[Solved] First hearing coming up

Is the hearing by phone or in person? I am not sure about the background, but usually things are not decided on the first hearing, not to sound harsh, but do not get your hopes up too high. Depends on what your ex has said, they might ask cafcass to carry our a section 7 report before the next hearing. Just remain child focused and do not slag off your ex in anyway, stay calm and polite. Try and propose a suitable contact arrangement, again, i do not know your full situation, but if your ex is claiming you are a bad father etc. then suggest supervised contact to start with (not sure if contact centres are open) this way you get an unbiased report of how you are with them.

Phone? We have agreed some things in mediation in between me applying, will that make a difference, still no heard from cafcass, should I follow that up?

That's a good start that mediation has bought some success. It will depend if the court have instructed cafcass to get involved, they usually get in touch and provide a report before the hearing. If the court have instructed it then maybe give them a call before it is too late. I know cafcass are carrying our interviews via the phone at the moment.

I thought Cafcass were involved no matter what? Is that not the case?

yes Cafcass do get involved from start with a brief phone call and a letter, usually by time you go to court for 1st hearing. and often court asks cafcass to do a section 7 report, which takes a couple of weeks.

Should I be worried that I have not had the call or letter and the hearing is weeks away now?

no I don't think so. last time they rang me 2 days before the hearing, and I received their letter on the day. They will probably contact you 1 or 2 weeks before the hearing.

Hi CAFCASS will initially contact you for a safeguarding interview. It is short and sweet but you should remain child-focussed whenever speaking to them. The one I spoke to was very interactive and understanding and ruled I need more time with my children until the final hearing. If you go to click.com they have a few scenarios of separated parent issues, and if you have seen that and made a parenting plan, they are quite impressed. They might ask both parents to do a SPIP(separated parents information programme) which is now zoom conference and if they do, please wait for them to send you an email recommending it and it will be for free (you need something like a PID number ?)
Just so you are aware , they will ask you about your relationship with your wife and to clarify any allegations, if any. Their report conclusions will be - more/adequate time, SPIP course or not and Section 7

I am waiting for my section 7 interview and am very nervous. I will post the questions they ask on Tuesday night 12th January after they it is completed.

Good luck

just out of caution you should contact CAFCASS and provide them the case number and your phone number. Tell them you are waiting for a phone call.

The ex had provided the wrong number to CAFCASS who were unable to get hold of me and put this on the report, which caused delays.
One of many tactics by your ex you may face during your court case.

just out of caution you should contact CAFCASS and provide them the case number and your phone number. Tell them you are waiting for a phone call.

The ex had provided the wrong number to CAFCASS who were unable to get hold of me and put this on the report, which caused delays.
One of many tactics by your ex you may face during your court case.

Have rang them and they said they would call back, but they said this last time months ago 🙁