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CAFCASS Section 7 Report

DadLad said:
I’m massively pushing that they can’t make any assessment of me as a parent if they have never observed me interacting with my kids.

I refuse to have a phone call interview.

The order clearly states that they need to see me at the family home.
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Just reading your story,
I find it shocking the lack of disrespect to a court order in providing Gp and police disclosure reports late. How are they able to get away with this? I really feel the laws need to change for fathers in England and Wales as some mothers are just doing what they like and getting away with it. When there is no consequences for their actions taken they will continue to do this to fathers and their own children.
 
mainstay92 said:
Just reading your story,
I find it shocking the lack of disrespect to a court order in providing Gp and police disclosure reports late. How are they able to get away with this? I really feel the laws need to change for fathers in England and Wales as some mothers are just doing what they like and getting away with it. When there is no consequences for their actions taken they will continue to do this to fathers and their own children.
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Unfortunately there are no consequences for them. They can do whatever they like, whenever they like with no repercussions.

I have always followed court orders and filed documents on time.
 
So as it stands:

• Police disclosure: 1 month overdue

• GP note: 2 months overdue

• Moved address: hasn’t notified anyone (courts, cafcass, myself etc)

• Section 7 interview: This has been pencilled in as a telephone interview for January. I've declined a telephone interview and I’ve requested that they visit me at my family home. (Which is also detailed as part of the court order)
 
It could be worth going ahead with the phone interview, as knowing Cafcass, they might just write the report without you and say they don't have the resources for home visits and Dad declined a phone interview. At least with a phone interview you can then try and get the report undermined at final hearing - rather than no interview at all. Or raise, during the interview, that you want them to see the children with you.

The non filed reports are to cause delays - so it drags on. Wondering if it could be worth emailing the court and notifying them that these reports haven't been filed, as ordered by the courts, which will lead to delay and delay is harmful to the child, and ask for a directions hearing.
 
Ash said:
It could be worth going ahead with the phone interview, as knowing Cafcass, they might just write the report without you and say they don't have the resources for home visits and Dad declined a phone interview. At least with a phone interview you can then try and get the report undermined at final hearing - rather than no interview at all. Or raise, during the interview, that you want them to see the children with you.

The non filed reports are to cause delays - so it drags on. Wondering if it could be worth emailing the court and notifying them that these reports haven't been filed, as ordered by the courts, which will lead to delay and delay is harmful to the child, and ask for a directions hearing.
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I contacted Cafcass 2 weeks ago regarding my dispute with it being another telephone interview but the assigned advisor hasn’t replied.

The mother is being visited at her home and also within the court order under the Section 7 part it says Cafcass to see homes of parents are suitable.

I also contacted the courts 2 weeks ago with the following email:

As stated in the court order dated 06.10.23

COMPLIANCE:

(d) In the event of non-compliance by any person with any order or direction made today, each party shall be responsible for notifying the court of the same, in order to avoid delay.

Could I please kindly ask the judge for further directions as these court ordered documents are needed as part of forming the Cafcass section 7 report and the court bundle.
 
I’m just thinking that this is a delay tactic by the ex’s solicitor to possibly get the next hearing adjourned?

All this time is damaging, and enough time has already been wasted.
 
The police disclosure has finally been sent to the court.

The GP note is still outstanding (almost 3 months overdue)

I did email the court for further directions as these documents are needed as part of the S7 and the bundle.

I have a suspicion that this is another delay tactic by the ex’s solicitor to try and get the DRA adjourned. 6 months between hearings is already damaging enough.
 
DadLad said:
Cafcass have agreed to a home visit 😁

Im feeling quite nervous as I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
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When's the visit, just so we all know how much time we have to prep you :)
 
MagicJ said:
When's the visit, just so we all know how much time we have to prep you :)
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it’s next week.

I know it’s the standard “don’t bad mouth the mother” approach.

But there are things I need to mention that have happened that have directly affected me as a parent.
 
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Do I print off emails/ screenshots/ invoices etc that show how consistent Ive been trying and all the obstructions Ive faced from the mother.

I have a lot of evidence and a timeline of everything.
 
Not having any real experience of this yet but I personally would go with hard facts and evidence as you already mentioned, keep opinions about ex out if it, its conjuncture to the case and its only opinion. Yes do keep the bad mouthing away from anything to do with ex but do remain calm, don't show any signs of heightened emotion, if there are any reasons to praise ex then do so along as its factual, remember they will twist and analyse every word you say
 
capa said:
Not having any real experience of this yet but I personally would go with hard facts and evidence as you already mentioned, keep opinions about ex out if it, its conjuncture to the case and its only opinion. Yes do keep the bad mouthing away from anything to do with ex but do remain calm, don't show any signs of heightened emotion, if there are any reasons to praise ex then do so along as its factual, remember they will twist and analyse every word you say
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I think it’s awful how we have to almost put on an act for these people who are known to manipulate and twist things.
 
