§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date CAFCASS will open; and when(a) a training manual and (b) introductory booklets and leaflets will be made available. [144853]
§ Jane KennedyCAFCASS will begin operation on 1 April 2001. The continued training and development of staff will be a priority for the new service and CAFCASS will have a training strategy. There are no plans to produce a prescriptive training manual as the service involves complex judgments which require flexible approaches in each case. Instead, there will be available a wide range of guidance from 1 April. This guidance is based on the work which has been carried out as part of the CAFCASS development programme and includes that developed jointly with key stakeholders. CAFCASS plans to publish a number of leaflets covering general introductory issues and specific subjects such as mediation and complaints procedures. There will also be leaflets aimed specifically at children. These will be available from each CAFCASS office from 1 April 2001.