How Cafcass can help you
Find out more about our work and role within the family justice system in England.
About us
We represent the interests of children and young people in the family court. We independently advise the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests. We focus on their needs, wishes and feelings, making sure that children’s voices are heard and are at the heart of the family court’s thinking and decision making. For every child, whose current and future living arrangements are decided by the courts, we seek to provide an exceptional experience, everywhere, and every time. In this section of our website, you can find out more about us and the work we do.
What we do
We were established by section 11 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (the Act) and operate in accordance with the law set by Parliament and under the rules and directions of the family courts. Our principal functions, as set out in section 12 of the Act, relate to family proceedings where the welfare of children who are subject to family proceedings is or may be in question, are to:
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of children;
- Give advice to the family courts;
- Make provision for children to be represented; and
- Provide information, advice and support to children and their families.
Feedback from a mother involved in public law proceedings
"I found the guardian very straight to the point -at first I wasn't sure but then realised this approach was good, as sometimes I don't always pick up on little hints. He was really good with my child and she took to him, they are obviously a really nice person, my child loved seeing him."