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 think you are right @Pinkyxx, just feels so disheartening to feel like I’m not being heard and that I’m two steps behind exp. So I was the one who started the court process because exp started to try and blackmail me and I just thought enough is enough.. today I honestly thought why did I do this if they aren’t even going to take my concerns seriously, 3 sessions is a bit of a joke to me. But I know I have the strength to get through this, doesn’t always feel like it, but my love and instinct to protect dd will keep me going and as much as I can I’m going to try not to worry about this, only when I have to and just focusing on dd instead of exps games.

I've just finished this process and it went on for 2 years because I stood my ground. Ask for him to attend positive parenting classes and to attend a domestic abuse programme. These come with a link worker for yourself who are bloody brilliant. Also contact Refuge they are amazing and so supportive and will help and support and even come with you to court if needed.
Stand your ground. It's long and stressful but if you know in your heart you need to do it for your child it's worth the blood sweat and tears... Also because of the DV you can get legal aid so find a solicitor xxx

I spoke again with women’s aid today, who have been a major help. Not only with saying they can help me get more legal advice but also just for the emotional support. The past week I’ve felt suffocated, like exp had me back under his control and there was nothing I could do, even today trying to start a conversation with me after calling 20 minutes early for his FaceTime with dd. It may not seem like much but he is never early for anything, so almost like him saying he can do as he pleases, yet doesn’t bother speak with dd. Usually this would make me feel like I’m being overly sensitive, that I’m making it up, but my contact at women’s aid reassured me and made me feel like I wasn’t crazy and most he isn’t in control.

But also you all have helped me so much this week, guided me and just made me feel like I can do this. So thank you all so much, I have no doubt this will be a rollercoaster but so long as I stand my ground and take all the help I can get I’m sure I can keep.
DD safe.

Well done honey. Its the most horrible process but you've got this!!! You'll come out of it a stronger person too. Take time to have a bit of peace away from the process when you can and just keep talking to people. Do not let this silence you!! Stay strong xxxxxx

So I thought I'd give an update.

Section 7 been ordered, contact currently being supervised although apparently they have no safeguarding concerns. annoyed as even though sw was just meant to observe contact they have used this to assess his parenting even though during all sessions dd was in her pushchair for all but ten minutes.. bit baffled as what parenting was there!? They even mentioned he was unable up parent properly.

Judge still not looked at any evidence, told me regardless of what exp has done to dd or I in the past we should move forwards. Apparently threatening to slap a baby and throwing water over their face while in the bath is acceptable . Just hoping the cafcass officer can look at my evidence, see the police report and understand what dd has gone through.

@Herewegoagain19891 where are you based?, all caffcass work has been on hold due to them having to work from home, who has been supervising at the contact centre

@Marley040783, I'll have to pm you location as I don't want exp identifying me.

But the cafcass officer is calling for have a chat via video next week. And it was an sw supervising during contact which wasn't in a contact centre but a park, that's why dd was in her pushchair the majority of the time bar between 10 and 20 minutes out which to me what can you assess from that. Think I'll bring this up to cafcass officer too

How many times have they been to the park for supervised, I wouldn't stress to much, they clearly see him as a risk to put supervised forward, and they cannot change a court order without you, the sec 7 will of gone to the court , have you had a hearing date

@Marley040783, just pm you. Oh no they have said supervised moving forward just to reassure me not to safeguard DD. She has 3 sessions before this latest hearing. Next hearing is after the section 7 is submitted in October.

I hope you dont mind me sharing. I went through a very similar situation in 2018. I am pleased to hear you have got legal.aid as I did not and I am still paying off legal Bill's. Just to clarify with Cafcass , they seem to be of the opinion that there should be contact at all costs. Also I also used a contact centre for approx 6 months. They made it clear to me that this is only temporary and that the end goal is always to have unsupervised access. Regarding the Family court. There is this assumption that it's totally pro.mothers , not true in my opinion, also they seem to be another assumption that women use DV allegations falsely. Again this is untrue in my opinion. I would prepare yourself for unsupervised access very soon that seems to be the end goal
Good luck

Hello Herewego

I know it was a while since you posted this but I read this judiciary report today that was released only last month about how courts have been prioritising contact over the safeguarding of children when there is domestic abuse. I read your post and this seems really relevant. The judiciary is recommending changes throughout and cafcass have been basically found to be doing a sht job in some instances. I am not sure this will help you but I forward to you to empower you if you need to push back:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/895173/assessing-risk-harm-children-parents-pl-childrens-cases-report_.pdf

Light11 , so glad you have mentioned this regarding safeguarding and the link. There has been a huge push in the courts, initiated by the media and mens rights groups imo to push contact at all costs. Please stay strong, it is a horrendous time and know one who hasnt been through it can ever know. You do come out of it stronger. Although I believe there is not enough help and support for women going through this. Take care

Hi Rebeccajo,

It’s a scandal some of the examples in the report of how women and children have been treated is horrendous it made difficult reading and having had a close call with children’s services I have to agree that they totally minimised my concerns point blank.

This is so serious that the head of cafcass issued an apology, I don’t even think this made it to the media enough. I am interested in starting a thread because there will be people out there who will benefit from an apology and a review of their arrangements when this comes out properly.

Thankyou light11 for bringing this to light, I have been re reading the report. Also I feel there is no real understanding of how a parent who has undergone a DV situation faces the aftermath in scheduling access. They often have to come face to face with their ex and their ex' family. This is extremely fraught as a old wounds have been opened up. I was not offered any follow up or ideas about how to schedule access. I was just left to it after I got the judgement. There is also the very dubious mediation that is offered to parents which in my view is a way to save money. The mediation again pressures parents to accept a custody arrangement that may be harmful. It also doesn't take into account the very real power imbalance where DV has happened. Also because of the cost of legal action, you have to settle even if you know it's not the right decision. Also I was told the Cafcass report submitted to court is always accepted in its totality by the court and that it's useless to appeal it

How can one Agency have so much power? Surely mistakes will be made. A threat is a wonderful idea. Thankyou so much for bringing this to light. Take care

Sorry meant a thread typo lol

@Light11 thank you so much for sharing this, I'm actually going through something very similar to @Herewegoagain19891 almost identical and this helps so much.

If you do create a thread could you share the link on here please?

Hello Teatwosugars,

Read this :
www.cafcass.gov.uk/2020/06/25/cafcass-responds-to-the-publication-of-the-report-from-the-ministry-of-justice-expert-panel-on-harm-in-the-family-courts/

SCROLL DOWN to the bottom of that page the comments from psychologists saying cafcass are not fit for purpose for domestic abuse situations.

My heart aches for anyone that has experienced domestic violence and abuse, I have had abusive experiences not severe enough to break us, although they are damaging.

I will start a new thread in the next few days I am currently understanding the new legislation around the changes that will come in and I’m considering to start a petition for parliament to open up a review of existing families who have domestic abuse situations and have been let down by cafcass, it’s not right and it should not be left unchallenged.

@Light11, it truly is shocking. I'm currently trying to get a non mol order against my ex who keeps abusing me at handover's yet the courts deem there are no safeguarding issues before a safeguarding report was even done.

But when you have other professionals seeing the affects of these failures at what point do the courts and cafcass turn around and this. I'm currently in the middle of proceedings and await the section 7 report so I'm hoping this article and what follows maybe able to help me highlight the failings in mine and dds case.

I've also written to my local mp but would happily sign and share any petition started.