Cafcass s16a

[RosieY5]

Hi all

I posted a few weeks ago concerning my partner and step children - have been in court recently - step child’s new step father is not allowed to see his own children unless supervised once a fortnight - he’s currently undergoing CAO as he’s been found to have been involved with DV and drinks exessively with mother - courts have said he should go on courses to change his behaviour and still poses a risk of harm - back to our case - a judge has ordered a cafcass s16a on the step father and mother has signed a court order to say step father won’t be left unsupervised with child - I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with a s16a report ? What does it entail ? There are a few police incident reports we know about so will these be disclosed ?

Thanks for your help

It means that the children have now been joined as parties in the proceedings. Their interests will be represented by their CAFCASS guardian, who will instruct a solicitor to act.

The Guardian will be able to do much more than they can do in a CAFCASS report.

Police information should be obtained, but you'll need an order for that.

Thank you.

We have been through cafcass S7 so know what that entails - just unsure what this was - yes we have a court order allowing for police information on step father (and others involved) to be released - was unaware that cafcass would appoint a guardian to LO - The courts have ordered cafcass to report within next 14 days so hopefully we will have an answer soon and get LO out of any risks

16a is a risk assessment. From what you have said it will focus on his history of DV and drinking and exploring what risks it poses to the children.

Thanks - step father is currently only allowed to see his children once a fortnight for one hour with supervision as courts ruled he posed moderate to serious risk of harm to his own kids and ex wife - Mother is refusing to acknowledge any risk and says he is wonderful and the police have misunderstood him !