Children and young people - parental custody

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

CAFCASS looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings. It works with children and their families, and then advises the courts on what it considers to be in the children's best interests. CAFCASS only works in the family courts. Examples of matters that may be taken to family courts are:

• when parents who are separating or divorcing can't agree on arrangements for their children
• an adoption application
• when children are subject to an application for care or supervision proceedings by Social Services