Exposing Cafcass and the Flying Monkeys

[SpringMum30]

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 After leaving my ex I’ve had malicious ss referrals, lies about my mental health, the smear campaign, finances withdrawn, belongings withheld etc.He has also caused emotional harm to our children.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!

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.

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

Beyond belief

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

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.

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.

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 😔

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/

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

@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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

@TitaniumTess I hope it goes well for you! 🙏🏽 where did you find the form?

I will fight this injustice and bring them to accountability. These are our kids we brought them into this world not the system. How can these ppl
sleep at night I’ve heard so many stories same pattern and I will not go without a fight. I will go to every court but I will
get justice my
childrens future is on the line not theres I hope
to god this happens to them and there loved ones karma will come back never goes unturned.

https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/

@SpringMum30 - here's the link. Hope it helps. X

Perfect thank you xx

Just as an update, my MP read the form....stopped mid-session to tell me how awful the story was, and then signed it, so I've officially submitted the Ombudsman form. X

How did you get your MP to listen ? And can they help on situations like ours ?