are cafcass supposed to be independent?Cafcass officer seeming to act for father and upsetting child

[singingmum]

My friends son has recently been upset after cafcass officer made him write down his interests on paper then said
"would you like to sign your name?"
Child replied "No"
She said "Sign it" in the tone of a teacher who has an unrully pupil.
The child came to stay with my child and has informed me that he felt scared by the cafcass officer and that he does not want any form of contact with father who has been absent from his life for about 5 yrs.
Is there anything that the child or I could do to help and is the child allowed a representative such as an adult they trust other than parent or step-parent in the room while cafcass officer is present?
Also isn't the letter from father supposed to be personal as cafcass officer has stated that she helped the father(who is not dyslexic or of any other prob) write the letter to child which she read to the boy when he said he wanted nothing to do with the letter?

The thing is that all the research shows better long term outcomes for children who have good relationships with their absent parent. On that basis, the court will presume that unless there is a VERY good reason, the child should be encouraged to have and to enjoy contact.

So far a representative for the child is concerned, there wouldn't normally be one in the cafcass meeting however if the court feels that the child needs seperate representation in the court proceedings then they may a appoint a guardian ad litem.

The thing is the boy in question is 9 and has stated that as far as he is concerned he wants nothing to do with the father as he has a lovely step dad who is there for him no matter what.My friend has made it clear that it is her sions choice and she will fight or support him whichever way he decides.
What bothers me is the cafcas officer has been v. abusive to mother and has got the child scared into thinking that he doesn't have a choice of whether to write back or not and the chid feels that he shouldn't have to if he does not wish to and that if he must then he should be allowed to write what he wants even if it's that he has nothing to say to his father.
I also have concerns due to some things that I know about the father and that the child who for the most part is a very polite and happy child has become quite withdrawn since the cafcass officer became involved.
The cafcass officer also showed a picture of where the father lives and said
"Wouldn't you like to go there wouldn't you like to live there"
This is about contact not custody and the child reg goes to the place in question to visit friends.
The father is a manipulator and rather odd tbh so am worried about the way the cafcass officer(female) is acting

you can complain about the officer in question,you may be lucky and be allocated another.

i would think the bit about helping the father write the letter,means that he needed guidance. not over emotive etc

Would have thought that myself but the child has told me and the mother agreed that the officer has been very strange in her actions she has even accused the mother of having a criminal record which she has not as is in the report and told her that she needs to not allow the child to tell her how he's feeling this means that he feels he is not allowed to have on open relationship with his own mum.Also the mum has told me that the letter didn't sound like him if you understand me.
Am sorry to say that I believe in all honesty that in this case the father and his family will do a lot of harm to the child.
The cafcass woman has been extremely confrontational with the mum but very friendly with the father such as sitting with him in court and whispering and talking with him in a manner that is shall we say over friendly causing the childs mum to feel very uncomfortable with the womans involvement

Is there anyone here who works for cafcass who could tell me what would happen if complaint made as my friend needs to know quite quick.
Have just noticed the assumption that my friend and I are same person,not so am asking as friend is cr*p with computers and they drive her scatty also because her child chose me to talk to and I have never seen the child so upset before and have known him all his life

Hi not a cafcass officer but a family solicitor.

Some of the things the mum is telling you are pretty alarming. There are two courses of action, either write to the cafcass officer's manager and ask for an investigation or make an application to the court to have the officer removed.

Neither is an easy option but she should act fast. What does her solicitor recommend?

when she first had involvement with this officer,she should have been given a card with an unique number on it. this is for complaints procedure. i was shocked when my officer gave me one.....in fact,when i met her she was on the defensive from the off!! i asked her outright,why? she said alot of parents resent cafcass,and she's resigned herself to the fact that they are hated and complained about,as at least one side of the parties will have issues about her report.

i told her to shut up and did she want a cup of tea! she turned out to be fair. and was good with the kids. i felt it important that after this case is over,i should write in with a positive letter about her conduct.

Her solicitor is not exactly being helpful. The cafcass officer claimed the solicitor had the report before the court date but the solicitor says otherwise.When my friend told her solicitor about the issues her solicitor informed her that she could actually be bringing more probs down on her head and that they could accuse her of coercing the child etc.
Would you be able to tell me if the child could poss have someone other than mum in room when cafcas are there as cafcas is so busy accusing mum of things the child feels uncomfortable?I know the child has informed teachers about feeling v.uncomfortable with woman and the way she made him write the'letter' but am not sure if they can do anything about it
Just to point out the mum has made it clear that if he wants contact she won't be upset or angry etc. and that she'll support him no matter what he decides

bump

How do you know what the Cafcass said to the child in question?

Do you think it is possible that the child is picking up on his mother's feelings towards the father and the conflict between them, and is saying what he thinks will help/ please her?

By the nature of the job they do it's almost inevitably that one parent (or even both) are likely to be unhappy with the process and believe that the officer is biased. After all, there wouldnt be a need for cafcass if the situation could be sorted between the parents.

The child told me what the woman said and actually my friend is very supportive no matter what.The reason she is fighting this is because the child told her that she is happy with her life and doesn't want a relationship with him at moment.He caused one of her other children to become selective mute through some of the things that he did.
My friend never stopped him seeing the child but he chose not to co-operate at begining.He has warnings for harrasement and also other things that don't seem to be taken into account even though it could lead to probs for child later.
My friend allows her older children to speak to their dad when they want and he was violent towards her(they aren't allowed alone with him and it's when they meet norm by accident in public places).
My friend only became upset with the situation when the cafcass officer started making odd accusations which she must have known to be untrue as she has done checks on both parents.
No offence Unavailable but my friend has no reason to lie as she has already agreed to indirect contact and didn't have a prob until as I have said the woman became confrontational and rather biased.
Would really appreciate it if someone with experience in either family law or who have had cafcas visit could help on the question of whether the boy could have someone he trusts be there at officers visits other than his mum?

i had cafcass visit and it was requested she was to see them alone. she had visited once previously to introduce herself to them. why doesn't your friend simply call and ask. check the website,there may be something on it about having a third party present!

how can I help my friend, who is a very caring & loving Mum, with an exemplary history of caring for her children. She has just lost custody, temporarily of her children age13 & 8, after her ex refused to return them. CAFCASS interviewed the children at thier fathers house, when he said in court that they wanted to live with him. It is so obvious that the children have been told what to say, I agree that children should have a say, but how do CAFCASS decided what is true when they have no previous knowledge of the childrens lives. Trouble is the 13 year old wants to live with his Dad, & is telling the younger one what to say. Why hasn't anyone been to visit my friend, her life has just been taken away, and no one cares!
She is back in court in two weeks, but what can she do to prove the CAFCASS report is not truthful? I feel so helpless!