Monday 12 September 2005

CAFCASS BOARD PROTECTS BAD STAFF

Former CAFCASS Chair, Anthony Hewson OBE said that, in his opinion, CAFCASS's complaints procedure was designed to protect its staff from accountability, rather than to protect the consumer. Anthony resigned when his attempts to reform it were sabotaged.

The FAMILY X CASE, which EPC has been complaining to CAFCASS's Board about for years, demonstrates just how badly CAFCASS fails children and families. It shows that some people at the top of CAFCASS were not not fit to be in their jobs.

Finally CAFCASS has apologized for its failures in that case. But it has so far failed to hold anyone accountable. The fact is, CAFCASS's attitude in that case is typical. It was by no means a "one-off".

The new Chief Executive, Anthony Douglas, has indicated that he will reform the complaints procedure. EPC will be watching and hopes to be able to report positive progress.

Douglas has promised to come back to us soon on what CAFCASS intends to do about holding people accountable for their abject performance in the FAMILY X CASE.

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