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Original poster

Exposing Cafcass and the Flying Monkeys

94 replies

SpringMum30 · 20/04/2023 18:13

I don’t know why I was shocked when going through the complaints procedure with Cafcass because my expectations were already low, but they were so dismissive it was almost unbelievable.

I was a victim of coercive control and Cafcass claim to have a protocol to explore this:
-The extent with which these factors remain present in the relationship
-The current risk to victim and child
-The impact on parenting capacity
-The impact on the child
-Mitigating protective factors

The only factor the Cafcass officer explored was:
-The impact on parenting capacity

The Cafcass officer commented that it could ‘impact her emotionally’. Sounds like victim blaming to me! No mention of any other factor. After leaving my ex I’ve had malicious ss referrals, lies about my mental health, the smear campaign, finances withdrawn, belongings withheld etc.He has also caused emotional harm to our children.

When questioning why the Cafcass officer didn’t explore all factors of coercive control she said she didn’t have to! No sweat Sherlock but it’s your responsibility to do your due diligence and to ignore something so significant is negligent at best!

I had a phone conversation with someone who deals with complaints who spent the entire time talking about why I shouldn’t complain and what I could have done before starting the complaints process.

I’m looking into speaking to my local MP to complain to the PHSO to see if I can make any progress that way. I urge anyone else if you can find the strength to take these measure with these shoddy Cafcass reports. They will have to listen eventually. With these new coercive control laws in place they’ll not be able to so easily brush it under the carpet either!

OP posts:
Mum2023 · 18/05/2023 08:17

Yes mines too hence we need to not keep this closed and keep fighting until something is done

bamboonights · 18/05/2023 08:16

Ywudu · 21/04/2023 07:46

Cafcass are judge jury and executioner. The judge does as they say without even listening to the facts. It's pointless fighting it, anything you say is twisted and used against you.

I got a no contact order so I have no vendetta but the bias they carry into every case is a danger to every child who needs protection.

I agree with you regarding their influx on a case. The judge just decided my case based on their reporting. I was utterly mentally beaten down by my exH. Didn't count for anything except he got less than 50:50 contact.

EsmeSusanOgg · 18/05/2023 07:32

SpringMum30 · 21/04/2023 07:43

What an awful experience you have had 😔. I noticed the same perspective. They try to separate the person as a partner and a father. The reality is abusive partners don't make healthy parents. How can you claim to be a good parent whilst emotionally, physically, mentally etc abusing the mother of your child? How is that in their best interest?

Show quote history

100% this. If the reason a relationship has broken down is because of abuse, that should be a factor in what access the abuser gets to any children.

Mum2023 · 18/05/2023 07:27

Has anyone watched dispatch anyone read the guardian article please watch it clearly shows how awful cafcass are my case she is bias and racist. Has taken nothing I’ve said into account but my ex and partner are angels which is the worst part as they have abusing my
children physically and according to cafcass and the lies and the bias account has gone the abuses way. I will never give this give up I will carry on fighting for the Injustice. This is our childrens future and clearly cafcass is tearing families apart and it’s clear in every article internet it’s the same pattern this is not the way to get results as a third party incompetent company who appears the eyes of the law which is deeply concerning. This needs to be taken further.

WilkinsonM · 16/05/2023 06:20

I found out recently that nobody else reads cafcass reports before they get filed. As social workers all our reports are read first by our manager then by our lawyer and quality assured to death before filed, but cafcass officers get to file with nobody reading them. Nobody has oversight or accountability for what is getting filed. It's a disgrace! I've met and known amazing cafcass officers and colleagues who've gone to work for them but also terrible ones and it seems it's total luck of the draw who you get! It should not be this way.

TitaniumTess · 16/05/2023 06:17

Hi all, I've completed the PHSO form and sent it to my MP. I've got a surgery with them at the end of the week. Fingers crossed that they can help me. Xxx

flatpack1 · 14/05/2023 09:23

thisisasurvivor · 11/05/2023 18:58

THE DAMAGE THESE BASTARDS ARE DOING TO ALREADY TRAUMATISED WOMEN AND KIDS

Beyond belief

We also survived as a pp said due to an amazing barrister but the trauma stays with you forever. As another pp said make notes, keep records, record every phone call. They are immoral evil bastards.

Auntie123 · 14/05/2023 09:06

Sorry you're all going through this. My Sister went through the same with Cafcass several years ago, told if she didn't comply with their recommendations they'd give ex full custody of kids, one who years earlier had disclosed sexual abuse and a previous order was for no contact with father until 16. He appealed order about 7 years later. Nieces were old enough to be spoken to, they both expressed they didn't want to see their father, along with some quite dark feelings they associate with him, but despite one being a teenager the other 10 CAFCASS said they lacked capacity to be able to decide and they felt sister had influenced them so their views and wishes were discounted. Resulted in more trauma and depression/decline in MH for kids and sister. She didn't have strength or money to fight decision and was terrified they'd remove kids permanently from her care. There was a damning report published about cafass a year or so later so we hoped for a reform but from all your stories sounds like no changes an no lessons learnt.

