Understanding CAFCASS

[Ozziewoz]

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently involved in an Arrangements order. My Ex has applied for contact even though I was taking the children to see him weekly, and often more. He wanted the children every other weekend, however lives in one room, one bed. There has been many instances of inappropriate behaviour with the children, some of a sexually inappropriate nature. First court date happened and court did not allow him any contact pending further court dates. Caffcass were involved. No one has met my children, spoken to their school etc. The 2nd court case is in 2 weeks, yet Caffcass have closed their involvement. My solicitor is surprised, and we were expecting a fact finding request at the next court date. Is this normal? My son is 5 and has autism, so it's not a case of just packing him off for the weekend. He needs a variety of measures in place etc. I was just hoping that more checks would be done to establish my children specific needs.

Have you had the CAFCASS letter to the court on safeguarding?

@MrsBertBibby Thanks for replying. I haven't received a letter yet. I did manage to speak to my Caffcass lady on Monday, since my post, and she has explained that they have only closed as they have completed their initial report, asked for by the judge. My case was also referred up to District Judge. Cafcass have explained that at my next court date on 23rd March, the District Judge will give new direction, and so Cafcass will then get involved again for Fact Finding. This is what I want to happen, for obvious reasons. My Ex has regularly changed his story and has now made hideous false allegations. I'm not at all worried about his allegations, as I've already provided evidence to show he's lied. I just want whats best for the children, and was really worried that without Cafcass involvement throughout, this would be impossible to determine.
It's really hard trusting people who have never met the children to determine whats best for them, so in my view, more checks done, the better. I know Cafcass have a lot of bad press, but the lady I have seems lovely and very switched on.

That sounds fine. They may have decided not to share the safeguarding letter as it may contain material they want the Judge to see first.

Thank you @MrsBertBibby. I feel as though I can trust my Cafcass lady. I know they get a lot of bad press, but I really don't believe that an organisation really just don't bother doing their due diligence etc when it comes to safe guarding children. I have every faith. I'll just be so glad when it's all over. I must say however that I am shocked at the fact that people can make very knowingly false accusations in a family court regarding a childrens well being and literally not get prosecuted for it. I had thought that in all courts, you had to tell the truth or it was an offense.