§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many complaints have been(a) made and (b) upheld against reports produced by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service since the inception of the Service. [152348]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 30 January 2004]: As at 31 March 2003, CAFCASS had received 916 complaints since its inception in April 2001, representing less than 1 per cent. of the total number of cases handled. Of the complaints, 47 per cent. were not upheld and 31 per cent. were resolved or withdrawn. Five per cent. of complaints were upheld, with 9 per cent. partly upheld and 8 per cent. remaining under investigation as at 31 March 2003.
Figures for the period April 2003–March 2004 are currently being collected from CAFCASS' regions and will be published in their 2003–04 Annual Report; which is expected to be laid before Parliament before the summer recess.
If complainants complete CA FCASS's complaints process and still remain dissatisfied, they are able to raise the matter, through a sponsoring MP, with the Parliamentary Ombudsman, In 2002–03, four complaints were referred to the Ombudsman: in three, no evidence was found to support them. The Ombudsman made enquiries about the fourth 1718W complaint, but decided not to progress it any further. CAFCASS only has figures on complaints received by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in 2002–03.