Cafcass Delivery Partner

Description

The services relate to the Department's aim to procure a delivery partner for a pilot aimed at reducing delays in public law proceedings in the family court. The pilot will specifically introduce a pre-Case Management Hearing (CMH) meeting between the Cafcass Guardian (CG) and Local Authority social worker to facilitate mutual understanding about the case, to ensure a smoother process through court. This is an information-sharing meeting, taking place after the issuing of care proceedings, but prior to the first Case Management Hearing. This will allow the Cafcass Guardian to gain a better understanding of the case and be better informed on the social work analysis of the timing of the application and reason for type of Order applied for. We would expect, for example, that that this increased clarity may reduce uncertainty that leads to requests for new expert assessments at the case management hearing, and facilitate a more effective process through court.