cafcass phoned me about arranging a interview over the phone for 1 hour, when preparing their section 7 before my DRA. worst thing is they said the report wont be ready by the time the DRA comes around, so they have informed the courts(another delay for me)
the only question she asked me at this moment was what my relationship was like with the ex, after she made the allegations against me. I just replied it was ok/civil. i know this was asked to see if theirs any hostility, so others here beware.
they have also said they will be speaking to my children aged 2 and 6 at their offices, which the mother will have to bring them in. im worried the mother will get the kids to say stuff about me, and perhaps to the oldest child that she wishes to remain with mother. im not allowed to be there when the children come in. already kind of getting a biased feeling.
she also asked i send any evidence i have to her. i have my contact centre reports, courses i have done, first aid, parenting course etc. anything else i should send?
How long has it been since you last saw your children? Usually your ex will not be with the kids when they are being spoken to, they do not want them to be manipulated when asked questions. I doubt they will get much out of your 2 year old, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Kids wont lie and as long as they were happy with you before, they still will be now. It may work well for you if the eldest says they miss you and want to see you. But the mother will always get residency of them, thats how it works unfortunately.
When you hvae your call with cafcass, just stay child focused, no slagging your ex off, deny any allegations . Ask for a reasonable plan when you see them. I know you will want to go for 50/50 but you will not get that right away, so put something together that works towards that gradually.
I see them every weekends, but not any over night stays just yet
Great advice above. Very disappointing that Cafcass will not have the report ready though.
The evidence you've mentioned is good. Do you have any photos of the kids spending time with you that you could include?
The children will normally be spoken to without the mother present. If they're not, and you end up at a final hearing, this can always be raised with the court.
cafcass interview coming up this week. they also going to speak to my 6 year old.
i noticed in last 2 weeks, that my 6 year old is speaking against me and my side of the family, saying we are mean people etc for no reason. im sure the mother is putting things into her head so she says bad stuff against me when cafcass speak to my daughter. should i bring this up to cafcass?? however i dont want to make it look like im having a war with the mother, i want to stay child focussed as thats what counts. but i dont want cafcass listning to my daughter thinking the remarks are true and it goes against me....
hi,
you could mention to cafcass that childs behaviour has changed, and making unusual comments. they will speak to your child, so they might hear the same negative comments. I would recommend you complete cafcass parenting plan and mention it in the interview. This will go in your favour and show your being child-focused: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/parenting-plan/
hi,
you could mention to cafcass that childs behaviour has changed, and making unusual comments. they will speak to your child, so they might hear the same negative comments. I would recommend you complete cafcass parenting plan and mention it in the interview. This will go in your favour and show your being child-focused: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/parenting-plan/
thanks bill. i know whats happning, the mother is feeding the kid with negative comments, so when cafcass speak to her the mother hopes the child will say how much of a bad person i am, so it goes against me.
You had cafcass s7 phone call interview? Mine in suppose to be in few weeks. But i was hoping its going to be face to face.
I got two kids aged same as u buddy.
Zero contact in place 😒
yea it was over the phone.
you need to concentrate on getting contact with your kids, why dont you currently have any and how long has it been?
cafcass dont worry about yr needs. they look at the best interests of the kids, so thats the angle you need to focus from. do some courses for single parents etc. show yr making a effort and things you want to do with them, be in their lifes so they know you are there for them etc.
it wont be easy but stick at it.