The Children and Family Court Advisory Service (CAFCASS) has overcome an initial period of 'turbulence and distraction' to become more focused on its objectives, but it still needs to do more to put its house in order, a report has suggested.

The analysis of CAFCASS's performance in 2003, by MCSI Inspection of Court Services, said it had been a 'difficult and complex year' for the body, owing to factors including the resignation of its board and the transfer of responsibility for the service to the Department for Education and Skills.

However, it said progress had been made, including the harmonisation of staff conditions and pay, more strategic planning at regional level, improvements in CAFCASS court reports and better staff training.

The report said CAFCASS still needed to pull its socks up when it came to addressing causes of delay in allocating cases to guardians, providing more guidance for front-line staff, and responding to complaints in a constructive way.

It also recommended increased devolved powers to the CAFCASS regions, combined with more effective regional management structures.

Solicitors Family Law Association chairwoman Kim Beatson said it was pleased that the standard of CAFCASS reports had improved but added that it was still concerned about hold-ups in the allocation of cases.

'This delay can impact on the interests of the children CAFCASS is there to serve,' she warned.

'Often, early decisions are made in court about a child's future before the child has an allocated guardian to safeguard his or her welfare.

Addressing this must be a priority.'

CAFCASS chief executive Jonathan Tross said: 'We welcome this latest MCSI report, which highlights the progress that has been made in CAFCASS's third year in building capacity in the service and developing policies.'

Paula Rohan