CAFCASS advice

[mummybearsolo]

I've got a CAFCASS telephone interview next week and really worried about it. Wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect?

My partner left me when I was 32 weeks pregnant with our 2nd daughter. Our first is 2 years old. My baby is now 3 weeks old. Got so much to deal with right now, it's unbelievable.

He's always been very controlling and there have been several incidents where the police have been called fir domestic abuse reports. I now have a non molestation order on him (which he is contesting in court separately). I have never stopped him from seeing our 2 yr old, infact there are several times I have tried to arrange contact with him and he has not responded or not turned up. But he has applied for the child access without mediation on the grounds that I refuse him access??? I was in hospital giving birth when he applied so missed the window to appeal.

Strangely he has only applied for access on our first daughter. He has now asked for dna test on our second daughter which is ridiculous but I can't help but wonder if this is since we got diagnosis of Down's syndrome. He's completely lost the plot with demands he is making and I worry about his erratic behaviour. He's always been a big drinker and I do have suspicions that he's on drugs too as I know his friends definitely do.

I just don't know what else to do right now.

Hey

First of all, massive congratulations on your baby.

Whilst I want to reassure you - I don't have a great experience of Cafcass (from 12 years ago) but I can tell you it isn't as scary as it seems.

Courts will be understanding that you've just had a baby and missed deadlines for things.

Do you have a solicitor?

They just want to find out what your views and experiences are on things - it's good you've got the non mol order. Any other evidence?

They'll look at what you have to say. What he has to say. Any other outside agencies like police, nursery etc and then make a report. That's it. The court normally goes with the report recommendations.

Are you breast feeding?

Thank you. I have a great solicitor (very expensive but worth it I think). I've lots of evidence, like police reports, screen shots and emails that I've been sent. He refuses to pay half for nursery, he took the family car, and cut off our internet and electricity. He also smashed up my phone , and has been verbally abusive in front of my daughter. I just worry because he's claiming that it's me that abused and intimidated him. I don't see how they can review evidence if it's only a telephone conversation? Do they ask you to submit evidence afterwards? Xx

Write a bullet pointed list of important FACTS. Try and keep emotions out of it.
Offer copies of relevant documents /emails /texts /witnesses to abuse.
Register baby without him on the bc. He can apply for PR but may not bother.
Claim Cms for both dc. He doesn't have to be on the bc to have to pay.

Thank you, I'll do that today. I'm not going to put him on the birth certificate of my baby as he's demanding the DNA test. I didn't know I could still claim maintenance if he's not on the certificate? He doesn't seem interested in her at all (probably due to diagnosis) he just wants our 2 yr old 😡. Thank you for your help xx

Cms will write to him assuming the dc is his and charge him accordingly for the 2 dc. He is allowed to instruct them to arrange testing. When he is proved to be they add those costs to his bill!!

I had the phone call from Cafcass saying that the person meant to be interviewing me was off sick so could I submit my answers through email which I have. I have just been emailed my ex'e interview questions and he has accused me of physical violence, restricting his visits and telling lies to nursery about him! Surely he needs to show proof of all this? I have a non mol against him and had police out 3 times due to him being verbally abusive and threatening to me! They've also said that I have not submitted my interview questions, but I have. Weirdly his cafcass report only came through at 23:30? I can't believe he is making up so many lies! He's not paid his child maintenance, he's refusing to pay his half of the mortgage and he's given nothing toward our new baby. I don't know how much more I can take