[Solved] Section 7 report delayed

HI all,

I chased it up on Friday and my officer called me back. She confirmed the few things that I needed to ask her and reassured me that my report will be filed on time this Thursday. She explained she had just been very busy with more cases due to Covid.

Quick question for anyone who can help? I've gone for shared holiday but between now and my annual leave refresh I'm going to have issues getting half of the holidays off. I am writing in saying that my other children will be at home with my wife and he can also be with them until I get home can't he? I've changed my working hours to fit around stuff a little more so I am also home around 1.30pm most days too. Can anyone comment on this?

I would just go for half of the holidays and not mention it. Its up to you if you want to leave your children with your wife etc.
If you say you cant do half of the holidays you are leaving yourself open for attack by your ex partner and at risk of not getting half of holidays

I would just go for half of the holidays and not mention it. Its up to you if you want to leave your children wife etc.
If you say you cant do half of the holidays you are leaving yourself open for attack by your ex partner

Yeah I definitely want half and half but wondered if in the future she's going to try say I have to be there etc etc.

hi,

agree with warwick. a mistake I made was last year in court I didn't ask for half of school hols, because I was more worried about my work. but this year I went back and asked for it. now i have loads of free time.don't worry about the ex. don't give impression that you can not commit to half of holidays.

make specific requests like you want 7 consecutive nights in the longer holidays xmas, easter, summer. it's better that way so order is clear and not vague, where your ex can not find ways to play with it.

Just donot Jump to your X tune makes it very difficult other wise.

Agree with what's been said already. Go for half the holidays. It's up to you if your son has to stay with your partner whilst you're at work. That happens all the time with families, it's no different when you're separated, and if your ex tries to make a thing of it in the future, just ignore her. What does she do on the days she has to work, or has another commitment?

Like Bill said, be really specific with what holiday time you want, down to the last detail. Believe me, if a bitter ex thinks they have wriggle room to make up their own rules or bend them to suit there own needs when it comes to your contact time, they WILL wriggle. Start as you mean to go on, with an order as watertight as you possibly get it. Also, always ask for more than what you expect/want. We never get everything want with this court system anyway, so the more [censored] you throw at the wall, the more will stick.

Hi all, thanks for replies.

Had report through, recommendations are basically what I requested. Only difference is that it'll be midweek the week of the weekend he doesn't come. Progressive contact over 4 months to get to full weekends and mid week.

Few issues with report, states every other Christmas with this Christmas been ex's and I can pick up at 5 30pm Xmas day until boxing day but this overlaps the progressive contact in a contact centre etc?

Also is details enough regarding taking him on holiday etc but does mention half the holidays etc.

Are these points I need to make to court etc? Nothing about what will happen when I can't collect him from school due to holidays either.

hi,

thats great you got a positive report. if you think anything is missing or expected something better, you can always raise it in court, and add to your position statement. you can ask for midweek overnight every week, if report doesn't mention it.

if alternate xmas days is an issue, ask can it be shared day each year. like you have kids for lunch, kids go back to mum in evening for dinner. during school holidays you will naturally have to pick up/drop kids from ex home. unless you or ex prefer some other handover place. i prefer from ex home as easier. depends on your ex and if her or family will cause issues.

Cafcass interviews always tend to miss some things out, unfortunately. But the upside is that because of that, it's not uncommon to ask for these extra details to be ironed out at court. Definitely ask for them, as in this game, you won't get everything you ask for unless you speak up. I'd update your position statement with the extra details and stating why they are important, if you can.

Hi all, I've drafted my position statement that reflects exactly what I want additional to the recommendations from Cafcass.

Her position statement has just come over and it says she doesn't agree and wants a final hearing? Can her Barrister do this? I'm self representing so any advice at short notice would be appreciated! Court on 45 mins!

If you both cannot agree on contact, then a final hearing will be required. Try and push for as much contact as you can for the time being until the next hearing.

Your ex will have to give suitable reasons as to why she will not allow the contact you have requested. It does not sound like this will be your last day in court today though. Good luck!!