Hi
me and ex had our interviews with cafcass. previously i had a fact finding and no findings were made against me.
in the cafcass interview i focussed on how to best manage and share responsibility of the kids, my ex focussed on making allegations against me to cafcass. including talking them through her fact finding statements trying to prove how bad i was etc. the court order even says cafcass are to proceed on the basis no finding were made.
my concerns are that the cafcass officer kept talking to me about what my ex was saying about me and the tensions and hostility. im concerned the cafcass officer will go against me. what can i do if this happens? i have the kids every weekend for about 7 hours, but no overnight stays. there are no safeguarding concerns around the kids with me.
Hi
I'd continue to maintain a child focused stance.. When asked by CAFCASS about the allegations I would respond with that I'm unsure why ex is continuing with this line other than being hostile and hold the line from the court which is that there have been no findings against me. Eg I'm unsure why my ex has said that, as confirmed by the court there have been no findings against me and that Cafcass would need to go back to ex to clarify further. . You cant comment on things that just haven't happened or have not been found against you.
Whilst it could be that the CAFCASS officer may be influenced, there have been many posts on this forum where CAFCASS represent the allegations to see how you respond and whether you respond negatively or continue to remain child focused.
Ultimately if the CAFCASS officer is influenced then at tour next hearing you would need to tie up with the first hearing that had no findings against you and you are unsure why and what has changed other than the other party continuing to focus on hostilities and allegations rather than being child focused.
Are Cafcass doing a full Section 7 Report or an addendum?
It's important to take the line of the court as stated above, but don't place too much importance on what Cafcass say, it's what their recommendations in their report say that matters.
If they produce a report that entertains the other parties allegations even after no findings are made, the court are likely to largely ignore this & you will have an opportunity to contest this if you get to a full and final hearing.
they are doing a full section 7. i also have a DRA and final hearing in a few months.
its been hard to tell if cafcass are being neutrel. i patiently await the report now, as they have interviewed me and the ex, then onto final hearing.