Cafcass Cymru Advisory Committee meeting minutes: 11 November 2025

• Tracey Holdsworth (Chair) NSPCC Cymru
• Mike Clark TGP Cymru
• Lauren Shepherd Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB)
• Olivia Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB)
• Shivani Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB)
• Paul Apreda FNF Both Parents Matter Cymru
• Helen Mary Jones Voices from Care Cymru
• Gareth Jenkins Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS) Representative
• Sara Kirkpatrick Welsh Women’s Aid
• Sharon Lovell National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
• Astrid Davis Chair of Cardiff Family Panel & Magistrate
• Nigel Brown Cafcass Cymru
• Matthew Pinnell Cafcass Cymru
• De Litchfield Cafcass Cymru
• Jane Smith Cafcass Cymru
• Suzanne Burgoyne Cafcass Cymru
• Lydia Hall-Mulvaney Cafcass Cymru (Secretariat)

Apologies were received from:

• HHJ Jayne Scannell Judiciary
• Samantha Williams Learning Disability Wales 
• Sarah Coldrick Association of Fostering and Adoption (AFA) Cymru

Members agreed the minutes of the meeting on 8 July 2025 were an accurate record and there were no matters arising.

Nigel provided an overview of the new data and performance reports for both Public and Private Law and the updated KPI’s.

Olivia & Shivani delivered an engaging and informative presentation covering the following topics:

• The ‘Voice of the Child’ FJYPB Conference held on 31 July 2025 which attracted over 900 participants online. Olivia & Shivani expressed their gratitude to Nigel for contributing to the panel session and highlighted the vital importance of ensuring that children and young people’s voices are heard. The next online conference is scheduled for 29 July 2026, where Nigel will once again attend in person.
• An informative overview of the FJYPB’s guidance on keeping children and young people at the centre of their proceedings.
• At the FJYPB meeting in October, members discussed a range of topics such as the impact the recent protests on flags has had on children and young people.

The Chair, along with Committee members, extended sincere thanks to Olivia and Shivani for their impressive and thought-provoking presentation.

Jane Smith provided an informative update on the new 5 year Strategic Plan 2026 to 2031. Jane advised that staff across the organisation will be consulted via workshops to offer an opportunity to engage with the plan. Jane noted that the aim is for the plan to be published in April 2026 in plain English and an easy read version will also be made. 

Jane answered questions posed by Committee members and thanked them for their suggestions & contributions. It was agreed further consideration will be given to engagement with stakeholders.

Suzanne Burgoyne provided a detailed update on the Practice Review Report for October 2024 to March 2025. It was recognised that opportunities existed to demonstrate strengths in practice, supported by reflective discussions and individual learning. 

Suzanne responded to questions raised by Committee members and was commended for the honesty of the report, the sample size and detail.

Nigel advised the Committee that the government are intending to repeal the “presumption of parental involvement” and also introduce legislation to restrict and/or remove parental responsibility for some parents who commit sexual offences against children. 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting concluded. 

The next meeting of the committee will be on the 24 March 2026 from 16:00 to 17:30 via Teams.