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Hi thankyou for the advice. I have been in regular contact with the social worker who was first involved and he arranged with the ex for me to see my daughter for an hour at a MacDonalds close to the ex's. She was supposed to drop her and then pick her up she didn't she followed us in and sat across so I just ignored her and enjoyed my time with my daughter. Whilst I welcomed seeing her it obviously upset me she wanted to come with me etc and didn't understand why she couldn't I obviously couldn't explain.
Since then the ex has avoided speaking to the social worker and when he did manage to she just fibbed him off and indicated she wouldn't attend court which is Dec 5th. It seems to me she is just trying to prolong the frustration in the hope I react badly. Everything I have read indicates the court won't adjourn without a good reason what are these reasons? Another worry for me is I have a caffcass phone interview coming up and I'm sure they will look at me badly as I have a few convictions for violence although these where many years ago and just drunken brawls and nothing to do with the ex or any child I am sure it will be held against me can it be?
I asked for an interim order on my FM1 should I push for this? Also what is a position statement and do I need to send one to court or just present it on the day? Any help would be great I have had to do this myself I just can't afford a solicitor.
Thanks in advance Steve
The social worker obviously doesn't seem concerned about your past history, so as long as you are honest about this, then hopefully it won't make too much difference about the eventual outcome.
It’s our experience that a no show by one of the parties, will more often than not, result in adjournment.
If CAFCASS ask you about previous convinctions, just be honest with them, it was a long time ago and you’re a different person now, you were young and immature etc etc.
Certainly you should push for an interim order, but be prepared to offer Supervised contact if it looks like it’s going that way.
A position statement can be handed in when you get to court, ask for it to be given to the judge who is hearing your case as soon as you check in, and have a copy for the other party and cafcass. It shouldn’t be more than a couple of pages and is really just to give a little more detail... a little about the background to your case, any concerns and what you would like the court to do.
There’s a template and some more info about position statements that I can link for you.
All the best
Here's some links to info about how to structure statements and also a template that you can use.
www.thecustodyminefield.com/flapp/positionstatements.html
Template ~
www.thecustodyminefield.com/flapp/statement.html
www.mfjc.co.uk/home/mfjccou1/public_ftp/...ldren-March-2013.pdf
Hi and thankyou so much for your help and advice it's been a god send. I have prepared my positions statement trying hard to follow all the advice and guidelines given I just wish I had someone to read over it as I may well see it through rose coloured glasses.
A bigger problem has been the ex getting in touch with the social worker and stating my daughter wanted contact at my home, when he asked her to think about it as he thought McDonald's for a short visit was more acceptable she withdrew the offer and this torments me greatly and broke me up. He told me he felt it was in my best interest! He has also said he will not be playing what he considers the game she is playing! Is he doing this for my benefit or just telling me that? Torment and missing my daughter is clouding my thought process and I would value your opinion and that of anyone who has experience. Thanks Steve
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