Section7 report

[Justw0nder1ng]

Just wondered if anyone could tell me how long a section 7 report should be. In total there are 6 pages in mine which seems a little short for a document of this gravity. Can't help but think there are quite a few important points missing!

They don't have to be very long afaik as long as they have all the info in.
Is it a complex case?

Fairly yes. It's not that I particularly disagree with everything in it, it's so vague doesn't address the issues and there is a lot of important info missing. Just seems like the author couldn't be arsed and avoided making any decisions!

That doesn't sound right. I'm not that experienced at them (yet) just read a load.
All the ones I've seen make 'statements' rather than waffle

It doesn't waffle but it seems rushed and almost contradicts itself. Like the kids have an input but should do as they're told!

Without going into too much detail can you say what kind of information do you think was missing and were there any recommendations ? Unless there is evidence from independent professionals teachers, doctor, social workers etc that children are at significant risk the court is more interested in finding solutions and a way forward in the best interests of children rather than focusing on the issues between parents.

medical info missing and no attempt was made to get it (which I was told it would be). I've kept my issues out of the equation as I feel it is about finding arrangements that suit the children. Just feels half hearted and doesn't bring the relevant issues to light. Contact makes kids ill (acknowledged by GP who was waiting for a request for a report that never came) and I know we have to move forward but it needs to be done sensitively.

The first page is usually a cover sheet with everyone's names on etc. So you prob only have five pages of analysis. That is short in my opinion. Has it addressed the welfare checklist in the Children Act? It's not impossible for it to be a good,albeit short report but its unlikely anything under 15 pages is doing its job.

Thanks Spero. It does address the welfare checklist but some of it is one sentences which mean nothing. It just seems too lightweight to address the issues, it barely skims the surface

15 pages is waaaay longer than the ones I generally see.

The cafcass report should state the factual stuff, names, ages, basic info about the parties and the children, then at least touch on each party's version of events and what they hope to achieve.

Then it will talk about the child's ascertainable wishes and feelings (for younger children this may be based on the child drawing pictures of the important adults in their lives etc, for older children, more verbal info).

It should also cover any police/ss/school issues.

Then it should specifically address a checklist of the child's emotional, social, educational and physical needs, and how they are best achieved.

Finally there should be a conclusion with a recommendation re. residence/contact/other aspects of the dispute.

tbf, I generally go straight for the conclusion whenever I get a cafcass report, and often the longer ones are just repeating themselves, so personally I'd rather see a short report which gets to the nub of the problem than 15 pages of waffle.

the worry is that it didn't address police reports and welfare issues with regards to mental health of the children
I don't really have an issue with the conclusion and can see what the cafcass officer is doing. I think we all know that contact is unlikely to work but we have to give it another try and it seems to me the emphasis is on the childrens father to prove himself, it's just the worry of how much more the children are going to suffer
Sorry if being vague-worried about putting anything that might ID me.

If it doesn't address police reports, it is useless.

Mumblechum, I would be fascinated to know how what you list fits into any less than 15 pages. Even a short wishes and feelings report usually has about 5 pages of drawings.

Don't get hung up on length - waffle and repetition are not good. I would rather have 5 pages of good punchy stuff than 50 pages of flab, but something which has already got messy enough to go to court is unlikely to be covered in six pages, however good at précis the author is.

I know cafcass are really overworked and I don't want to get on the wrong side of them and critisice the author but they seem to overlook things and it really worries me.

I've never seen a cafcass report which contains the actual drawings - obv. it depends on local practice.

OP - is it a wishes and feelings report, or a full report? How long was the CAFCASS officer given to produce it?

No we had a w & f way back which was nearly as long as the s7 & recommended indirect contact only. It's been really long and drawn out and the court ordered supervised again even though nothing had improved and father made no effort. That's by the by anyway and we have to deal with what we've got now. Like I say not being critical but it was a bit of a rush job and not alot of time seemed available. It is a fairly unusual case (I'm told) and I really don't think anyone knows what to do with us! The report is loosely worded I would say

but what does it conclude/recommend?
do the recommendations tally with what you feel is in best interest of dc?

If the carcass report is not good and the case is complicated, might be time to try and get a Guardian on board. That means the children would be separately represented.

It recommends facilitated contact. If it can be handled in a way that the dc can feel comfortable with it may work to a certain extent but it is very sensitive and there is alot of damage to undo. If their father carries on behaving as he has it's just going to distress the dc more.
I would like them to have a guardian but I've heard it is difficult to get one appointed.

Who is doing the facilitating? Sounds a bit like wishful thinking! Courts are reluctant to appoint guardians as they are very expensive, but equally, if a case is grinding to a halt I am not sure what other options there are.

A member of my family and then moving to a member of the paternal family. The dc are frightened of the person mentioned from paternal family, I just can't see it working and I'll have to take it back to court. I really get the impression noone knows what to do with us I think a guardian may be the only way.
I just don't see how contact can work now and I'm scared of being blamed for it when it doesn't. I've done everything I can to promote contact btw

realistically would the outcome be any different were the report to be longer/more detailed?

it maybe that you have to go along with what court decides but keep very careful records and make sure gp aware and is kept aware of how dc react?

I think you're right, I don't think it would have changed the outcome. Onus now on father to change. Gp excellent and I've always kept a journal. In court in a couple of weeks so we'll see what happens.
Thanks everyone for your help, it's really helped me to get perspective and I've found your comments very constructive.
If anyone has more advise/info they think might help I'd be really pleased to hear.