Post-Initial Hearing

[Pyrateboy]

I'm applying for a child arrangement order and had my initial hearing on the 19th Dec. I represented myself as a litigant in person and was actaully quite shocked at how straight forward the first hearing was. Cafcass had already suggested that they carry out a section 7 and also that I get a letter from my GP to say whether not I've spoken to them about drinking or taking drugs. Absolutely fine with doing that. My ex chucked on a drugs & alcohol test which I have to pay half of and also suggested that I do a parenting course that I agreed to pay all of. I was annoyed that I had to do these extra things but agreed to them as I wanted to show that I was willing to do whatever for the kids to be able to see their father. HOWEVER, I've not received anything from the court in official writing and obviously want to get the ball rolling with a lot of this stuff but don't want to start organising stuff before I've received anything. They also said that I can see the kids once a week in a contact centre and in the hearing told me to get on that as soon as possible so I have got in touch with them, paid a fee and am waiting to have a follow up conversation with them regarding it next week.
I just wanted to know if anyone could tell me the proceedure following the initial hearing?
Am I suppose to wait until I get something in the post?
Am I supposed to get in contact with them before they will send it out?
If so what's the best way to get in touch with them?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Resolute]

The order applies from when it is made, i.e. from the date of the hearing. I have had a copy of the order on the same day, I have waited 6 weeks.
2-3 weeks was about average, but everything has been slower of late.

When an order takes a while to come through, they will usually alter deadlines accordingly. Also, you cannot follow an order to the letter until you have seen it.

Was your ex represented?

If she was, her barrister is liable to write up an interpretation of what was ordered that works to her advantage. As a result, it is better you see the order before you act.

You could email the court highlighting that you have not received the order and asking for an update. If you call the national helpline they will be able to see if the order has been done and should advise you of the date.

Good luck.

 

[Pyrateboy]

OK good, I did think it was a bit strange as I'd received everything pre-hearing just fine. I did send an email yesterday asking what was going on, to the email that was given on all the court forms but I've yet to hear back from them.
Will give the national helpline a call today also.
Thanks for letting me know. Much apprecitated.

 

[Chi22]

I'm applying for a child arrangement order and had my initial hearing on the 19th Dec. I represented myself as a litigant in person and was actaully quite shocked at how straight forward the first hearing was. Cafcass had already suggested that they carry out a section 7 and also that I get a letter from my GP to say whether not I've spoken to them about drinking or taking drugs. Absolutely fine with doing that. My ex chucked on a drugs & alcohol test which I have to pay half of and also suggested that I do a parenting course that I agreed to pay all of. I was annoyed that I had to do these extra things but agreed to them as I wanted to show that I was willing to do whatever for the kids to be able to see their father. HOWEVER, I've not received anything from the court in official writing and obviously want to get the ball rolling with a lot of this stuff but don't want to start organising stuff before I've received anything. They also said that I can see the kids once a week in a contact centre and in the hearing told me to get on that as soon as possible so I have got in touch with them, paid a fee and am waiting to have a follow up conversation with them regarding it next week.
I just wanted to know if anyone could tell me the proceedure following the initial hearing?
Am I suppose to wait until I get something in the post?
Am I supposed to get in contact with them before they will send it out?
If so what's the best way to get in touch with them?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

Hi.

I'm just going to address the Parenting Course aspect of this.

One of the court gold standards is the Triple P course and it is set out for children of different ages. You can often get it free via your local council and you check by Googling the course: your WiFi gives your location and if it's free it will tell you who to contact at the council. If you have a VPN, you need to disable it temporarily.

 

[Pyrateboy]

Hi.

I'm just going to address the Parenting Course aspect of this.

One of the court gold standards is the Triple P course and it is set out for children of different ages. You can often get it free via your local council and you check by Googling the course: your WiFi gives your location and if it's free it will tell you who to contact at the council. If you have a VPN, you need to disable it temporarily.

Thanks Chi22. I got the court order through today and they recommended a specific website so i've gone on there and luckily it's also free in my area.

 

[Pyrateboy]

Regarding the section 7 report would anyone happen to know if they frown upon not having any stuff for the kids in your house.
I'm renting a 2 bed flat specifically so that I'd have space for the children but as I've not been allowed access to them I've held off buying anything and have just been using their room as a home office.
Should I just go ahead and buy everything in the hope that I will get them overnight? or can I hold off.
Only reason I'm asking is because the costs are beginning to pile up and if I can hold on a little longer that would be beneficial.

 

[Resolute]

It is not unusual for Cafcass to not bother seeing dad's home. However, it can be beneficial if the do see things ready for the children.

Do you know that your Cafcass officer intends to visit?

 

[mva]

How old are kids ?

 

[Pyrateboy]

How old are kids ?

1 and 4

 

[Pyrateboy]

It is not unusual for Cafcass to not bother seeing dad's home. However, it can be beneficial if the do see things ready for the children.

Do you know that your Cafcass officer intends to visit?

I'm not sure. I got sent the details of who the Cafcass officer is but no date. Section 7 report needs to be filed by 27th March though. I'm just a bit worried because like I said I've not got anything and right now I am in minus money. I've just been going over all my outgoings and because I'm having to pay half of the hair strand test (£420) and then £70 a pop for 1hr a week in contact centre to see the kids along with a GP letter I'm just not gonna have anything. So if they come before I get paid at the end of Feb I won't have anything.

 

[bujanin]

I'm not sure. I got sent the details of who the Cafcass officer is but no date. Section 7 report needs to be filed by 27th March though. I'm just a bit worried because like I said I've not got anything and right now I am in minus money. I've just been going over all my outgoings and because I'm having to pay half of the hair strand test (£420) and then £70 a pop for 1hr a week in contact centre to see the kids along with a GP letter I'm just not gonna have anything. So if they come before I get paid at the end of Feb I won't have anything.

It might depend on areas but there is every possibility that the officer will suggest a video meeting.

If it turns out that they do want to visit there's a lot of good stuff in charity shops and there're charity shops that just sell kids toys, books, clothes. Libraries are super useful for getting books into the place.

The officer on my case didn't want to visit either home, just video call but I asked to go and see him at the CAFCASS offices.

There's nothing wrong in being honest. The mother has all the kids toys and stuff so I'm starting from scratch, the whole process has cost me a lot of money. But I will create a kid friendly environment for them step by step by the time they begin overnights.