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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is given to CAFCASS as to whether a parent should be present when a child is interviewed during proceedings to decide how much contact each parent should have with the child. [193013] Margaret Hodge: The CAFCASS Service Principles and Standards state: "3.5 Except where the Practitioner is acting as a Reporting Officer, all children who are the subject of proceedings will normally be seen on one or more occasions by them." "3.6 The Practitioner will also take all reasonable steps to see adult parties to the proceedings and any other relevant children and adults unless directed otherwise by the Court." Thus, when the practitioner is acting in private law proceedings relating to contact between children and their parents following separation or divorce, CAFCASS expects that its practitioners will see all children who are involved in a case. CAFCASS practitioners have high level skills and experience and are relied upon to exercise their professional judgement in each case. It is important that CAFCASS practitioners tailor their approach to working with children and families, in accordance with the individual circumstances of each case. Parental presence, during an interview with a child will depend on the following factors: the circumstances specific to the case; the age and developmental stage of the child; and the practitioner's professional judgement. Rule 4.11 (1) of the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 requires the practitioner, among other things, to "have regard to the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned considered in the light of the child's age and understanding".

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c28-9W; 193013

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Access Children Contact orders Divorce Interviews Family courts Parents Separation

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk