CAFCASS claims success in 60% of private law interventions
CAFCASS has published its annual report into activities with the claim that 60% of all interventions in private law cases now result in full or partial agreement. This is said to be the result of more time being spent on dispute resolution rather than report writing with 33% more hours devoted to such activities than in the previous year.
The report also measures progress on a series of key performance indicators and targets including
1) By March 2007, 70% of allocations during the month for Section 31 (care and supervision) cases should be within two days from receipt of request. The actual figure was only 55.4%.
2) At least 98% of all public law allocations each month for all case types should be within 28 days of receipt of request. The actual figure was 93.7%
3) No more than 3% of the public law workload should remain unallocated at month end. This target was met.
4) The percentage of dispute resolutions (including Extended Dispute Resolutions) resulting in full or partial agreement. The target is to achieve between 55% to 65%; the actual was 59.4%.
Announcing the report, Anthony Douglass, the Chief Executive, was upbeat about progress within the organisation
"2006-07 has been a year of important developments across many areas of our work. One of the most striking developments, in a year of continuing progress, has been the
success of our dispute resolution interventions. Whether it be the North East Children's Conciliation Service in Newcastle or Family Group Conferencing in London we are committed to reducing family conflict to provide better outcomes for children."
The full report can be accessed on the CAFCASS website by using this link - http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/English/Publications/reports/AnnualReport0607.pdf
22 July 2007