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So here I am, 4 weeks after Directions hearing. As suspected my ex didn't show up. Adjourned after 30 mins of questioning.
I have since found that this is apparently as she upped & left moving 180 miles away!!! Without a word, discussion etc.
My child's school confirmed my child had been removed from the school and a new address provided, obviously not provided to me though.
The Judge had to adjourn the Directions hearing as they (with CAFCASS) really wanted to speak to her & obviously couldn't.
So what on earth now? As it stands the case has not been transferred and is still with original judge, locally to me.
Facts - our child is 4yrs old.I had alternate weekend access throughout those years with some stopping of contact on my ex's part. My ex has a whole host of mental health issues. There have been 2 CAF reports in 4 years both reference my ex's lack of anger management concerns.
Contact was stopped without a word.
Ex ignored mediation request, ignored CAFCASS calls, no show for Directions hearing and I doubt she submitted the requested Position Statement.
This sudden, un-discussed relocation surely can't have done her any favours here can it? She has moved away from being near her parents (although nearer to sibling)
My child may be considered a child missing from education although at 4 that remains unconfirmed.
Whilst I expect the case to be transferred, it has yet to be and the adjourned Directions hearing has a new imminent date. Oh also the Judge atatched a Penal Notice and was clearly not impressed although the Judge did also give me abit of a grilling.
I have written to the Judge expressing my concerns, especially on my ex's mental health as I'm concerned she's uppped & moved without consideration of transfer of her own care/medication.
WT absolute F.
I would speak to Coram Chidrens Legal Centre and to Children's Services. If there are concerns for your child's welfare (and it sounds as though there is), then it might be worth seeing if there is any immediate action that can be taken, and whether your child can be removed from the mother, or at the very least, children's services keeping an eye out for your child in the meantime.
Wow - so I call Social Services in the area my ex has left - they refer me (understandably) to the new area.
The new area refer me to .... guess what .... the former area. A complete and utter waste of time, a shambles.
The new area's Social Services won't entertain anything because I don't have the new address - the exact issue I'm reporting to them about a potentially vulnerable child in THEIR area.
They have stated that I should raise a missing persons's case with the Police. When I stated that they are technically not 'missing' they just keep repeating it.
It's no wonder children in vulnerable scenarios wind up hurt.
I called 101 & took some advice. Police agreed that technically my child isn't missing as people are aware of location, I'm just not one of them!
Police were extremely helpful and sympathetic to be fair. I'm days away from the adjourned Directions hearing so who knows what that will throw up.
I think I know exactly how the Directions hearing is going to go and that's a Section 7 as the Judge made some reference to that when talking to the CAFCASS officer in my adjourned Directions hearing. I quite welcome that to be honest as it's all good on my side.
Aside from that I have no idea how contact could be ordered given there's 150+ miles involved now! Alternate weekends was my intiial request but that's clearly not feasible nor is it in the best interest of my child; 6 hours of driving in 48 hours every other weekend.
I wonder if I'll "get" school holidays or a monthly visit or something. Who knows maybe the Judge will be an utter hero and give me custody - tongue in cheek obviously !!!
You could always contact your Court and file with them a Form C4 (Seek and Locate). This may be an appropriate thing to do and also with regard to getting the case going again.
Ideally, the situation would be you having residence. I'm becoming increasingly suspicious that a lot of Mothers will move quite large distances under the proviso that they are "nearer family" or "returning home" or similar... and there are a number who are doing it just to make it difficult
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