Good luck to you all.

Mum2023 · 14/05/2023 08:00

There seems to be a pattern with cafcass read the article on the Guardian about cafcass it’s shocking. Hence we need to make this public so many give up and let them get away with it.

Mum2023 · 12/05/2023 23:35

Let’s all get together and as a unit abs bring them to justice time is now to take action no matter what

TitaniumTess · 12/05/2023 19:53

@Mum2023. I am in.

I am tired....but...I've had enough of the system letting women down. My CAFCASS report was shocking. Even their reply to my complaint report shows how shocking they are. It feels like more abuse to be honest.

Mum2023 · 11/05/2023 23:28

Is there anyone who will help me with making sure cafcass are accountable for there actions scary I no but this needs to be stopped

mummysquasher · 11/05/2023 21:49

When I was going through it I took a lot of strength from "The Court Said" see https://m.facebook.com/ParamilyUK/?_se_imp=2LbR6jZ6HafcvXFyE I'm not sure what they are up to right now but it might be worth linking with rather than starting something new.

The Women's Aid report is worth a read too - linked from this news item https://www.womensaid.org.uk/family-courts-remain-an-unsafe-and-traumatic-place-for-women-and-children/

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See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

https://m.facebook.com/ParamilyUK?_se_imp=2LbR6jZ6HafcvXFyE

Original poster
SpringMum30 · 11/05/2023 21:11

It is something I would consider in the future but I've had to take a mental break just now to process the trauma of 2 years in the family court system 😔

OP posts:
Mum2023 · 11/05/2023 20:13

Would anyone be interested in forming a group and discussing how to complain about cafcass together I’d be happy to meet and maybe get media involved too we need to make this national and protect our children from these people who court sees best interest of our children.

Perpetuallyexhaustedtoddlermum · 11/05/2023 19:19

I'm honestly terrified of dealing with them. My soon to be ex partner is a highly manipulative and devious person who managed to twist both the social worker and the family worker around his psychopathic finger.

Mum2023 · 11/05/2023 19:12

How do we all stop them
for doing this it’s disgusting and traumatising on every level possible

thisisasurvivor · 11/05/2023 18:58

THE DAMAGE THESE BASTARDS ARE DOING TO ALREADY TRAUMATISED WOMEN AND KIDS

Beyond belief

Original poster
SpringMum30 · 11/05/2023 18:57

No because I complained after the final hearing. I wasn't informed that I could complain during the process and this could impact the outcome. I actually thought that it might look negatively on me if I complain like I'm being difficult or argumentative.

It was only after the whole process they said I should have complained sooner! But I was never advised this was an option if I was unhappy with the report.

OP posts:
Mum2023 · 11/05/2023 18:36

Did it help your case when you questioned her ?

Original poster
SpringMum30 · 11/05/2023 18:34

thisisasurvivor · 11/05/2023 18:30

Oh my god

My experience was beyond awful

Why is so many going through this

How to put in a joint complaint?

You have to complain via Cafcass first and then if unsatisfied with the outcome (very likely) you can contact your MP to complain via the PHSO. They'll have to pay attention eventually if multiple complaints are coming through. I would just say as I have mentioned before to take care of your mental health during the process as it can be very mentally and emotionally draining discussing traumatic experiences within the family court.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpringMum30 · 11/05/2023 18:31

mummysquasher · 11/05/2023 18:23

I don't think anything will change till children who have been affected by CAFCASS decisions are of age and launch a class action or call for a public inquiry. I hope things will change before then but I think it is unlikely.

I've heard something about journalists being allowed into the Family Courtrooms from January 2023. Maybe this will help shed some light.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpringMum30 · 11/05/2023 18:30

Mum2023 · 11/05/2023 18:26

How can MPs help? I will get in contact with mines can they help? This should not be allowed people like her should not make any decisions she made me feel like it was an unfit mother for asking my children there wishes I was classed as emotionally abusing my kids however the father openly discussed this with the children and cafcass said nothing so how was that justified?

If you are unhappy with the outcome of a complaint made to Cafcass you can make a complaint to the PHSO via your local MP. www.Theyworkforyou.com. This website can be used to find out who your local MP is. I'm sorry you've had such an awful experience. I have had similar and I made sure to let the Cafcass officer know when she asked for feedback forms!

OP posts:
thisisasurvivor · 11/05/2023 18:30

Oh my god

My experience was beyond awful

Why is so many going through this

How to put in a joint complaint?

SweetSakura · 11/05/2023 18:29

I wish I had had the strength to complain about cafcass.

I am so shocked at how they operate.

No effort to build up a relationship with the child before questioning them. No skill or subtlety in questioning. Placing more value on dad's apparently charming personality that the clear evidence provided (police evidence, medical evidence , disclosures from my son to school teachers). Ignoring the guidelines (pushing me as a victim of a abuse to do mediation with my abuser). Laughing at me when I said I was too afraid to be in a room with my abuser.

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