CAFCASS stands for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.
If Children Act proceedings are instigated, a CAFCASS officer will be appointed to assist the court in determining the best way to deal with the case to ensure the needs of the children are met. CAFCASS will conduct safeguarding checks at the outset of the proceedings, and usually before the first hearing, to ensure there are no welfare concerns, and can provide the court with recommendations as to what needs to happen with the case.