Cafcass and union agree to talks in bid to head off industrial action

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) and union NAPO have agreed to hold talks in the face of industrial action over excessive caseloads.

Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary of NAPO, said the two bodies have agreed to talk about the crisis but have not “yet agreed to agree.”

Fletcher warned: “If workload issues are not resolved imminently, Napo will move to a ballot for industrial action. The threat will not be withdrawn unless the current practices stop.”

In a bid to address the current crisis, Cafcass chief executive Anthony Douglas recently announced just over £2.5 million in extra funding, £1.6 million of which would be allocated to addressing the rise in caseloads.

But the union has pointed out that this funding is coming out of next year’s budget, potentially resulting in a deficit post-April 2010.

“It is going to be difficult to see how the two side will agree as Cafcass do not have the funds to take on more staff and are not prepared to allocate fewer cases,” he said.

Fletcher nevertheless insisted that NAPO will be going into the talks “with an open mind."

See also:

Local authorities too quick to bring care proceedings says NAPO leader