CAFCASS section 7 report - conflicting results kids views ignored

[Anothermother70]

My husband applied for a shared care arrangement my child are all teenagers so the court ordered a section 7 report. The children all said they wanted contact to remain the same alternate weekends, share of holidays and 2 evenings per week. Section 7 report also confirms this is what the children told them but they have recommended another overnight contact per week. I am confused what is the point asking for their wishes and feelings if the recommendations go against this? Is this just to keep the father happy and sit on the fence. They did not recommend shared care as we don't speak?..

The children's views are taken into account but that doesn't mean the court will do what the children want. However, it is unusual for the court to go against the wishes of teenagers.

Does the report explain why their wishes should not be followed?

You don't have to do as the cafcass officer says and nor does the judge.

The cafcass officer says although the children have said they are happy and settled with the current arrangement they are recommending a trial of another night taking the whole case into account and that perhaps the children are saying they want to keep it the same because they don't want to upset either parent? But if it doesn't work revert back to the current arrangement. I have suggested the children try an extra night. But they are not stupid and one of them said - no as if we try it we will be made to do it and we don't want to

Well that doesn't sound like a great piece of reasoning if that's it. And surely they are upsetting their dad by saying no change?

What benefit does the cafcass officer see from changing the arrangement? Have they identified any positive benefit?

Eow and 3 nights a week would presumably mean the balnce had shifted to more time with dad than with you, wouldn't it?

No mention of any benefit and she suggested they have had enough change and as teenagers may want less overnights in the future? So we will just be back where started - dad saying report agrees he should have more time and me saying but thats not what the children want!?