Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 7 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2003. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many cases which are the responsibility of CAFCASS remain unallocated; how many of these are considered to be at high risk; and how many are in the Greater London area. - Inc figures.

Answer: Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases which are the responsibility of CAFCASS remain unallocated; how many of these are considered to be at high risk; and how many are in the Greater London area. [124919] Margaret Hodge: Of 12,077 public law cases being dealt with by CAFCASS in May 2003, 511 cases were unallocated1. Of the 8,398 private law cases being dealt with in May 2003, 399 cases were unallocated2. 263 of these unallocated cases were in Greater London. Cases where there is an identified risk to children are given priority by the service, but data is not collected on the number of high risk cases it is involved in. Under the Children Act 1989, an Emergency Protection Order can be granted by a court, to safeguard children likely to suffer significant harm. These orders are granted within 24 hours of an application to the court. 1 Unallocated seven days after a request from Court is received by CAFCASS. 2 Unallocated less than 10 weeks before a CAFCASS report is filed at Court.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 124919; 409 c719-20W;409 c720W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Children CAFCASS Administrative delays Greater London Family courts Protection Standards
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk