Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

HC Deb 29 April 2004 vol 420 cc1254-5W

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the closing date was for applications for new board members for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; [169022]

(2) what criteria his Department used in determining appointments to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service board; [169023]

(3) how many people applied for positions on the board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; [169024]

(4) whether applications for the board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service were considered which had been received after the official closing date. [169025]

Margaret Hodge

The published closing date for applications to the new board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) was 28 January 2004. After 28 January the exercise was extended, to widen the range of skills and experience offered by candidates, and four further applications were considered. A total of 336 applications for the positions were received. The published criteria for new board members were as followsSuccessful candidates will have demonstrated skills and experience in one or more of the following: Experience of working at a senior level in, or close to, the family justice system or social services for children. National level experience of children's charities or responsible organisations representing families and parents or mediation services. A background in research relevant to CAFCASS customers and the operation of family law. Experience of a top level executive position in a large organisation, public or private sector, delivering high quality services to the public. Experience of being a non-executive board member or director in an NDPB, company or charity. Senior experience in financial management, not necessarily as a professionally qualified person, with expertise in budgeting, resource management and audit. Board expertise in information technology. In addition, candidates will demonstrate commitment to customer care and valuing diversity. They will have integrity and be able to work well as a member of a team.