Quarter Three Care Statistics Released
Cafcass, the organisation that represents children's
interests in the family courts, today releases the figures for care
applications received during the period October to December
2009.
Compared to quarter 3 last year (2008-9), care
demand is up 20.9% (378 cases). This suggests that the rate
of increase is stabilizing at the new higher level following the
publicity surrounding the court case into the death of Baby Peter
in November 2008. However, November 2009 saw 753 care
applications – this was the third highest monthly figure since
Cafcass records began in 2005.
Care demand in the nine months April to December
2009 is 46.1% higher than the same period in 2008, 37.6% higher
than the same period in 2007, 25.9% higher than the same period in
2006 and 31.2% higher than the same period in 2005.
Anthony Douglas, CBE, Cafcass’ Chief Executive
commented, "It is now universally acknowledged that the record
increases in care demand have placed massive pressure on all
agencies working in the child protection system. Initially we
struggled to manage this sudden rise in our total caseload but, as
a result of the Presidents Interim Guidance and our revised
Operating Priorities, we have managed to reduce our unallocated
care case numbers from 986 cases at the end of August to 497 cases
as at 11th January 2010. We have achieved this through
sheer hard work and, in a number of areas, new duty advice
schemes.”
New Research
In order to find out what sort of cases were being submitted to
court as part of this rise in applications Cafcass has conducted a
small scale study. This project focused on care
applications made in the three weeks after 11th November
2008, following the initial publicity surrounding the trial of
those responsible for Baby Peter’s death. The research found that
in the vast majority (98%) of cases referred to in survey
responses, Cafcass staff believed that the cases allocated to them
were either appropriately timed, or should have been brought to
court by the local authority earlier than they were. The study
concluded that although the increase in care applications could be
attributed to the ‘Baby Peter effect’, local authorities had taken
the appropriate action in making these applications.
Click
here for the full press release
Click
here to view the statistics graph
Click here for
the Summary research report
Click
here for Full research report.
Previously released statistics:
Click
here for Q2 statistics that covers the period
from July - August 2009 - 2010
Click
here for Q1 statistics that covers the period from
April to June 2009 - 2010
Click here for comment on the topic
from November 2008.
For more information or an interview with Chief Executive
Anthony Douglas CBE please contact Head of Communications, Takki
Sulaiman on 07778 419218.