Children in Care Family Courts 2024-03-26
2024-03-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Data from Cafcass shows children removed from their parents by the state wait an average of 46 weeks for a final decision on where they will live. This delay can have significant mental health impacts and affect access to support services.
Children who have been removed from their parents are waiting an average of 46 weeks to get a final decision, which is heartbreaking. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of extended family proceedings on the mental health of children involved and their ability to access support and child and adolescent mental health services?
The hon. Lady raises a serious point about the impact on the child and wider family. We have invested in capacity with more money for Cafcass, judges and recorders, and more sitting days to ensure hearings are effective. The public law outline sets maximum number of hearings and time limits to ensure proceedings are heard on time.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific assessment of the impact on mental health or access to support services
We Have Invested In Capacity
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Children removed from their parents face an average wait of 46 weeks for a final decision. In 13 out of 42 designated family judge areas, the wait exceeds twice the statutory target of 26 weeks.
The Government are still far from solving the crisis in family courts with waits exceeding statutory targets and new cases increasing faster than disposals. Do the Government have any concern or compassion for vulnerable children being let down by these delays?
This Government are spending more money to attract more judges and recorders, maximise sitting days, invest in public law outline and private family law mediation. An additional £55 million was announced in the Budget to address productivity and backlogs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly answer whether the Government has concern or compassion for vulnerable children facing delays
We Are Spending More Money
Every Lever Is Being Pulled
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Children removed from their parents face an average wait of 46 weeks for a final decision. In 13 out of 42 designated family judge areas, the wait exceeds twice the statutory target of 26 weeks.
Despite the response given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Tonia Antoniazzi), the Government are still far from solving the crisis in family courts with waits exceeding statutory targets and new cases increasing faster than disposals. Do the Government have any concern or compassion for some of the most vulnerable children who are being let down?
This Government are spending more money to attract more judges and recorders, maximise sitting days, invest in public law outline and private family law as well as mediation. An additional £55 million was announced in the Budget to address productivity and backlogs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly answer whether the Government has concern or compassion for vulnerable children facing delays
We Are Spending More Money
Every Lever Is Being Pulled
Response accuracy