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Afternoon all,
I have a cafcass pre hearing interview (by telephone) scheduled for monday next week. The actual directions hearing is the following week.
What am I looking to get across to the cafacss officer in this telephone call?
What can I expect them to ask me?
If it makes any difference to things, I know that they are speaking to me first, and my ex later that same day.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Just be yourself. Don't bad mouth the mother but do speak up about you concerns for her frame of mind at the time she left and the nature of her leaving in secret, and about her PND and the medication she was on. You will probably be asked if you have any criminal convictions, your work and your living arrangements.
It's up to you whether you mention the allegations she has made against you, but it might be a good idea to get your side across first. Ask if its a symptom of PND maybe, mention how hurt you feel and how it makes you even more worried about your ex's state of mind. In the same breath there's nothing wrong in saying that she is a good mother and you were unaware that there were any problems until the day she left... Always talk from the perspective of what is in the best interests of your son and that is having you fully involved in his life. Express the hope that you and the mother can at some point put this behind you and work together for the benefit of your son..... When talking about him always reference him as our son rather than my son.
Perhaps make a short list of anything you wish to highlight and write down answers to questions she might ask.
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