Think I struck it lucky, first CAFCASS officer was a bit stereotypical “if your child is saying that they don’t want to see you then we’re not going to force them”
she got replaced with my current one who has genuinely been a breath of fresh air. Background: no contact since June; no good reason. All attempts to resolve amicably outside court came to nothing (blocked on all channels). C100 in Sepember. C1A in return alleging abuse, drug use etc, first hearing in October. Interim contact via letters every 2 weeks and S7 ordered. No response to letters. I insisted on a home visit for S7 and officer agreed. First CAFCASS Officer said she wanted to see my daughter in school but ex said no and she saw them both in the home instead. She tried this stunt with the second CAFCASS officer who shut her down and insisted that she saw my daughter away from her mum. The interview was upsetting to read, but very obvious she’s been coached.
Just got the report through from the second one and it’s really, really good.
She’s listed all symptoms of parental alienation without using those words, but has said things like “xxxx (aged 10) has said she wants no “communication” or “interaction” with her dad and has said this at least 10 times”
“She describes father as entirely negative and mother as entirely positive and says she wants no contact often with no prompting, I am concerned that anxiety and reactive behaviour is disproportionate to the risks identified”
“Xxxx said that her mother told her she does not have to do the court decision”
Also put a suggestion in place for reintroducing contact, no hair strand testing ordered and no risks identified.
All in all, report is an upsetting read (as one would expect) but is balanced and fair with decent recommendations. They’re clearly onto Mrs ex for controlling and alienating behaviour.
Advice would be to anyone, definitely insist on a home visit (I had to ask 3 times but got it) as it’s the perfect opportunity to sell yourself in person and become a human to them rather than just a case number and a list of false allegations.
Be nice and polite - the other side is very likely to present as unreasonable, don’t make it two of you.
As others have said, deny any false allegations and say you’re surprised she’s making them, but put it down to the stress of court proceedings.
If you have any evidence to the contrary (I sent CAFCASS officer a link to documents I had prepared on my Dropbox when we were on the telephone interview surrounding read receipts of photos demonstrating the allegations made that we don’t go out anywhere to be completely false - the email came through when we were on the phone and she viewed it there and then) then send it to them, letting them know it’ll be helpful to them in presenting a fair and balanced report. It also lets them know that you do indeed have evidence and are prepared to present it to the court if need be.
Best of luck everyone, not sure if I got lucky here - but CAFCASS officer in my case has gone above and beyond to get to the truth so far and can’t fault her.
she got replaced with my current one who has genuinely been a breath of fresh air. Background: no contact since June; no good reason. All attempts to resolve amicably outside court came to nothing (blocked on all channels). C100 in Sepember. C1A in return alleging abuse, drug use etc, first hearing in October. Interim contact via letters every 2 weeks and S7 ordered. No response to letters. I insisted on a home visit for S7 and officer agreed. First CAFCASS Officer said she wanted to see my daughter in school but ex said no and she saw them both in the home instead. She tried this stunt with the second CAFCASS officer who shut her down and insisted that she saw my daughter away from her mum. The interview was upsetting to read, but very obvious she’s been coached.
Just got the report through from the second one and it’s really, really good.
She’s listed all symptoms of parental alienation without using those words, but has said things like “xxxx (aged 10) has said she wants no “communication” or “interaction” with her dad and has said this at least 10 times”
“She describes father as entirely negative and mother as entirely positive and says she wants no contact often with no prompting, I am concerned that anxiety and reactive behaviour is disproportionate to the risks identified”
“Xxxx said that her mother told her she does not have to do the court decision”
Also put a suggestion in place for reintroducing contact, no hair strand testing ordered and no risks identified.
All in all, report is an upsetting read (as one would expect) but is balanced and fair with decent recommendations. They’re clearly onto Mrs ex for controlling and alienating behaviour.
Advice would be to anyone, definitely insist on a home visit (I had to ask 3 times but got it) as it’s the perfect opportunity to sell yourself in person and become a human to them rather than just a case number and a list of false allegations.
Be nice and polite - the other side is very likely to present as unreasonable, don’t make it two of you.
As others have said, deny any false allegations and say you’re surprised she’s making them, but put it down to the stress of court proceedings.
If you have any evidence to the contrary (I sent CAFCASS officer a link to documents I had prepared on my Dropbox when we were on the telephone interview surrounding read receipts of photos demonstrating the allegations made that we don’t go out anywhere to be completely false - the email came through when we were on the phone and she viewed it there and then) then send it to them, letting them know it’ll be helpful to them in presenting a fair and balanced report. It also lets them know that you do indeed have evidence and are prepared to present it to the court if need be.
Best of luck everyone, not sure if I got lucky here - but CAFCASS officer in my case has gone above and beyond to get to the truth so far and can’t fault her.
