I have received a date for a child welfare hearing for my DD. I am the main caregiver and have been for 8 years, nearly 9.
My DDs dad has applied for contact after a period of no contact this entire time period. He has applied for alternate weekends Friday 5pm - Sunday 5pm, time during the school holidays throughout the year and Christmas Day 4pm - Boxing Day 4pm. Also 2 hours on her birthday which will be hard as her birthday always falls during the school term so will be at school during the day. I do not take her out of school for her birthday and don’t plan on doing so.
I have put forward a plan of contact centre for weekly or fortnightly visits to allow them to build a bond or relationship first with reviews in place.
I do have a few questions..
What should I expect from this initial court date? We have an options hearing 10 weeks later.
Will anything be put in place that day?
My child is getting the opportunity to voice her opinion in a form F9
Will he get anything close to what he is asking for? I’m not refusing contact, I’m concerned that this will impact my daughters emotional well-being and I am concerned about her welfare.
I am in Scotland so I don’t know if things are different here. Thank you.