Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 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 staff skilled in mediation are employed by CAFCASS.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff skilled in mediation are employed by CAFCASS. [198345] Margaret Hodge: CAFCASS does not collect information that identifies which of its practitioners are skilled in mediation. However, CAFCASS practitioners are skilled and qualified social workers, and many of them will have undertaken further training in dispute resolution and conflict resolution. CAFCASS is aware that some of its practitioners will have undertaken specific training in order to become accredited mediators. In addition, CAFCASS refers families who might benefit from mediation services to an accredited mediation scheme. CAFCASS practitioners also receive appropriate training to enable them to undertake dispute resolution work. Dispute resolution is one of the training modules that CAFCASS has commissioned for its practitioners from Royal Holloway College.

Secondary information