Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Not Addressed
Committee took evidence on improving family court services for children.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Department for Education (DfE), HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) on improving family court services for children.1
Government Response Summary
The government's response outlines plans for improving timeliness in family justice, developing a cross-system strategy by April 2026, and reviewing performance indicators, but this does not address the content of the committee's introductory conclusion.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. system partners through the Family Justice Board, have already set clear targets for successfully improving timeliness for the last two financial years. Work is ongoing to develop and agree revised targets for further improving timeliness at a national and local level which will be shared with partners and published before the start of the next financial year. In response to the recommendation in the National Audit Office (NAO) report, the two departments are now developing a cross-system family justice strategy that will set out a clear and ambitious vision for improving outcomes for children and families. Departments will work with key partners to develop this and subject to Ministerial approval it will be published in April 2026. The strategy will include clear objectives, a system-wide assessment of the key issues affecting performance and a review of current and planned initiatives to ensure alignment with strategic priorities. It will provide a framework for setting and reviewing performance indicators that reflect not only timeliness and efficiency, but also the quality-of-service user experience. Performance against the objectives will be regularly reviewed, and targets will be updated to reflect the evolving landscape and progress made – ensuring that they remain both realistic and responsive.