Cafcass Webinars 2016 and 2017
Estimated reading time: 1 min
You may have read our post about Anthony Douglas and his infamous Parental Alienation webinar that he gave to his Cafcass employees earlier this year to which only 2% of his 1,400 FCAs bothered to turn up. You can also read our post about Anthony Douglas and his Emotional Harm webinar and see the attendance figures… which are even lower than his Parental Alienation webinar!
A researcher asked for a list of all training webinars held by Cafcass in 2017 alongwith completion rates.
Here’s Cafcass’ response:
| Webinar | No. of staff who attended the webinar (this includes all staff, not just FCAs) |
|---|---|
| Parental Alienation | 64 |
| Sibling Relationships | 31 |
| Emotional harm | 29 |
| Indirect contact | 26 |
You should note that Cafcass have since confirmed that the figures they supplied above “are not accurate” and you can see this in our post on the Parental Alienation webinar here:
Cafcass have said that in 2016 they held around 140 webinars on a variety of subjects and that these have been well received by their employees.
A researcher subsequently asked for a list of these webinars and the corresponding attendance rates.
Here’s Cafcass’ response:
| Webinars 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Learning Activity | Start Date | No. of Attendees |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 13/05/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 27/05/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 26/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 19/09/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 28/09/2016 | 10 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 21/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 25/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 23/11/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced OneNote | 06/12/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 10/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 16/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 05/09/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 13/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 05/10/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 14/10/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Advanced Outlook and Organizing your Emails | 05/12/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Closing and Deleting Cases | 10/05/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Closing and Deleting Cases | 17/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Closing and Deleting Cases | 09/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Closing and Deleting Cases | 26/09/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Closing and Deleting Cases | 05/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Contact Log | 11/05/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Contact Log | 24/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Contact Log | 27/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Contact Log | 18/10/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Documents | 25/04/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Documents | 23/05/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Documents | 18/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Documents | 31/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Documents | 21/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Documents | 06/12/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing Case Information | 16/06/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing Case Information | 19/07/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing Case Information | 24/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 09/05/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 24/05/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 03/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 11/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 01/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 15/09/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 05/10/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 17/10/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 05/12/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Editing People | 20/12/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 12/05/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 26/05/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 10/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 25/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 05/09/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 05/10/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Safeguarding and Missing Information | 14/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 06/05/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 20/05/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 19/08/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 06/09/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 23/09/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 08/11/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 18/11/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 22/11/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 25/11/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS Working with Reports (not formatting) | 05/12/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for BS (New Features) | 12/04/2016 | 7 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for BS (New Features) | 14/04/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for BS (New Features) | 15/04/2016 | 10 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for BS (New Features) | 18/04/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for BS (New Features) | 25/04/2016 | 7 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for BS (New Features) | 25/04/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for Operational Staff (New Features) | 11/04/2016 | 10 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for Operational Staff (New Features) | 14/04/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for Operational Staff (New Features) | 20/04/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - ECMS v1.4 for Operational Staff (New Features) | 28/04/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Internet Explorer | 17/11/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Internet Explorer | 22/11/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Internet Explorer | 06/12/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 11/05/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 25/05/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 10/08/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 24/08/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 13/09/2016 | 9 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 27/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 30/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 05/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 18/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 25/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 17/11/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 01/12/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to OneNote | 12/12/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Outlook | 11/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Outlook | 31/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Outlook | 21/09/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Outlook | 27/09/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Outlook | 06/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Outlook | 18/10/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Introduction to Sharepoint | 30/06/2016 | 9 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Outlook 2013 New Features | 11/08/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 02/08/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 11/08/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 17/08/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 23/09/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 12/10/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 11/11/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Skype for Business | 16/12/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Using Windows | 28/11/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Using Windows | 15/12/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Word 2013 New Features | 10/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 05/05/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 10/05/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 16/05/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 08/06/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 02/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 18/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 31/08/2016 | 7 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 13/09/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 29/09/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 03/10/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 11/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 18/10/2016 | 7 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 25/10/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 01/11/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 07/11/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 23/11/2016 | 8 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 06/12/2016 | 7 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 1 | 13/12/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 12/05/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 26/05/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 04/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 10/08/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 16/08/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 01/09/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 13/09/2016 | 9 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 29/09/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 06/10/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 12/10/2016 | 1 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 18/10/2016 | 6 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 27/10/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 03/11/2016 | 4 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 07/11/2016 | 2 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 28/11/2016 | 5 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 08/12/2016 | 3 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 13/12/2016 | 7 |
| Live Laptop Learning (Webinar) - Working Electronically 2 | 19/12/2016 | 2 |
They’re correct. There are 140 webinar training *sessions* in 2016 but that’s not the same as saying there were 140 webinars.
Looking at the list it’s hard to see how many of these actually benefit the children that Cafcass are supposed to be supporting.
So let’s take a look at the webinars that directly impact the ability of Cafcass FCAs to understand the needs of children that they’re supposed to represent in our family courts:
| Region | Service Area | Number of FCAs January 2017 | FCAs who attended Anthony Douglas Parental Alienation Webinar | FCAs who attended Anthony Douglas Emotional Harm Webinar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyneside and Northumbria | A1 | 54 | 2 | 0 |
| Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York, Cumbria and Lancashire | A2 | 109 | 3 | 2 |
| Greater Manchester | A3 | 79 | 1 | 0 |
| South Yorkshire and Humberside | A4 | 65 | 2 | 1 |
| West Yorkshire | A5 | 67 | 0 | 3 |
| Hampshire, The Isle of Wight and Dorset | A6 | 51 | 0 | 2 |
| Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Thames Valley | A7 | 86 | 2 | 2 |
| Cornwall, Devon and Somerset | A8 | 68 | 1 | 2 |
| Cheshire and Merseyside | A9 | 100 | 3 | 0 |
| Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire | A10 | 51 | 1 | 0 |
| Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire | A11 | 67 | 3 | 0 |
| Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire and Worcestershire | A12 | 97 | 3 | 1 |
| National Business Centre, Coventry, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire | A13 | 66 | 2 | 0 |
| Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire | A14 | 117 | 1 | 2 |
| Greater London (Public Law) | A15A | 146 | 5 in total for A15a and A15b | 3 in total for A15a and A15b |
| Greater London (Private Law) | A15B | 85 | see row above | see row above |
| Surrey and Sussex | A16 | 57 | 2 | 3 |
| Kent | A17 | 40 | 1 | 1 |
| N/A (Self Employed Contractors) | SEC | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 1407 | 32 | 22 |
Imagine that you’re a child in any of these service areas and you’re being alienated from a parent and suffering emotional harm. How ready do you think Cafcass are to understand and help you?
Horrifying, isn’t it?!
How is any of this in the interests of the children that Cafcass are supposed to be representing in our family courts?
In a Family Law system designed for combative parents there is no real allowance for the views of children and any understanding of how Family Law ultimately impacts on children most of all.
We speak for the children in Family Law so that, finally, the children have a voice.