Minister has regrets over court service

The minister responsible for the Children and Family Court Advisory
and Support Service has said that the government rushed into
setting up the organisation.

Rosie Winterton told the select committee on the Lord Chancellor’s
Department that she had “some regret” that more time was not given
to joining the probation and child welfare services when Cafcass
was created.

However, she denied earlier suggestions that work carried out by a
£9m strategy group to smooth the transition process had been
“lost”.

She admitted Cafcass had faced a “difficult first year”, adding
that she had been forced to meet with the agency’s chief executive
and chairperson every three weeks to ensure action was being taken
on delays in allocating children’s guardians.

The select committee is to deliver its final report in late summer.