May 13, 2026 - 162 views
Cafcass Cymru has launched a new five-year strategic plan setting out its ambitions to further strengthen child-centred services across Wales’ family justice system.
The organisation, which represents children in family court proceedings and advises courts on what is in a child’s best interests, said the new 2026–2031 strategy builds on major reforms and challenges faced during the last five years.
Cafcass Cymru — Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service Cymru — works with vulnerable children and families involved in public and private family law cases. Its role includes ensuring children’s voices are heard in court proceedings involving issues such as parental separation, care proceedings, adoption and domestic abuse. The organisation operates within the Welsh Government and works closely with courts, local authorities and other agencies.
Launching the new strategy, chief executive Nigel Brown reflected on the organisation’s achievements since 2020, including maintaining services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and helping drive major reforms in the family justice system.
Among the key developments highlighted were the rollout of the Pathfinder model — also known as the Child Focused Court model — across Wales, the introduction of the “Putting Children First” practice framework, and new domestic abuse practice guidance aimed at improving protection and support for children and families.
The Pathfinder approach has been designed to reduce conflict within family court proceedings and place greater emphasis on children’s experiences, safety and wellbeing. Cafcass Cymru said the reforms marked some of the most significant changes to practice in a decade.
In a statement, Mr Brown said: “Throughout this time, our unwavering commitment to children and young people guided every decision we made.
“We maintained high-quality services through the Covid-19 pandemic, adapted rapidly to new ways of working, and played a central role in major system reform.”
He added that demand for services continues to rise, with cases becoming increasingly complex and pressures remaining across the wider family justice system.
The new strategic plan outlines ambitions to improve participation for children and young people, strengthen consistency and accessibility, make better use of digital tools and insight, and continue investing in staff development.
Mr Brown said the organisation remained “ambitious for children” and committed to ensuring their voices remain central to decision-making across Wales.
Further information about the strategy and Cafcass Cymru’s work is available via the Cafcass Cymru website.
