§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service will demonstrate its ability to comply with health and safety legislation after its inauguration on 1 April. [156998]
§ Jane KennedyThe Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) is devising a health and safety policy. In the interim, CAFCASS has adopted the inherited health and safety policies and procedures.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the regional managers for England and Wales will be appointed to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. [156997]
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§ Jane KennedyAll area manager appointments to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) structure have been made and six of the 10 are now in post. Interim arrangements for the remaining four areas are in place with acting area managers in post.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service will be represented on area child protection committees. [156999]
§ Jane KennedyThe Department of Health will be issuing a letter to the Chairs of Area Child Protection Committees requiring the inclusion of CAFCASS in the core membership of Area Child Protection Committees. CAFCASS will ask the National Assembly for Wales to make a similar requirement.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how local child protection procedures will cover Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service employees. [157000]
§ Jane KennedyAll Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) staff will be expected to work to local area child protection procedures, as did the predecessor agencies. Core membership of Area Child Protection Committees will reinforce this requirement.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when formal employer and trade union negotiating structures will be in place(a) nationally and (b) locally for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. [157001]
§ Jane KennedyThe Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) recognises the value to the service of a good working relationship with trade unions. CAFCASS, which was established on 1 April 2001, met with trade union representatives on 4 April 2001. CAFCASS wants to develop a robust consultation and negotiating mechanism as quickly as possible.