Cafcass Cymru Advisory Committee meeting minutes: 24 March 2026

• Tracey Holdsworth (Chair) NSPCC Cymru
• Mike Clark TGP Cymru
• Jennifer Gibbon Lynch Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB)
• Aiden Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB)
• Milo Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB)
• Fateha Ahmed Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales (EYST Wales)
• Sarah Coldrick Association of Fostering and Adoption (AFA) Cymru
• Helen Mary Jones Voices from Care Cymru
• Tomos Davies Office of Children’s Commissioner for Wales
• Sharon Powell Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS) Representative
• HJH Jayne Scannell Judiciary
• Lysette Owen HMCTS
• Sean O'Neill Children in Wales
• Samantha Williams Learning Disability Wales
• Astrid Davis Outgoing Chair of Cardiff Family Panel & Magistrate
• Elaine Farthing Incoming Chair of Cardiff Family Panel & Magistrate
• Megan Colley Head of Family Justice, Welsh Government
• Nigel Brown Cafcass Cymru
• Matthew Pinnell Cafcass Cymru
• De Litchfield Cafcass Cymru
• Jane Smith Cafcass Cymru
• Lydia Hall-Mulvaney Cafcass Cymru (Secretariat)

Tracey welcomed new members to the Advisory Committee and read out the received apologies.

Apologies were received from:

• Sara Kirkpatrick Welsh Women’s Aid
• Sharon Lovell National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
• Gareth Jenkins Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS) Representative

Members agreed the minutes of the meeting on 11 November 2025 were an accurate record and there were no matters arising.

Nigel welcomed the new Advisory Committee members and provided a brief update on those who have recently left the Committee. He and Tracey acknowledged and thanked the departing members for their contributions during their time on the Committee.

Nigel presented an overview of the data and performance reports for both Public and Private Law, including the KPIs. 

A brief discussion on adoption placements noted a growing gap in Wales between the rising number of children on adoption placements and the limited availability of suitable adopters, as noted by Sarah Coldrick. Samantha Williams queried data on children subject to care proceedings who have parents with a learning disability, which was addressed by Nigel and Megan Colley. Tracey suggested that understanding broader themes and trends in adoption placements would be useful, and Nigel suggested that the National Adoption Service could be approached for further insight.

Aiden and Milo delivered an engaging and informative presentation covering the following key areas: 

• FJYPB Board Meeting (December 2025): The meeting was a celebration of members’ achievements, including awards for two members who reached 500 hours of engagement and a number of Unique Awards for members. 
• Cafcass Cymru Strategic Plan: Board members met with Jane Smith to share their views on the 2026 - 2031 Strategic Plan, offering constructive feedback, suggestions for improvement, and alternative perspectives. 
• Child Inclusive Mediation: The FJYPB provided constructive feedback to the Mediation Service. 
• Family Justice Conference: Members recently attended the Family Justice Conference in Birmingham, which focused on technology and AI. Aiden and Milo shared insightful reflections on engaging effectively with children, and the potential impact of AI on children's emotional wellbeing and trust in professionals. They also suggested ways practitioners should adapt their approach when using AI and social media. 
• Voice of the Children Conference: The next FJYPB Voice of the Child Conference will be held on 29th July as a fully hybrid event. Last year, they welcomed almost 1000 online attendees and encouraged the Advisory Committee to take part in this year’s event. 

The Chair and Committee members expressed their sincere thanks to Aiden and Milo for their impressive and thought-provoking presentation.

Matthew outlined key achievements from the 2020 to 2025 Cafcass Cymru Strategic Plan closure report, including the Wales wide rollout of Pathfinder, the launch of the Domestic Abuse Practice Guidance, and the Cafcass Cymru Practice Framework. He also highlighted progress in staff wellbeing and development, particularly through the ‘growing our own’ approach, which has supported a cohort of staff to become Assistant Family Court Social Workers. Matthew further acknowledged the strong relationships Cafcass Cymru have with stakeholders such as the courts, HMCTS, and IDVA services. 

Tracey commended the organisation’s progress over the past five years and encouraged wider sharing of these achievements.

Jane provided an update on the development of the Cafcass Cymru Strategic Plan 2026 to 2031, including feedback gathered from staff across the organisation and connecting with different stakeholders such as the FJYPB. She highlighted the constructive and thought-provoking input received from both the FJYPB and Advisory Committee members. Jane confirmed that two versions of the plan will be produced – an easy read version and a plain English version – with both translated into Welsh. The documents are now with the design team, and Learning Disability Wales are assisting with the children’s easy read version. The Strategic Plan is scheduled for launch in mid-April. 

Jane responded to Committee members’ questions, and Tracey praised her work on the plan, particularly her constructive collaboration with the FJYPB.

Matthew gave a short update on Private Law, noting that Child Focused Courts (formerly Pathfinder) have been fully implemented in Wales for over a year. He added that Child Focused Courts will be introduced in England over the next three years. Nigel acknowledged the strong support and close working relationship with HMCTS and the Judiciary that contributed to the successful delivery of Pathfinder in Wales.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting concluded. The next meeting of the Committee will be on the 7 July 2026 from 16:00 - 17:30 via Teams.