Pearson Hinchliffe Solicitors - Professional Understanding - Advising - Supporting - Delivering

Oldham Solicitor Speaks Out for Children’s Services

Solicitor cautions against cutting Family services in Oldham

David Hinchliffe, a partner in Pearson Hinchliffe Solicitors, has urged the Local Authority in Oldham to exercise caution when implementing any budget cuts and, if possible, ring-fence funding where vulnerable children are involved.

Mr Hinchliffe, a specialist in childcare matters, said that, “At a time when the country is in an uncertain financial position the most vulnerable people in the community and their children are probably least able to cope with support service cuts. Families are feeling the strain of the recession with divorce and separation rates up 15% in the last year.” 

Unprecedented Workload at the Family Courts

Over the last 12 months the country has been shocked by the Baby P enquiry. The Family Courts have been inundated with work which has placed the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), the organisation responsible for representing children in court, under massive pressure leaving them struggling to cope in a timely way with the unprecedented extra workload. 

In the last 12 months alone the number of Care proceedings brought to Court was up a third, and in the 9 months of 2009 demand for CAFCASS’s services was up 46% on the same period of 2008. 

Mr Hinchliffe, who heads the Family department at the firm, added, “A cut in the provision of Oldham’s children’s’ services may be the last straw. We owe it to the community to safeguard the most vulnerable people among us”.   

CONTACT: If you have any questions about this article, please speak to Pearson Hinchlife LLP's Media Team on: 0161 785 3500, or: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).