CAFCASS is a joint service which started in April 2001. This combined the Guardian ad Litems, Court Welfare Officers and Children's Branch of the Official Solicitors Department into one service. CAFCASS officers are independent of any local authority involved in the proceedings before the court. In the course of their investigations, they are expected to interview anyone who knows the family well and critically appraise work undertaken with the child. If in the course of their enquiries they become aware of concerns about the child that have not previously been reported, they should refer to their agency procedures - see link below.
CAFCASS officers have the right at all reasonable times to examine and take copies of any part of the Social Services or other local authority files that relate to the application before the court. They are under a duty during the period of their involvement to safeguard the interests of the child. As such they need to be informed of changes in the child's circumstances. The CAFCASS officer should therefore be invited to attend reviews and child protection conferences as an observer. They can intervene at such meetings if they believe that to do so is necessary in order to safeguard the interests of the child
CAFCASS Child Protection Policy.
CAFCASS Child Protection Procedures.
CAFCASS Record of Referral to Social Services.