Cafcass is an organisation that represents children in family court cases in England. It is independent of the courts and social services. In private law proceedings it operates to offer guidance to the court by way of undertaking safeguarding checks and providing an opinion on how a case may be progressed. It will also advise on what orders might be in the best interests of the children concerned. In appropriate cases, a Cafcass officer may be appointed to act as a child’s Guardian ad Litem if the child is made a party to the proceedings.