Comments on: CAFCASS Judicial Review http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cafcass-judicial-review a blog from the family bar Tue, 22 May 2012 17:04:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: familoo http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-649 familoo Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:20:44 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-649 Um, who IS Brian Hitchcock? Um, who IS Brian Hitchcock?

]]> By: paul andrews http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-648 paul andrews Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:52:29 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-648 just a question, exactly who is brian hitchcock is he who he claims to be ??? having researched him i find little evidence of his credentials just a question, exactly who is brian hitchcock is he who he claims to be ??? having researched him i find little evidence of his credentials

]]> By: familoo http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-647 familoo Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:57:49 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-647 Somehow I think you would be disappointed if social services took on the CAFCASS role in private law cases. They often either refuse to do the work or do it so superficially that it is no help at all (apologies to those poor social workers to whom this sweeping statement does not apply) - the reason being that they have far more urgent and serious child protection work to do that must be prioritised over welfare work. I don't think this usually benefits fathers - often the recommendation is for minimal but safe contact because that does not call for an ongoing role. They may have a quicker turnaround but certainly don't put in the resources that CAFCASS do (when they get going), particularly in supporting contact. Somehow I think you would be disappointed if social services took on the CAFCASS role in private law cases. They often either refuse to do the work or do it so superficially that it is no help at all (apologies to those poor social workers to whom this sweeping statement does not apply) – the reason being that they have far more urgent and serious child protection work to do that must be prioritised over welfare work. I don’t think this usually benefits fathers – often the recommendation is for minimal but safe contact because that does not call for an ongoing role. They may have a quicker turnaround but certainly don’t put in the resources that CAFCASS do (when they get going), particularly in supporting contact.

]]> By: Stuart Graham http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-646 Stuart Graham Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:13:30 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-646 I have been through the family court treadmill/grinder for the last six years. As such, I feel Brian Hitchcock's arguments are valid. I think his only mistake was in believing the creation of CAFCASS was appropriate at all. But if this monster was to be created, at least tie it to accountability and proper operating procedures. I feel these cases should be dealt with by the local services, who are accountable and have a vested interest in solving them quickly. Contracted social workers who get repeat work from protracted litigation do not have vested interest in wrapping things up quickly. The very existence of the service relies on their having work to do. CAFCASS do not have the resources to undertake these matters effectively. The local social services can escalate their provisions where thought necessary. The teams dealing with cases would be consistent and so a database of expertise in dealing with matters could quickly be generated. Local authorities could share their experiences. Children would be the overall beneficiaries. Most of the intransigent mothers who bar contact for no good reason would not do so if they were to be dealt with by their local social services who, i many cases, are already known to them. I have been through the family court treadmill/grinder for the last six years. As such, I feel Brian Hitchcock’s arguments are valid. I think his only mistake was in believing the creation of CAFCASS was appropriate at all. But if this monster was to be created, at least tie it to accountability and proper operating procedures.

I feel these cases should be dealt with by the local services, who are accountable and have a vested interest in solving them quickly. Contracted social workers who get repeat work from protracted litigation do not have vested interest in wrapping things up quickly. The very existence of the service relies on their having work to do. CAFCASS do not have the resources to undertake these matters effectively. The local social services can escalate their provisions where thought necessary. The teams dealing with cases would be consistent and so a database of expertise in dealing with matters could quickly be generated. Local authorities could share their experiences. Children would be the overall beneficiaries.

Most of the intransigent mothers who bar contact for no good reason would not do so if they were to be dealt with by their local social services who, i many cases, are already known to them.

