Help - Cafcass report

[Herewegoagain19891]

So a bit of a long story, currently seeking a cao for my 18month old dd.. father has a history of domestic abuse against myself and our dd. This abuse I have evidence of and last time we were in court exp said the incidents I had listed did happened but that I had dramatised it all. Because no safeguarding checks had been completed no order could be made however I did agree to supervised contact At a contact centre, exp dragged his feet and before we even got to a contact centre the covid lockdown happened. Cafcass submitted a report without talking to ex or myself and said an s7 report should be completed and also suggested a fact finding hearing.

Last week I receive a letter from the courts saying there would be a hearing on the papers today, basically no one could be present he was just reviewing the case.. fine. Today I had someone from Cafcass call to say the judge had asked her to call, again no problem, spoke about our history, mentioned him attempting the allegations and my wish for contact to be supervised until exp went on an anger management course and also until dd was slightly older. Then I received an email from the Cafcass officer to myself and exp saying that she had advised the judge that contact should take place with an independent social worker present as she feels some supervised contact is need to confirm whether there is any substance to my allegations and she feels that a report from an isw would be enough evidence for the case the progress safely forwards.

I have no problem with a isw observing contact and reporting, in fact I encourage it, but I don’t understand how a report from an individual proves or disproves my allegations especially when no one has looked over my evidence and exp has confirmed the incidents have happened. I’m now worried they’re trying to push for unsupervised contact without looking properly at the evidence I have, not even a section 7 report as they have said they can’t complete one at the moment. Will I have the opportunity to voice my concerns before unsupervised contact is order? As I’m concerned all of this is being discussed and I have yet to be able to speak with a judge.

I don’t really have any advice, unfortunately, I had found cafcass to be beyond corrupt and am absolutely appalling at doing what’s best for the children. I’m on my second round with them. It’s horrific and every time I see one of their reports I am left completely and utterly baffled by it. I really really hope you have a different experience x

Thank you @namechange, so sorry to hear you haven’t had a good experience with them, it really does seem to be a common theme. Im also hoping it isn’t the case with my situation. I just fail to understand how a isw report from one social worker would be enough evidence to prove if what has any substance. I have evidence, witnesses, exp admitting to allegations surely that should be taken into consideration too. Of course exp isn’t going to abuse dd in front of a social worker, he is abusive not stupid. I have no doubt he will come close to losing his temper but if it’s minimal contact it the chances are lower.

@Herewegoagain19891

I have recently taken our situation back to court as I needed a specific issue order (because we have court ordered 50/50 much to my disgust, and therefore neither parent can make any bloody decision about our kids) I also asked to amend the order, I’ve paid for this shit, and it’s turned into a fucking circus, this was in September last year, we’re not due back until late June and even then, none of the issues I have raised will have even been considered because he’s swayed the focus elsewhere with his bullshit! It’s mind blowing, it’s exhausting, and I honestly feel I will be controlled and my children will be emotionally abused for the rest of our lives, and it all have been confined by the powers that be. God. I really really wish I had more positive support to provide you with, but it’s a scary, horrible process it really is 😔

Condoned by the papers that be, I mean x

Ffs.

Condoned by the powers that be.

Has he got any other history or been violent any charges or any police involvement even times you had to call the police. I can't sing my caffcass works praises enough my ex is violent and my 3rd caffcass report came yesterday with indirect contact recommendations for court tomorrow. I asked for all police history to be looked into but he has not done anything the court has asked him to do. What ever evidence you can get together even txt messages it's all important to back you up.

@Herewegoagain19891 it doesn't sound to me like they want unsupervised and it wouldn't go to unsupervised with domestic abused involved anyway, sounds to me like when you said the want a social worker present it's to see how DD is with him if there has been abuse from him to child they will want to see DD's behaviour around him.