Napo’s Family Court Section is engaging regularly with senior CAFCASS management on a range of issues including health and safety, excessive and dangerous workloads and the need for more resources from Government. Unions and the employer will also hold a Partnership meeting next week where the Chief Executive will be asked to report on progress following her appearance before the Justice Committee session last Month as well as the emerging conclusions from the current OFSTED inspection.
Meanwhile, the Cafcass unions have been discussing the options available to our members in the absence of tangible plans to stem the current workload crisis. As members would expect, we will do all that we can to work constructively with senior management to try and develop solutions, but Napo is strongly opposed to the concept that holding 25 cases is a ‘new normal’ for practitioners. We want to avoid entering into dispute but increasing numbers of reports demonstrate that the position for many staff has become untenable.
FCS members should look out for further news from your section executive members but meanwhile please contact ntaylor-ebong@napo.org.uk