CAFCASS stands for Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service.
This website will give you answers to some questions you might have about what happens when the courts and official bodies become involved in solving family problems. If your family is splitting up; if you are going to be living apart from your family; or if you are about to join a new one, you will find advice here.
The main types of cases in which the courts ask Cafcass to help are when:
- parents or carers are separating or divorcing and have not reached agreement about arrangements for their children
- social services have become involved and children may be removed from their parents' care for their safety
- children could be adopted.
The role of Cafcass is to:
- safeguard and promote the welfare of children
- give advice to the family courts
- make provision for children to be represented
- provide information, advice and support to children and their families.