Cafcass

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This has probably been done to death but I really need some positive stories about cafcass not being the be all and end all in family court.

I'm filled in a CA1 form as part of court proceedings and detailed harassment, bombarding me with hand delivered letters lurking outside my house, taking DS without consent and not giving him back, telling DS i don't want him. I had my Cafcass phone call today. I wasn't expecting her to pander to me and say how terrible he is, I just expected to be listened to and my account noted.

Instead, she met every concern I raised by countering it with my ex partner's response in a way that went well beyond just encouraging me to self reflect. It got to the point where everything I said was met with an objection that wasn't even your 'ex partner said xyz' but almost posing it as her own opinions. I don't think this was fair at all, not least because she'd spoke to him first so there was no way she could have done the same thing.

When I raised the harassment and stalking she said 'people don't change at that age so you'll just have to accept it'. The only time she expressed any kind of outrage was when I said I occasionally breastfeed when my son (aged just turned 3) is anxious after separation and she told me this is completely inappropriate and unacceptable parenting.

I feel completely despondent know like what's the point of laws and training on subtle forms of abuse when it doesn't matter if people just ignore it or tell you to just accept it. Anyone had any experience of this? Can barristers cut through these assumptions in court? Could I complain? What's best to do?

Thanks

Shplot do you mind me asking how you achieved this?

I have just left an abusive relationship with 1 year old DS. I have been advised not to let him have unsupervised access to DS but I am terrified he will be awarded it. When I was pregnant he repeatedly threatened to take DS away from me as soon as he was born and saying he would get full custody. The police say at the moment they don’t have enough evidence to prosecute.

I would bloody love it if he was banned from contacting us but I suppose it is too much to hope for.

I’ve sent you a message Siablue

Hi,

I'd be really interested in knowing this too if you didn't mind getting in touch. Thanks

Another one here with a negative view of cafcass I’m afraid.
The stalking harassment and domestic abuse towards me was accepted at fact finding but didn’t have an impact apart from neutral hangovers being agreed.
I’m sorry x

@FenellaVelour he didn't have PR. He had previously taken me to court to attempt to get it, but the judge ruled against him on the grounds that the only legal precedent that had been set in the case of a non bio parent being granted PR that he knew of (at the time) was a step father whose wife was terminally ill. Our case was very different.

He was abusive, manipulative and controlling when we were together and always said if I left he would leave me without a stick of furniture, he would turn my family against me and he would use DD in any way he could to hurt me. He said DD would be 'collateral damage' (he was true to his word, btw). She was six by the time we left and he would say these things in front of her. When cafcass questioned her, she told them what she'd heard (and seen).

@GirlAfraid in that case, the court must’ve given him permission to apply and then directed Cafcass to report. I don’t know why they would do that - did the judge explain their thinking at the time?

@FenellaVelour no, not as I recall. It was a bizarre situation all round and the judge at the final hearing said he'd never encountered anything like it.

That sounds entirely illegal then. Unless the court gives express permission, nobody without legal PR can make any application about a child.

My exh had his PR removed mid case but still it dragged on for 4 years...

Still thread still going!!?! Help! But also- I’m taking this theme to press and politics! Any joiners?

You are not alone. They are absolutely failing children. It is a hidden scandal.

Sorry it is not what you wanted to hear.

Come join the campaign

#thecourtsaid

CAFCASS is an appalling waste of tax payers money. My kids are, literally, terrified of them

Yes you can complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. But the only way to challenge the Cafcass Officer’s professional opinion (for example, their views on breastfeeding) is in court. Good luck. Sounds like a frustrating phone call.

My experience of CAFCASS was very negative.

Ex H was neglecting our children during weekend contact - not ensuring they were clean or well fed, allowing them to stay up all night and watch inappropriate films, allowing them to travel in the boot of the car "for fun", gas lighting them trying to poison them against me by making lies up and telling them to swear at me (just the tip of a large iceberg)

When CAFCASS visited him he pulled a few toys out and played with them and proceeded to play the role of a Disney dad, the officer thought he was a wonderful parent and dismissed mine and CAHMS serious concerns aside without a thought. The court followed the CAFCASS recommendation of fri - sun contact eow and extra time in holidays etc.

His behaviour escalated to extremes over the next 12 months, he began engaging in shocking criminal behaviour while DC were in his care so social services thankfully stepping in and stopped all unsupervised contact.

He shortly after that disappeared never to be heard from again. He left behind two now young adults who 14 years later have mental health issues due to the traumatic toxic affects of his behaviour.

I still remember the CAFCASS officers name and her dismissive attitude towards me when I was begging her to withdraw overnight contact. She ignored any and all genuine concerns from both me and other health professionals.

My dil hasn’t seen her kids for 10 months.
She’s also classed as an emotional abuser.
No she’s a loving mother who was trying to protect her children from an abusive father.
They were removed from him for physically abusing his son..he now has them back. It’s been back to court.
Dad still had them.
Judge said it was a hopeless case.
Well you did it judge.

These poor children will never be the same.
They were growing up in a peaceful, loving , calm environment and they’ve been to hell and back.

Support fb mothers unite and #thecourtsaid

I concur with previous posts. Cafcass seem to live and die on the hill of fathers rights. My ex admitted to smoking cannabis daily and paranoid delusions yet they still said unsupervised access. I hold them responsible because neither your solicitor nor the judge will ever challenge them. They should join fathers for justice. They would fit right in.