Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Original poster

Cafcass telephone interview

12 replies

number1daddy · 22/05/2016 14:16

Hi.

What happens at the cafcass telephone interview does people know. It's 30 mins apparently and them two weeks after its the first hearing.

Thanks

OP posts:
Fourormore · 22/05/2016 16:11

Pretty basic really - confirming details, asking you about what you think the problems are. Just keep it all child focused, don't criticise your ex.

Original poster
number1daddy · 22/05/2016 19:35

Thanks. Will cafcass know of previous court orders and reports as my ex's application that section had been left blank

OP posts:
Fourormore · 22/05/2016 20:19

Not necessarily, no.

starry0ne · 24/05/2016 14:54

I had CAFCASS interview on the phone....She was very happy I didn't want to discuss my ex in front of DS and was very accommodating. I told her my concerns mostly the stuff I had back up evidence and told her this. I also pointed out he had lied on court form. She said she expected it wasn't clear due to having previously having supervised contact. So took information.. I also challenged her on a caution for assault not been relevant as it was against me while DS was in my arms...

I was well aware of her power was very respectful..Talked about concerns for safety and regular contact and how that was affecting my child. Not about what a waste of space his dad was..

By the end of the phone call she agreed she would be recommending no contact without psychiatric or psychologist report but needed to speak to ex... After conversation with ex family member she phoned me back to tell me ex was withdrawing and she would complete report and it would be kept on file..

My advice they like facts..Deal in facts esp ones you can back up.

Original poster
number1daddy · 24/05/2016 17:54

Well had my interview. Last some time as I had a lot to say. Cafcass were prepared to listen to everything and very supportive. No mention of changing court order as it appears they knew very little about the previous case.

It's due to be heard by a magistrate but cafcass agreed only a judge should deal with it.

All in all case is far more complex than they were lead to believe

OP posts:
Fourormore · 24/05/2016 17:59

There's a post here about gatekeeping and getting the case heard by the appropriate level of judge - thecustodyminefield.com/failures-judicial-case-allocation-and-gatekeeping/

3xcookedchips · 25/05/2016 10:48

By the end of the phone call she agreed she would be recommending no contact without psychiatric or psychologist report but needed to speak to ex...

Either she was telling you what you wanted to hear(unprofessional or reckless) or she's an unprofessional and reckless officer who thinks its possible to make recommendations from a one sided telephone interview...either way, that's cafcass for you...

starry0ne · 25/05/2016 11:55

Either she was telling you what you wanted to hear(unprofessional or reckless) or she's an unprofessional and reckless officer who thinks its possible to make recommendations from a one sided telephone interview...either way, that's cafcass for you...

Nope she wrote it in the report and never spoke to ex... I had enough evidence to say that my ex was a huge risk to my ds... She said the judge did not have to listen to her but rare they didn't... I had factual evidence written by professionals...

LouLoo77 · 14/08/2019 15:58

Hi, I have my first cafcass telephone interview tomorrow. My ex is taking me to court for access after no contact for a year, despite being advised by a solicitor previously. I have social workers, family support workers, relate counsellor, kids counsellor, domestic abuse support centre, school police logs and my own police logs all suggesting concern for the kids welfare around my ex. He is a very clever man, ex military with a ptsd diagnosis enabling him to claim a war disablement pesion. He was awarded this after a 45min consultation with an army psychatrist, of which I know he prepared himself for by educating himself with the symptoms. My worry is that he can talk them around, he has a very high opinion of himself and believes his 27 year army career makes him a better person than anyone else. Has anyone ever had a similar situation? tia

Mj1214 · 17/09/2019 19:33

Hi, I'm due a cafcass call/visit soon. Is there any advice or key words/phrases I should be aware of. I'm no good at this kind of thing and I get so nervous my brain fogs x

Mj1214 · 17/09/2019 19:34

Has anyone got any advice on cafcass? I'm due a call/ visit soon and I'm so anxious.

kitk · 17/09/2019 19:46

@Mj1214 there is some great advice up post about making everything about your child and not about how awful your ex has been to you. Eg saying child witnessed ex punching me on two occasions rather than saying he's a terrible man who beat me (if that makes sense) Write down things you think they need to hear in a child centric way so you don't have to think about how to phrase on phone. Stay calm and stick to facts and keeo your child's face in your mind at all times.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page