i will echo what Yoda says regarding CAFCASS...ask them to amend the factual errors and then challenge their report in court. having a go at them will really not go well in your favour.
i made several official complaints over errors in report, brought to their aattention contradictions in their reporting etc... asked that they asign the previous case worker back to the case as they had more experience of this case over the years....all to no avail
i contacted the parlimentary ombusmand too....all they do is say the case worker followed the rules set down by CAFCASS and government.
its a government organisation....you won't get anywhere going after them!
oh and in my case the courts feel it's better this latest case worker stays invoved for now as my (Child) has seen them a couple of times in the last 2 yrs so less worrying for (child)
Hi All,
I saw my children they were so happy to see me. Of course my youngest was confused for the first minute as she didn't know what was going on to be honest (probably fed loads of [censored] by the mother as illustrated in the section 7 report).
What still sticks in my head is the CAFCASS officer specifically saying these words in her report:
"it is hoped that the father will be able to ensure the children's needs are paramount and contact is not used to pusue further conflict, I do however remain concerned that there are a number of unresolved adult issues"
Yes there are unresolved issues like the mother trying to do a runner with the children + other stuff... against the mother and not me, all of my issues are not guilty. However, does the CAFCASS officer have a right to say that she hopes I do not use contact to pursue further conflict?? What a crazy thing to say seen as I have not seen them for the last 9 months. How can someone make such an inference, her professional opinion has no basis.
Hi
I think you need to let some of this go and focus on moving forward. You will have ample opportunity to challenge all of this in statements and cross-examination at the appropriate time.
It's great that you have seen your children, and that is what matters here at this moment in time.
It is very easy to have certain points sticking in your head, but my advice remains the same. Focus on your time with the children, ask Cafcass to correct factual errors, and deal with everything else at the hearing.
Unfortunately, there are good and bad Cafcass officers, and good and bad reports. Overall, it is the recommendations that count, and you are entitled to a fair hearing to challenge anything you disagree with or can prove otherwise.
Hey GladDad, just as a point. You don't need to give the section 7 report to the centre I'm sure. They are just interested in the most recent court order.
Cafcass base their findings and s7 report on practically 1 conversation with each parent and ultimately the Judge can see within the report what is relevent and what is not.
Thanks and all the best
Yasser
I hadn't picked up your point to Yasser. Please do not send court papers to the contact centre, They are not party to proceedings, there is no need for them to see the report. Court matters are of the utmost confidentiality and you should not discuss them or share paperwork to anyone else without the courts express permission.
Yes there are unresolved issues like the mother trying to do a runner with the children + other stuff... against the mother and not me, all of my issues are not guilty. However, does the CAFCASS officer have a right to say that she hopes I do not use contact to pursue further conflict?? What a crazy thing to say seen as I have not seen them for the last 9 months. How can someone make such an inference, her professional opinion has no basis.
With regards to the comment about using contact to hopin you do not "use contact to pursue further conflict" .... my ex has tied to say i did this every time i saw my (child) by saying that my (child) "allegedly" would go home and say that i'd been saying bad things about the ex.....where as the truth was the ex was never ever talked about or ever came up in conversations with my (child)
She was someone we just never needed to discuss but my ex loved to keep saying it to CAFCASS and they would then say to me that i shouldn't talk about my ex or court procedings with my (child) to which i replied always with the truth....i never talk about ex or court when with child as we are too busy enjoying our limited time together to even think about her or court.just stick to the truth....eventually it will be seen by the courts.....it just takes longer with some cases than others depending on judges and cafcass officers so it seems!
yasser my supervised repaort were all very good and infact saying the mother was very procontact, , very
Hi All, i know this thread is a bit old, but hoping i could get some help.
I initially had my fact finding which my ex was caught out lying on so many things. only one point the judge said I may be guilty as she presented a bruise which was not done my me but when she fell over. ITs been nearly 2 years and my ex has been delaying things and then courts dates have been cancelled.
cafcass was asked to a section 7 report. however as many have mentioned it was very bias and she completely missed many points mentioned by the judge and the fact shes been lying though out the 2 years. 2 years ago when my ex left with my kids she told the social services independently how im fine with the kids and how they've had a good upbringing.
obviously now in the child case shes completely changed her tune and said I hit the kids and been hot tempered. completely untrue. the social services also interviewed the schools who said how i was a concerned very hands on father always kept up with parents evening. the last ring video of the night my ex took the kids it shows how my sons been looking for me , asking about me as well. in the Cafcass interview my son said he doesn't want to see me and rips up my cards i send via indirect contact. the cafcass women has completely ignored the social services report on me (school and even what my ex said then), the judge mentioning my ex lying but instead has favoured by ex and what she is saying now.
she has mentioned that me and my ex need to do the SPIP course but believes i should have contact with the children as some point at a cafcass contact centre. even the judge after the 2 day fact finding mentioned that he doesnt see me as a risk to my children.
I have the children's hearing, and the cafcass s7 report will be read out. just wanted to know whats the best way to tackle this, its like everything thats happened in the draining 2 days fact finding has been ignored by her and cafcass has decided on everything in a 30min interview.
thanks
first of all remain calm. the cafcass report can be challenged in court. let them make errors and lies. ask your barrister to cross examine them in court, if they cant be cross examined in court ask for the judge that they respond to questions via a written letter for the next hearing. it happened to me, and in the end cafcass changed their opinion because they were clearly caught out, and things went my way.
in the end cafcass need to provide a reason for the decisions if its questionable. keep it short and to the point. in my final hearing cafcass couldnt attend court, but the judge put in a order that they send a written response to my barristers question within a week.