Cafcass experience

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Interested to hear views especially from NR separated parents (let's be honest which is mainly Dad's).

Had my cafcass initial interview about two weeks ago by phone. I was going to make it child focused etc per the advice you get but after about 15 minutes of basic info gathering it was a list of allegations. Some serious and some not so much so. Some were at best half truths and some outright lies, the half tries were taken out of context.

I denied the allegations but the Cafcass report read like a list of charges. It acknowledged there was nothing on my record and the only thing that got flagged on their systems was a mid wife referral (based on a conversation with my ex post separation). This referral also criticises her current partner and his ex.

Saw solicitor yesterday and I can tell she's concerned as she acted very differently to other meetings. I think we can easily get a lot of the allegations knocked on the head (such as alcohol dependeny as there is tests to be done) but I'm really concerned that this will set the tone for section 7 report and subsequent hearings. I've kept my counsel for the most part but I know she happily goes up the school bad mouthing me and other care professionals. I realise that in itself will raise eyebrows but am concerned that the tone is now set and it will be difficult to get my side across and agree access.

Has anyone had cafcass experience. From what I've read it doesn't sound like they are really the professional organisation which you'd expect given what they deal with day in and day out.

I only have 3rd hand experience of Cafcass (thankfully) but they seem to be the most inefficient bunch of wasters that exist (even behind the DVLA, BT, the registry office). They only exist to serve themselves. The lies, the missed appointments - I’m shuddering just thinking about it.

In the end in the situation that I knew of they eventually went cold and dropped off radar... this was in a case where they thought 4children were at risk, they were shouting from the rooftops for referrals etc and eventually the letters stopped, they are arseholes.

Hi. Cafcass should do a letter based on the phone interviews and you should get a copy before the hearing. It is usually something people find is not what actually was said or interpreted in a way that you’re not happy with. It sounds like they will probably recommend a section 7 report to look into the allegations. That can be a good thing. Gives you the opportunity to have a proper face to face discussion. Once that is done they usually make a recommendation to the court as to what to order (eg once they find no issues re the allegations). It’s jumping through hoops - get your tears done, any GP letters you need etc and clear yourself re the alcohol allegations.

What Cafcass recommend for the order is invariably what the court will order. But if it is not good then you have the opportunity at final hearing to put the Cafcass officer on the witness stand and have then cross examined - eg if the report is unfair - if they only saw the children with the Mother and not with both parents. And that is then the opportunity to have the Judge overrule and order something better.

Take it one step at a time. What sounds positive is the Cafcass officer says they have already checked you don’t have a criminal record. ThT is a check normally done during a section 7. So maybe they aren’t going to do one. Do you know if they are or not? They are used to some Mothers making allegations whether true or not. First hearing is usually dispute resolution to see if they can get both parties to agree.

Wait and see what the safeguarding letter says. If it recommends a section 7 then things will take longer but eventually you will get a final hearing and can submit evidence with a statement. Evidence can be emails, texts, other things in writing. Eg my partner had evidence of a threat to accuse something which was then carried out. That text was good evidence that the allegation was untrue and the threat was manipulative - ie do this or I’ll do that.

They have to take allegations seriously and look into things in case there actually is any risk to a child. But if they are false allegations this will become clear.

That should say tests not tears.

Hi all I'm new to this so please bear with me. I have been told to attend court because my ex wife is trying to take away my parental rights and make a variation to the CAO I had taken her to court for in 2017. I have had phone interviews with CAFCASS and I'm waiting for the section 7 report to be completed and sent to me. I need some guidance if anyone has been through this. Its putting a lot of strain on myself and my wife, not to mention my kids. (2 from my previous marriage, and 2 from my current marriage. Any help is really appreciated.

Hi James - tbh this part of Mumsnet doesn't get a huge amount of traffic. It's not something I have experienced myself - have you sought any legal advice on it? I'm not sure if there are any relevant sites out there for this sort of thing but it might be worth googling.