Cafcass and right to know about nrp other children

[Dontunderstand1]

My husband has been going through courts now for three years to see his elder children.

We had early help involvement last year regarding some family issues (nothing bad, I just wanted support at the time and we are now discharged) .

Naturally a few months back cafcass wanted a report about my husband. All done, dusted. Was a nice report.

Months later, they are now requesting to know their opinion on my sons potential sen, and my daughters health issues. (Both under 5, health issue is nothing that would raise potential red flags) . Also if I have suffered from depression and if I am being treated for it.

I am perplexed as to a) how they got this information to begin with b) annoyed, as due to the ages of his eldest, and the potential parental alienation at play. Since this case started his elder two have changed their stance on him, and us as a family to what it originally was in the first documents. To wanting zero contact. Due to this and now their ages being at an age court will listen, cafcass are advising indirect regardless with just my husband.

So why? I don't feel comfortable with my children's medical history somehow being shared without my knowledge. As I assume either larent would have had to sign that off? Nor how its relevant to this case.

And more importantly, his ex is high conflict and has been known to not keep things confidential and gloat on fb or similar.

I don't post anything about my children online, personal or photos. And I do not trust her to see this information as anything other than a stick to beat my family with. Which is a common theme in all areas.

Is this ethical? Is this justified?

Just a quick reply but cafcass can probably access early help or social work records without consent so that's likely where that's from perhaps.

Thank you. This would make sense.

I'm honestly unbothered if they need it for a report. Albeit a bit vexed i guess?! I just want to be assured this information will be kept confidential from ex. Or at least direct things regarding me or my babies. I have nothing to hide, I just don't see why she would need to know. Due to the unfortunate situation of now wanting no contact anyway. If contact was a possibility then I'd completely understand.

This should 100% be kept confidential so I would ensure your legal representation is aware of this so they can put in place what they need to do that your information is protected.

Children of the family is a term used within court /Cafcass. Your dh's dc will be recognised as having siblings. That relationship should be taken into consideration when making arrangements for his dc...

In regards to your information they will likely want to ensure that any assessment is complete because at any point in the future contact may process to your home and you may meet the children so at least all areas have been covered in terms of your family home being safe and secure which it is. It benefits your husband in that his current family setup with you is good.

I'm more than happy for them to have it. Truly and I do hope it helps him. I just feel uneasy that outside of early help letting me know, as its been raised throughout the process that she is a very difficult person and has been very hostile that cafcass didn't inform my husband so he could say "thats fine, but please don't share any information with ex". Maybe they were planning on not regardless. But hearing it like that has made us feel quite uncomfortable over what or how his ex would act with that information. As it would be somehow used against him or twisted into something awful. Ie "even his wife suffers from depression. He caused it! Even his son has issues, he must have caused it!" When its nothing of the sort.