Strictly speaking a statement isn't necessary at the first hearing. It is usual to meet with CAFCASS before the appointment with the judge to try and find if any agreement can be reached. If there is no agreement the judge then directs what information is required to assist him/her in making a decision at a future hearing and sets a timetable.
When children are surviving satisfactorily there is a reluctance to upset their sense of security and established bonds by changing the status quo. Any time to be spent with a parent who has been absent for some time will be introduced gradually, possibly starting off with indirect contact by post, phone and or internet. Only after a few months would the parent meet the child for a short time supervised and then, as long as the parent remains committed, on their own. The time would be gradually extended to a few hours, half a day a full day and eventually overnights.
Residence orders determine where a child shall live. A sole residence order is usually only granted in favour of one parent when for one reason or another there is evidence that it is inappropriate for a child to live with the other parent. You would need to show facts and evidence that your daughter is at risk of not being returned. It is open for either parent to apply for residence during children proceedings
These days the outcome of many residence orders is shared residence when a child lives some of the time with both parents. It is possible the father intends to make an application for residence in the hope he is awarded shared residence sometime in the future. Some judges award shared residence to underline the importance of both parents whilst others think the interests of children are best served living in one home. Recently one judge said shared residence is just symbolic and awarded the father SR so now the child "lives" with him 2 hours a fortnight in a contact centre.
A decision about applying for residence doesn't have to be made just now, it is open to either parent to apply during proceedings. The hearing coming up is for contact and I would focus on proposals of how this can be introduced over a few months with a review at the end. If you have evidence that the child is likely not to be returned after contact you can ask for it to take place in a contact centre. However, be aware that good contact for children ultimately relies on parents learning to work together and applying for residence or insisting on a contact centre can be very destructive in the long term.