Cafcass not meeting autistic child's needs

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Not sure where to put this, really - if you can think of a better place, feel free to tell me!

My sister is currently in the process of court proceedings regarding my nephew (14) and niece (12) who no longer wish to see their father.

It's a very long drawn out tale, but my sister was advised that at the ages they are at now, the children would be listened to. Their not wanting to see their Dad comes totally from them and not my sister, but obviously she is happy to support them.

Anyway, my nephew is autistic, so as you can imagine he finds anything out of the his ordinary routine very stressful. Their assigned CAFCASS officer has admitted he doesn't know a great deal about autism. My nephew struggled enough with the CAFCASS person's visit to the house but they have now demanded that they see both children at my sister's solicitor's office. He's flatly refused to go and my sister is really worried that it's going to appear that she's not co-operating with the process. In addition, she's fairly sure the court is going to say the children should continue visiting their father for now, but equally sure my nephew won't go. She's been warned that if she can't make him comply, she faces further court proceedings, fines etc. How on earth is she supposed to force a 6ft autistic 14 year old to go somewhere he absolutely doesn't want to go?

Can my sister ask for a CAFCASS person who does know about autism or is it just tough luck? Is she really likely to get into serious trouble if she can't make my nephew see his father if that's what the court says should happen?

Really sorry if this is a bit muddled and thank you for any insights/advice; etc.

Has she tried speaking to the National Autistic Society?

Not sure about the cafcass officer.. But in theory they should make reasonable adjustment with regard to meeting the young man.
Also being the ages that the children are.. Their feelings and wishes on the subject should be taken into account.
However.. The children probably will be expected to justify their feelings and wishes to a point.

Anyway what might be of some use.. Is if they do have to have contact with their dad.. Then ask the court to pit in place that dad is to do the puck up.. That way your sister is being reasonable in making the children available for contact time.. But it can be dad who has the battle of a 6 footer .

Thanks both - one problem is that Dad lives in France, so my sister has had to meet him at a halfway point between hers and the airport - he doesn't have to go to her house as he's already gone to the trouble and expense of flying over (never paid a penny towards the children otherwise - don't get me started!) so the court said last time!

my understanding of this (which could easily be wrong) is that they like to see the children on neutral ground, not just at home where they may feel pressured by one or other parent. If this is the reason maybe the cafcass officer could find a venue that is more suitable than a potentially scary solicitors office. Does your nephew have a social worker, you can apply to the court to get the social worker to do the assessment if he does.

At that age they usually go with what the children want but the judge may make an order for phonecalls and/or writen contact depending on what the children say.

Maybe she should contact Autism outreach?

Thank you.

Bigcar - it's nice to know that they'll hopefully go with what the children want.

Colditz - I hadn't heard of that, I'll suggest it to her.

She could suggest that he's interviewed at school which is also neutral territory but is also a familiar place where he'll feel secure.

Alison, that would be a great suggestion, but he's home schooled!

Doh!

Can she think of anywhere else familiar? Perhaps the GP's surgery if he's used to going there?

I don't think it's fair to insist he is put into such a stressful environment. I wonder if she can write to the judge to explain and ask him/her to intervene and make the arrangements more autism friendly.