CUSTODY AND MENTAL HEALTH

[JG77]

HI I am currently going through court to away with my son for a better life my sons dad has not been involved with my son whos now 7 through his own choices. He has now put an order in stating that I am mentally ill and i cannot look after my son. and he wants him to live with him permanently my son doesnt refer to him as dad. Ive had to get a letter from my GP for the court to see regarding my mental health. I have suffered with depression in the past and self harmed taking too many paracetamol but I put this was a cry for help down to the abuse i receiving from my sons father he was stalking me. this was in 2016 and now we are in 2018 since hes been given warning from the police he stopped harassing me and my life has been alot better and ive had no depression. He knows that i self harmed in the past hes using this to try take my son away from me. He has been on a rehabilitation program after suffering PTSD and he has tried killing himself by stabbing himself and throwing him self in front of a car. Im scared that the court are going to take my child away what is the likely hood of this? social services have been involved only due to his PTSD and that he was a risk and for me to stop contact with him and my son. Im trying to move on with my family and move to a better place for my son to be brought up and hes doing this out of pure selfishness to stop us bettering ourselves and hes not genuine about my sons welfare

[mintkat]

Talk to women’s aid or family rights group?

[JG77]

I haven't tried those I will look into that.
Im representing myself and have no lawyer so Im finding it hard to try and make sure I get my Points across to the judge and scared the judge wont understand.
Thankyou.

[Aprilmightbemynewname]

Are cafcass involved? Can you get back up statements from your dc school? Health visitor?

[JG77]

Thanks for the reply. Cafcass are involved and they did a safeguarding report but the judge didnt have it at the first hearing he received it the day after. The reports say Im known but Im not a risk and that my ex is known and there are risks, I just wish the judge had this on the day! The judge has asked for them to do a section 7 report which takes 10 weeks more in depth report so my next court date is at the end of June Cafcass are meant to be arranging to do home visits. I have asked the school but they havn't done a statement yet so will ask them again ive not seen a health visitor since my son was a baby. I have tried to call a womens group in my area but will take them a while to get back to me. Id been to the doctors today for them to write the letter explaning my mental health for the court I wouldnt say Im depressed any more and havnt been since mt ex was around. I really dont want the judge to see me as something im not Ive looked after my son solely since his birth with no risks and hes everything to me I would never put him in any kind of danger.

[Aprilmightbemynewname]

Have you someone who can write you a good character reference? Work colleague /long term friend?
Make sure when you read the cafcass report you query anything that isn't true /correct - however small. Be honest with your legal representative. And best of luck.

[JG77]

Yes I do, I will get that done thankyou. I have seen stuff thats isnt correct in the Cafcass report so I will mention it to them.
Thankyou again

[DancingLedge]

Women's Aid 08002000247

You could also try posting on Legal board if you have specific questions about evidence, courts etc.
Good luck