CAFCASS query

[worried3012]

Hi,

My ex has made many allegations about my care for our DS and in recent court, the judge has ordered a section 7 report from CAFCASS.

Please can I ask what to expect? Is it one phone call, or several? Will they visit? I hope so . I wonder how they are doing this in Lockdown.

Will they speak to DS privately? I worry they will speak to DS when he is at exes and DS will be afraid to speak freely (I suppose ex could argue the same for when DS is with me which is fair enough). DS has said before he is worried about upsetting anyone.

I am anxious beyond belief but trying to take the positives.

Can I also ask if you recommend that I should tell them that I do see a therapist for anxiety (a direct result of my ex), and i was recently prescribed anti depressants (but didnt take them as they didnt agree with me). I was feeling low a few weeks ago but it is all linked to Ex and how he treats me. This is what has made me low. I also am with a Womens Aid support. I dont know if I should tell CAFCASS or if this will go against me. Will CAFCASS have access to my GP records? There hasnt been any allegation about my mental health so I maybe don't need to.

Thank you for any advice x

My ex made allegations about my ability to care for our child in the context of his application to have her removed from my care to live with him and similarly a section 7 was ordered.

The section 7 involved the Cafcass worker seeing the child alone (if the child is old enough), and observing / interviewing both parents to judge ability to meet the child's needs & what is best. Safeguarding checks would normally have already been done (e.g. checking for police reports, with GP, school etc). You should always be honest and truthful with Cafcass so I'd say you should mention all of the above. Domestic abuse particularly should not be hidden.

The challenge is to be honest without coming across as if you're trying to make your ex look bad. Be factual, not emotional. If the allegations are untrue you have nothing to fear. My ex's allegations led to me getting a residence order & he being given limited contact to reduce the impact of his abusive behavior on our child..

Thank you.

Ex has made so many allegations that on paper it looks bad but they are false. He's controlled and emotionally abused me for years, nothing physical so it's a hard one to get support for but I am with a women's aid group.

I've been petrified for years of him and he's ruined my life.

My child is happy with me and I think given the circumstances I've done quite a good job. No one is more critical of my parenting then me and I'm sure I've made mistakes but I think I've done the best I can.

Thanks for your advice