Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service - Criticism of CAFCASS

Criticism of CAFCASS

The Service Users of Cafcass are using the service at a time when emotions are running high, and often amidst high levels of inter-parental acrimony. The circumstances in which service users' come to use the services Cafcass provide, is often because on or more parent / other adult cannot meet the best needs of the child. Whilst most service users find that the intervention by the agency helps them find a resolution in the interests of their child, some do not believe that the Social Work practitioners have a legitimate view on child welfare. CAFCASS has been criticised by fathers' rights groups who claim that it is failing in its duty to promote the welfare of children through unfairly denying children contact with non-resident parents. CAFCASS are also accused of taking an ideological position in favour of women, though CAFCASS practitioners are expected to use their professional judgement on what is best for each individual child, based on the facts of the case. They are also assisted when both parents in dispute make genuine efforts to seek a resolution between themselves for the children's benefit, which is undoubtedly in the best interests of the child.