]]> By: Fred Brand http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-645 Fred Brand Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:34:31 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-645 What a load of twaddle. If Mr Hitchcock is who he says he is then he should know that the contents of a Cafacss officers report and its author are the subject of rigid and often lengthy cross examiniation from all the parties. To make the contents of reports accountable under the complaints policy would in my humble opinion lead to an even greater increase in complaints being made, whic wold have a further knock on effect for scarce resources. Surely his members must indicate that in private law matters at least the parent who considered themselves to be more disadvantaged would in most cases make a complaint. The suggestion that a draft copy should be circulated an agreed by hge parties before filing with the Court is a nonsense. Cafcass often deals with dysfunctional families in crisis many of whom experience great difficulty in acknowledging the deficits in their parenting and the impact that this has had on the welfare of their child. In addition, many find it difficult if not imposible to work with social work departments etc. and even at times to mantain contact with their leagal advisers. To think that they could consider a draft copy of a report and agree it, I find farcical. Anyhow isn't this what the Issue Resolution Hearing is for? Finally he suggested improving the methodology, well he should be well pleased beacuse the workers are inundated with policy changes and changes to report templates all the tie. Often things are changed 2 or 3 times a month and leads to chaos and confusion. Alice in Wonderland is what he is. What a load of twaddle. If Mr Hitchcock is who he says he is then he should know that the contents of a Cafacss officers report and its author are the subject of rigid and often lengthy cross examiniation from all the parties.

To make the contents of reports accountable under the complaints policy would in my humble opinion lead to an even greater increase in complaints being made, whic wold have a further knock on effect for scarce resources.
Surely his members must indicate that in private law matters at least the parent who considered themselves to be more disadvantaged would in most cases make a complaint.
The suggestion that a draft copy should be circulated an agreed by hge parties before filing with the Court is a nonsense. Cafcass often deals with dysfunctional families in crisis many of whom experience great difficulty in acknowledging the deficits in their parenting and the impact that this has had on the welfare of their child. In addition, many find it difficult if not imposible to work with social work departments etc. and even at times to mantain contact with their leagal advisers.
To think that they could consider a draft copy of a report and agree it, I find farcical.
Anyhow isn’t this what the Issue Resolution Hearing is for?

Finally he suggested improving the methodology, well he should be well pleased beacuse the workers are inundated with policy changes and changes to report templates all the tie. Often things are changed 2 or 3 times a month and leads to chaos and confusion.
Alice in Wonderland is what he is.

]]> By: Brian Hitchcock http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-644 Brian Hitchcock Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:03:40 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-644 I was a key stakeholder in the consultation process that led to the creation of CAFCAS. I argued that 1) CAFCASS should make its officers accountable for the content of their reports under its complaints policy, 2) its officers should produce draft reports to be agreed with the parties to family law proceedings before presentation to the court, and 3) CAFCASS should improve the methodology of its reports. Brian Hitchcock Coordinator Family Law Society I was a key stakeholder in the consultation process that led to the creation of CAFCAS. I argued that 1) CAFCASS should make its officers accountable for the content of their reports under its complaints policy, 2) its officers should produce draft reports to be agreed with the parties to family law proceedings before presentation to the court, and 3) CAFCASS should improve the methodology of its reports.

Brian Hitchcock
Coordinator
Family Law Society

]]> By: familoo http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-643 familoo Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:53:19 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-643 See update on main post - this is not really what I understand this JR to be about (i.e. instances of poor standards on the part of individual social workers), nor is it the type of information they are presently seeking. See update on main post – this is not really what I understand this JR to be about (i.e. instances of poor standards on the part of individual social workers), nor is it the type of information they are presently seeking.

]]> By: Mrs http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-642 Mrs Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:21:33 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-642 Who are the solicitors running this JR? Got some measurable, fantastic complaints that are about to be put to the GSCC concerning an ISW who also works for Cafcass if anyone is interested? Who are the solicitors running this JR? Got some measurable, fantastic complaints that are about to be put to the GSCC concerning an ISW who also works for Cafcass if anyone is interested?

]]> By: only a dad http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-641 only a dad Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:39:03 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-641 http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed44167 http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed44167

]]> By: Guardians for kids « WALL – a social worker's blog http://pinktape.co.uk/cases/cafcass-judicial-review/#comment-640 Guardians for kids « WALL – a social worker's blog Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:12:10 +0000 http://pinktape.co.uk/?p=842#comment-640 [...] actually be identifiable individuals with names. Elsewhere some solicitors somewhere are intending judicially reviewing Cafcass over their failures to provide children with guardians (with or witout names) when they [...] [...] actually be identifiable individuals with names. Elsewhere some solicitors somewhere are intending judicially reviewing Cafcass over their failures to provide children with guardians (with or witout names) when they [...]

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