CAFCASS Section

Setting the record straight

No truth in the suggestion that Napo have instructed their members to refuse work.

]]> Ian Lawrence Napo Assistant General Secretary with responsibility for the Cafcass Section, has written in response to an all staff letter issued by Anthony Douglas last week.

Ian has sought to clarify the union's position in respect of a suggestion by the Cafcass Chief Excutive that the unions have advised its members 'that it is possible for them to refuse to take on a case if a caseload goes above a specified number.'

Napo has made it clear that for some time it has been expecting a joint approach on how best to handle workloads and because of the increasing pressures on its members, has reiterated the advice which formed part of the guidelines accompanying the 2004 Workloads Policy.

Commenting on the situation, Ian Lawrence said that 'while he regretted the fact that the Chief Executive had not called him directly to establish what Napo's position is', he was hopeful that this matter could be ironed out soon by way of a meeting between the Chief Executive and the Cafcass Unions.

Ian went on to say that 'I am pleased that some of the problems that Napo have consistently been raising have at least been acknowledged by Anthony Douglas, and we all need to get a clear steer on how best to deal with these in a constructive way that brings confidence to the judiciary and our members alike.'

New Contracts issued to Cafcass staff

Cafcass staff are now receiving new contracts as previously advised under the terms of the SPR 2008-11 pay settlement.

]]> Ian Lawrence, Napo Assistant General Secretary has confirmed that following extensive negotiations between the employer, PCS, Unison and Napo, all three unions have approved the new Cafcass contracts so that members can now sign them.

It has been agreed with Cafcass HR that if there are inaccuracies in the personal details such as leave entitlement and/or continuity of service these should be raised directly with HR by filling out the form that should have accompanied the contract with the correct details. These should be returned to your local HR "Business Partner" (as the local advisors are now called).

The legacy leave entitlement (mainly for staff who TUPE'd in from the Probation Service) that was incorporated into the 2003 Harmonisation Agreement is still honoured under the 2008 SPR Settlement. Therefore, if you believe that you are entitled to more leave or continuous service than is set out in your new contract,you should take the steps described above

If there are any other problems with the contracts which you cannot sort out directly with HR, please consult your Napo Convenor.

Tony Mercer
Napo Cafcass Section Chair

Members accept SPR 2008-2011 offer

Napo members in CAFCASS have today signalled their acceptance of the pay offer - effective from 01.04.08 through to 2011

]]> After a protracted series of negotiations lasting the best part of 2008, Napo members in the Family Court Service today ratified the Strategic Pay Review offer following a series of members' meetings across the network.

236 members voted for the offer with 45 against.

Napo's Assistant General Secretary Ian Lawrence, said that: 'despite the conclusive vote in favour, the result masks considerable anger amongst members over the delay in the negotiations, the original stance taken by the employer and an offer which, while producing respectable sums of money in subsequent years, represents a poor return in 2008 in the face of current inflation.'

The employer has been advised of the result and Napo await confirmation of when CAFCASS anticipate paying out the settlement including backpay from 1st April.

More news on CAFCASS developments to follow.

Coming soon - a new updated CAFCASS site

CAFCASS members will be pleased to hear that we will be updating this site shortly, look out for more details as well as links to the CAFCASS AGM which took place in Llandudno last weekend.

Successful Conclusion in CAFCASS Pay Talks 2007-2008

Prolonged pay negotiations were finally brought to a successful conclusion in November. For details of the formal offer see Jane Booth's letter.

The joint union letter detailing the terms of the offer was sent to all union members followed by a ballot. Napo members overwhelmingly endorsed the offer with 240 for and 7 against. Details of the regional breakdown in voting are given in the attached file.

Pay Scales for 2007-2008 for all grades can be downloaded here.
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Annual Pay Claim

In March, the Trade unions verbally put the annual pay claim to the Partnership Committee. The claim has been kept deliberately simple given the work that is currently underway in relation to the Strategic Pay Review and we will be pushing for an early outcome. The formal claim has now been submitted and is attached here.
Download file

Latest Parliamentary Questions

Members of the Family Court Unions Parliamentary Group have been putting down a number of parliamentary questions in recent weeks on our behalf. You can read both the questions and answers here: Download file

EDM- CAFCASS budget

Thanks to all of you who have written to your MPs about the Early Day Motion on the CAFCASS budget - 70 MPs have now signed up.

If you haven't already written to your MP its not too late.....

Who is who in the Cafcass Section

For most enquiries that members need to make, your first port of call is to your Regional Convenors. Attached is a list of the convenors and also the members of our Negotiating Committee.
Download file

CAFCASS WEBSITE RELAUNCH

Whether you are visiting this part of the site for the first time, or you are returning, you will not fail to note that it has been somewhat inactive! Over the coming weeks that should change as I will be posting entries and documents specifically relevant to the CAFCASS section.

Initially I'm afraid it won't be possible for members to post on the site, but we will be reviewing this in the coming months. If you have strong feelings about this, you can of course e-mail me in the normal manner.
Sian Griffiths Napo Vice Chair - CAFCASS

Organising for Quality - Napo Responds

Napo's Vice Chair, Sian Griffiths, responded today to Cafcass strategic proposals for restructuring the service. Read her detailed analysis of the O4Q proposals here. Download file

Responding to National Childrens Rights Policy

Napo produced a considered response to the National Children's Rights Policy and Strategy which is available to be read Download file
online.

Presentation by Anthony Douglas to Napo AGM

Anthony Douglas, Chief Executive of CAFCASS, addressed AGM and gave a presentation to CAFCASS members of Napo. Download file

CAFCASS Budget

Sian Griffiths, Napo Vice-Chair, wrote to Anthony Douglas about the CAFCASS budget. Read his response here Download file

Family Courts - Napo's Press Release

Here is Napo's Press Release on today's Report by the House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee on Family Courts.

For immediate release

Wednesday, 2 March 2005

PRESS STATEMENT

Family Justice and Family Courts

Commenting on today�s report, published by the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary of Napo, the Family Court Union, said:

�The finding that there is no systemic bias against fathers in court proceedings is most welcome. Research shows that only 0.8% of fathers are actually refused contact. Family disputes only get to Court where all other procedures have failed. The recommendation therefore for greater emphasis on mediation is surprising.�

He added:

�Any steps to reduce delay would be very positive. Opening up the courts to greater public and media attention will improve confidence providing that the rights of children are always protected.�

ends

For further information Harry Fletcher, Napo, 020 7223 4887 - mobile 07860 540 145

www.napo.org.uk

Kath Falcon
Administrator Campaigns and Media
Napo, 4 Chivalry Road, SW11 1HT
Tel. 020 7223 4887
Fax. O20 7223 3503