5.6 Your volunteering and Cafcass

This module has explained what Cafcass is, the procedure where they become involved, what to expect of the reports they will write and their involvement in court hearings.

In this module you have learned about:

• What Cafcass is
• Cafcass initial involvement and the safeguarding letter
• What a section 7 report is
• Cafcass involvement at the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) and Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA).

When volunteering with clients who are involved with Cafcass, please remember:

• Cafcass are independent
• Cafcass’ priority is the welfare of the child(ren)
• Cafcass have no power to make directions, only recommendations to the court.
• Cafcass do not assess evidence or represent parents.

Support Through Court have a suite of training modules which you can complete so please do take a look at the other modules available. You can study these in any order. They include:

• Special measures [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
• Working with Cafcass
• Interviewing clients
• Writing statements
• Signposting clients to other organisations
• Working with vulnerable people

The domestic abuse modules are designed to be studied in order, from the first working to the third. These modules are:

1. Introducing domestic abuse
2. Supporting survivors of domestic abuse
3. Supporting clients who are accused of perpetrating domestic abuse