§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the work and role of court reporting officers. [31288]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Lord Chancellor has tasked the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) with operational responsibility for the work and role of court reporting officers.
CAFCASS is developing a new, unified service bringing together: the family court welfare services previously provided by the probation service; the Children's Division of the Official Solicitor's Department; and local authority Guardian ad Litem and Reporting Officer services. The establishment of CAFCASS creates a new national body with a national voice to be an effective champion for children involved in family proceedings.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans she has to review the role and work of court reporting officers, with particular reference to the evaluation of the reports, complaints procedures and their ability to make recommendations. [31289]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Lord Chancellor has tasked the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) with operational responsibility for the work and role of court reporting officers.
255WCAFCASS has day to day responsibility for the services provided by all of its staff. There are currently no plans to review the role and work of court reporting officers. CAFCASS is undertaking work to devise National Standards and a complaints procedure. The effectiveness of such procedures will be monitored by their Inspectorate who will report their findings to me.