
tackle staff shortages and meet increasing workloads.

The recruitment drive, needed after staffing levels were hit by
contract disputes and an inherited shortfall from pre-Cafcass
services, has now filled three quarters of guardian vacancies.

The service aims to recruit a total of 137 by the end of the
year – so far 90 new staff have been employed, with 11
further offers on the table. In addition, 11 self-employed
guardians have been recruited.

Cafcass has also appointed 28 new children and family reporters
since April, with a further 10 vacancies looking to be filled.

In July, Cafcass began employing 15 agency guardians to tackle
growing waiting lists, which in London alone had risen to 180
children.