I personally have had one good and one bad experience with CAFCASS.
The first reporter was a wolf in a sheep skin. All friendly to me, acting like she listened to everything I said, took notes....etc. I had read about how bad CAFCASS actually were and I left their offices feeling like I had actually got through to someone. Her report arrived and I so mad and angry, I didn't know what to do. Even worse, I was told by the solicitor to simply write a response, which I did.
CAFCASS had a tidy 9 odd pages of spaced out report. I had over 20 pages of corrections and attempts to rectify and explain misunderstandings.
On the day in court, CAFCASS and the Judge sat drinking coffee and the woman changed her recommendations (again) and reinterpreted seemingly obvious things so vastly differently that I felt like becoming a criminal. Ex smirking in court knowing that she was getting her way didn't help.
I was against CAFCASS from that day because they accept lies as truth, present lise as fact. Claim to listen to children but don't. Misinterpret what children say and present something totally different.
The second experience, ex was mouthing various accusations about me to the Judge. To the point of probably spooking the Judge. Probably because she thought I was in for her version of round 2.
I got a CAFCASS reporter with over 30 years children experience. The person was dead straight and practical. He was very open with his information gathering and fully transparent. The man had a "shadow" who took notes (I was recording the conversation).
I went to the meeting ready to argue and the man listened to everything I said. Listened to all the reasons I used. He recognized the case law that I wanted to apply and explained where the case law helped my son in my legal argument - without actually giving me any legal advice. I left the meetings thinking that I had been listened to and couldn't help but remember the first experience.
The report arrived and I was generally accepting of most of it. I asked for a few amendments but the reporter explained his reasons for choosing the wording he did (before going to court) and I could see his reasoning for writing what he did. While I didn't agree, I understood and that (to me) made all the diffrence.
The second reporter was very clear about what his role was and what the Judges role was.
During cross examination, he gave accurate and correct information.
I was impressed with the second person's reporting ability.
The first reporter well and truly fucked my son's life direction up and thanks to her, my son's future is going to be very different - to the point of me not being able to do anything without messing more (younger) lives up to rescue my son.
I have since heard that the second reporter I had has a reputation as I described in most of the cases he works with. Reporters like him are almost the exception.
I have been involved with several court cases where CAFCASS have been involved. One case with NYAS. Me having more understanding about how CAFCASS reporters work help me to help others. I think that I am a major headache for CAFCASS.
I wouldn't trust many of them and if you are prepared to take the chance, record every meeting and phone call. No point asking for permission, the answer is almost always "no".
Your intention is to never reveal that you are recording the conversations and you keep the recording to yourself, so you can remind yourself about what was actually said.
After each meeting, write to the reporter, thank them for the meeting and give them a summary of what you remember being said in the meeting. List the points that you felt were most important and why, then ask the reporter to correct any misunderstandings you might have in your summary.
Try to keep the summary short but clear and correct.
If you get a list of corrections and it conflicts with the recording, move to taking notes in future meetings....etc. Thats the general advice I read, and it worked for me.