Cafcass must remedy East Midlands problems

As the UK’s biggest employer of social workers, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service is a flagship for the profession.

If Cafcass fares well it helps the reputation of social work if it does not, the reverse is the case. Cafcass has polished its image in recent years, but a new Ofsted inspection report shows there is still a way to go before it shines as brightly as it should.

The inspectors were particularly concerned about private law cases, where some children caught up in messy divorce proceedings were inadequately safeguarded. Whether the problem is one of training or resources is arguable, but Cafcass needs to act quickly for the sake of itself and social work.

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