Written question asked by Eric Illsley (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 May 2009. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Family Courts: Advisory Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken for the compilation of reports by the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service in Barnsley.

Answer: Where courts in Barnsley have requested a CAFCASS report they have been completed, on average, within seventeen weeks in 2008-09. CAFCASS have agreed with the courts in Barnsley to reduce the time taken to deal with these requests to 12 weeks from the 1 April 2009.CAFCASS are looking to achieve this reduction by working closely with the judiciary in the area to implement their service improvement plan. The plan focuses on a sustained systematic approach of restructuring the way in which they deliver services in South Yorkshire.

Secondary information