§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what targets she has set for the Guardian ad Litem Service for answering mail from(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [30439]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Guardian ad Litem Service is now a part of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). The Lord Chancellor expects CAFCASS to give a timely response to mail from both hon. Members and members of the public.
CAFCASS is working to establish standard response times for procedures across the service. CAFCASS is also undertaking work to devise a unified complaints procedure for the Service. CAFCASS aims to meet my Department's target for replying to mail from hon. Members within 20 working days of receipt.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals she has for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Guardian ad Litem Service. [30480]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Lord Chancellor has tasked the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) with delivering improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of the guardian service.
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.