Cafcass Cymru and Child Arrangements Orders in Wales

How Cafcass Cymru Differs from Cafcass

England and Wales share the same legal framework for child arrangements orders under the Children Act 1989, and the same Family Court system. But the body responsible for safeguarding children in family proceedings differs by nation.

In England, that body is Cafcass — the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. In Wales, it is Cafcass Cymru, which operates under the Welsh Government rather than the Ministry of Justice. The role is the same — advising the Family Court on children's welfare — but the administrative structure, reporting lines, and some operational procedures differ.

For grandparents and relatives applying for a child arrangements order in Wales, the core legal process is identical to England. You file Form C100 with the Family Court, attend a MIAM (or claim an exemption), and go through the same hearing sequence. The difference is in who conducts the safeguarding checks and welfare assessments.

What Cafcass Cymru Does

When the court issues your C100, it sends a copy to Cafcass Cymru. Their officers carry out the same mandatory safeguarding stage:

• Database screening — checking the Police National Computer and local authority children's social care records for any history involving the child, applicant, and respondents
• Safeguarding telephone interviews — contacting each party separately to identify safety concerns, domestic abuse, substance misuse, or mental health risks
• Safeguarding letter — summarising initial findings for the judge before the first hearing

If the case needs deeper investigation, the court can order a Section 7 welfare report, which Cafcass Cymru prepares in the same way as Cafcass in England — home visits, interviews, school and GP contacts, and an assessment against the Welfare Checklist.

Welsh Language Rights

One significant practical difference: in Wales, the Welsh Language Act 1993 gives you a statutory right to use Welsh in all court proceedings. This means:

• You can submit your C100 and supporting documents in Welsh
• You can attend your MIAM, Cafcass Cymru interviews, and court hearings in Welsh
• Court orders and correspondence can be issued in Welsh

If you want to use Welsh, note this on your application. The court and Cafcass Cymru must arrange Welsh-speaking officers or interpreters. This is a right, not a request — the system is required to accommodate it.

Financial Support Differences

The financial support available to kinship carers also differs between England and Wales.

In England, local authority support for relatives with a "lives with" child arrangements order is discretionary under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, though the Kinship Zones pilot (launched April 2026 in seven English councils) is testing a non-means-tested allowance for eligible carers.

In Wales, local authorities assess kinship families under Part 4 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which provides its own framework for discretionary assistance. The Kinship Zones pilot does not extend to Wales.

For deeper coverage of Welsh kinship support, including the Welsh Government's kinship care strategy and specific local authority schemes, see the Wales Kinship Care guide.

Practical Points for Welsh Applicants

• Your application is filed with the Family Court and assigned to a local hearing venue in Wales based on the child's residence — the same process as in England
• Mediation requirements are identical: MIAM with an FMC-accredited mediator, with the same exemptions available
• Court fees are the same (£270 for a C100), and the Help with Fees scheme applies equally
• If your case involves both English and Welsh elements (for example, one parent lives in England and the child lives in Wales), jurisdiction follows the child's habitual residence

Our Child Arrangements Order Process Guide covers the entire application process for both England and Wales, including Cafcass Cymru-specific steps and Welsh language options.

See more England and Wales guides →