Section 16a Children's Act - Risk Assessment

[johnworf]

We've today been informed that my DH's ex is to have one of these done on her by CAFCASS. Could anyone shed any light on what's involved or are they what it says on the tin?

Not sure what sort of things they take into consideration although her criminal record has already been disclosed in court (to my DH) and they are about to apply to her GP to look at her medical history.

TIA

it is a risk assessment which is done if there is thought to be a risk of harm to a child, for example because of neglect or violence within a relationship. CAFCASS are under a duty to carry one out if they think there is cause for concern

Thank you.

Obviously there have been incidents in the past which have prompted this action. There have been incidents of neglect and harm albeit emotional. She has alcohol problems and some mental health issues. She is already known to social services and has had her other children on the 'at risk' register in the past. She also has a social services recommendation that she must not have him unsupervised.

At present she is not allowed any access until the CAFCASS report has been presented to the court. Not sure what will happen after that.

What are the court proceedings about?

She hasn't seen him since the last incident August 2010. Although she had a court order for every other weekend contact at her house, this was revoked when she decided to go on a 2 week drinking binge, dragging herself to hospital with DSS in tow and social services becoming involved. This is one incident in a long line of them, all of them involving DSS.

She is trying to gain contact once again with him which is why DH went to court and why the risk assessment has been requested. DH has agreed to supervised contact should the court wish to grant it but at the moment, she has not seen him for 11 months.