Cafcass section 7

[frozen10]

I have an appointment with Cafcass next week for them to prepare section 7 report. Its regarding a move from UK to European city. My DS who is 7yo and I will be interviewed. I've written a statement setting out how I would maintain contact with the father in UK and why the move is positive etc. Can someone tell me how I can prep my DS for the interview, will I be present in the room (can I insist to be) and equally any tips on what I should say. I know I criticising the father would be detrimental. Despite him being really useless over the years ! Thank you !

Cafcass usually talk to children alone, without any parents present.

You should not prep your son for the interview. Cafcass want to determine his wishes and feelings. They don't want to hear anything that sounds like you have told him what to say. If they do that could go against you.

What does your son already know about your proposed move? That will have a bearing on how to explain the visit to him.

Has the Court directed your statement to also set out your reasons and proposals for the move, your child’s education, health, accommodation and how you will finance it? The Cafcass worker will want to know all of this.

They will want to speak with him alone in a neutral venue, as otherwise the report can be challenged on the basis that your son has been influenced by you being present or within the home.

Thanks. Yes cafcass have my statement which sets all of this out. I really would like to know the questions they will ask me so I can prepare for the interview and have confidence when I respond. I'm feeling really in the dark and would really appreciate if anyone has example questions . Thanks !

It really depends - if you’ve covered everything in your statement it is likely to just be anything they need to be clarified. The court order will set out what the S7 needs to cover, and the Cafcass officer will need to ensure they have enough information to answer these points. Much of the information they need from you should already be set out within your statement. If so, your interview is not likely to be overly long or onerous. They may want to explore the impact upon you (and thus your son) if the court does not agree to the move, for example... what that would mean for you both.

Thank you ! My statement is detailed but as I'm not reading it with their 'eyes' I don't know what questions they will ask. It's like giving me an engineers CV and I would have no idea on questions what would be asked at interview (I'm not an engineer).
I want to make sure in use and practice using positive words, etc.

My children were interviewed alone. I did not tell or prep them beforehand in case it went against me.

That said the report was predominantly in my favour however it was fairly inaccurate so it does make me question how scary some cases must be when built on fabricated reports ?

I dont think anyone can tell you what they will ask as everyone will be asked different questions.

I had to tell my son the potential that we are moving countries and had that chat a couple of weeks ago. My solicitor advised to do this before cafcass interview. I thought if someone had been in similar situation they could share with me the questions the mother got asked

When we had this (DH ex w wanted to move abroad with their dc) the children were interviewed at both their mums and our house.
At the mums they were asked what they would look forward to about moving (new experiences, warm weather near the sea etc) and what they would not like. (Losing school friends, missing dad and me etc )..

Judge was VERY clear to them both in court that they must not coach them.

In our case the 'leave' to remove from the UK was refused as we had 'regular and effective' contact and their mother was moving them without proper planned educational options.. also not going to a home where she had previously lived in order to get support from extended family (a common reason to allow these requests) but to live with her new husband who worked out there.

So a lot hinges on WHY you moving your child from his fathers contact is worth it to your child ? It ALL hinges on your child's best interests .

Thanks , that's useful. I will have to let my son know about the interview and that he will be asked questions by a lady. When I said 'prep' I meant, how much do you talk about the interview before the hand? So far, I've not mentioned he interview. How old were your DH kids ?

I would just tell him that there’s a lady (assume it’s a woman) who’s trying to help mum and dad sort out what’s going to happen and a part of that is finding out how he feels about it so she’s going to come and see him and have a chat about it. No need to say more than that, really.

At the time Frozen10 they were 12,10, 7 k 5

Thanks again ! Did the matter go to court or did you resolve out of court ? I don't know anyone who has gone through something similar , hence all the questions...

CAFCASS officers are very experienced in interviewing children. They don't need them "prepping". Please don't try.

To me prep would mean telling them that me one is going to ask them some questions about how they feel as they are to tell the lady/ man what they feel and no what they think someone else wants them to say.

Someone Doh.

Is that sort of thing ok? Autistic children need things explained a Bit more.

I just said someone would be talking to them about their thoughts and feelings.

To me prep would mean telling them that me one is going to ask them some questions about how they feel

It is generally nothing like that direct.

With younger children they might give them cards with different faces (happy, sad, etc.) for the child to put next to each person in their life. They might ask the child to draw pictures of their family or places they go and discuss the pictures with them. With older children they might ask them to list the people and things that are important to them.

Autistic children need things explained a Bit more

If a child has ASD you can ask for a Cafcass officer with experience of ASD.

It really should not be necessary to prep children for a Cafcass interview in any way. If you have any doubts you should contact the Cafcass officer and ask for guidance.

Yes, it’s best not to tell children someone is going to ask them questions. As prh says it’s not as direct as that. I remember one scared looking little boy who told me his parent has said I was coming to interview him 😳 after I quickly explained we were just going to have a chat he relaxed a bit, but poor soul had been worrying about it all morning. I’ve set out above what I would say to a child in most cases, and it’s also what I’ve advised parents to say when they’ve asked me.

If a child has ASD then yes it’s best to have an officer with experience, and if it was me I’d also be having conversations with parents (and sometimes school staff) in advance about that specific child’s needs, what support they might need, and what might be the best way to communicate with them. But it’s best for parents not to prep beyond doing what is needed to ensure the child knows someone is coming to see them and, loosely, why.

I really appreciate everyone's comments. I'll go for saying a 'chat' about their thoughts and feelings about family. Should I even say it's about the potential move ? Or not ?

Without this forum , I'd be in the dark ! Thank you 🙏

What are your actual reasons OP ? Are you going for work ? Family ? Without knowing what your reasons are and how much your child sees dad currently.. it's very difficult to advise.