DadLad said:
I think it’s awful how we have to almost put on an act for these people who are known to manipulate and twist things
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It is appalling that we as dad's have too, but I take it as we do because the stbx has done exactly the same thing, put on an act to exaggerate all given scenarios where they know will cause a roadblock in the whole procedures going forward and the crux of it, our kids are been used as weapons and caught in the middle, forced to emotionally take a side, having the decisions left with them, dependant on age of course, but this it the reality,this is the life path we now have to undertake and why, cos of the I am victim, toxic and venomous stbx's and they will take whatever they can with whatever underhand tactic they can get away with, although not all stbx's are like that.
 
DadLad said:
Do I print off emails/ screenshots/ invoices etc that show how consistent Ive been trying and all the obstructions Ive faced from the mother.

I have a lot of evidence and a timeline of everything.
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Others can advise better than me but Cafcass have never been interested in seeing any evidence of my partners. They have always said that my partner would have to present any evidence to court. Saying that my partner has had the same Cafcass woman throughout every case and she’s blatantly biased to the ex so doubt she would have looked at any evidence even if she was allowed to.
 
I've also found Cafcass aren't interested in looking at anything. What I did on one occasion (it was pre hearing with Cafcass) was take a few things i a file, During discussions ex claimed a load of lies about something she said I had done (bombarded her with emails about a pickup). I was prepared for that so took the email conversation with me in the folder. Cafcass believed ex and gave me a hard time saying I'd bombarded her with x emails. I said - actually I was simply trying to arrange collection of my son who she had taken quite a distance away, and I have the emails here if you;d like to see. She said no I don't want to see.
 
In regards to the above comments about 'evidence' I've been advised to provide it by my barrister during the s7 visit although I'm going to keep it child focused there were some serious allegations which I have evidence could be dismissed but I'm not sure how it works either .
I'm worried if Cafcass do not look at the evidence then it could go belly up .
I have a lady who is overseeing our case and she did state of there's anything I ( and no doubt my ex ) wanted to get in touch about then to let her know .
Without bombarding is it advisable to ask whether they would like some evidence regarding at least two of the serious allegations or just wait till they turn up and take it from there .
It seems a tricky fine line to walk where's it's understandably meant to be child focused but also when serious allegations have been thrown at me and many others is it also right to refute some claims and raise concerns ?
 
I would wait until they turn up and take it from there. Have things handy you can show them, if necessary, to back up what you say. But yes keep it mainly child focused and positive. They will be sussing you out, analysing you, looking at your home environment. Looking to see if you have any photos of baby and/or ex on display. Looking to see if the home is child friendly. Etc etc. Only mention the allegations if they do, or towards the end of the visit. If you make too much of a thing of it they might decide it's conflict between parents as you could sound negative about her.
 
I have already had a fact finding idea dismissed by the judge at my FHDRA.

Part of the order under the S7 section says that Cafcass will discuss DA allegations from both parents, if found proven during the S7, the impact it has had on the children, other parent etc

My worry is that if I don’t show them evidence which completely shuts down her allegations then they can just put in the S7 report another suggestion of a FF hearing which will drag my case out even longer which is damaging to the kids.

I’m at the DRA stage next and then a final hearing which the other party has asked for a composite final hearing. With my evidence provided to Cafcass this will also stop it from being a composite final hearing.
 
Ash said:
I would wait until they turn up and take it from there. Have things handy you can show them, if necessary, to back up what you say. But yes keep it mainly child focused and positive. They will be sussing you out, analysing you, looking at your home environment. Looking to see if you have any photos of baby and/or ex on display. Looking to see if the home is child friendly. Etc etc. Only mention the allegations if they do, or towards the end of the visit. If you make too much of a thing of it they might decide it's conflict between parents as you could sound negative about her.
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I'm regards to photos, and home environment do they look at things such as the cot etc , baby gates , child locks .
The reason I ask is there are some photos of me and my daughter and also my mother's other grandkids but none with my ex on (although I could get one if needed )
I don't actually have a baby gate as my daughter wasn't even walking when I last had her a long time ago and my mother's waiting for the a house renovation to be started so there's no carpet on the bedroom floors and stuff stored in storage boxes .
The cot is not even built but it is there in the room , should I build it up even though my child is not even with me .
I'm hoping I move into my new home soon but it's still ongoing at the moment so who knows .
 
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