This Factsheet is about complaints relating to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in Wales (CAFCASS CYMRU). It should be read together with our general information available here.
CAFCASS CYMRU is an organisation within the Welsh Government, and works with children and families who are involved in family court cases. It is independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and similar agencies. It champions the interests of children involved in family proceedings, advising the family courts on what it considers to be in the best interests of individual children.
Its role is to:
If you are dissatisfied with the administrative way in which CAFCASS CYMRU deals with your case, then you can complain to the Ombudsman about that process.
He can:
He cannot:
You may wish to consider contacting the following organisations for advice:
CAFCASS CYMRU – https://gov.wales/cafcass-cymru
Children’s Commissioner for Wales, who may be able to act as an advocate for a child – https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/
Meic is an information, advice and support helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales – http://www.meiccymru.org.
The Ombudsman is independent and impartial; he cannot order public bodies to do what he recommends – but, in practice, they almost always do. Examples of cases that the Ombudsman has looked at can be found on our website. Please see www.ombudsman.wales
If you are unsure whether the Ombudsman would be able to look into your complaint, please contact us.
Also available in Welsh.