[Solved] CAFCASS

A section 37 report is slightly different to what you have described. 37 is where the local authority ate invited to consider whether care proceedings should be initiated.

Does your sons order say Section 37 or Section 7?

I would say it is more likely an S7. Let me know and I’ll come back to you - I’ve been through two S7s and a S37 myself personally and also worked on cases where they have been undertaken.

The letter from Cafcass says
Application for CAO spend time with, specific issue S8 in “name of town” county court and family court.

Thanks.

I'm not sure where the mention of an S37 comes in....

I'm pretty sure you will be able to speak, as it's in your home and you have had a lot to do with the child. I would try and allow your son to lead conversations but I don't see any reason why you shouldn't comment. When my son had a home visit, he was living with us and I was able to join with the discussions.

I would have pictures to hand showing how happy the child is, if your like us we have framed pictures of our grandchildren around our home.

I would suggest you print off the relevant texts, but don't overload the officer with them, it's enough to show a few from each year, so include the most relevant ones.

When they interviewed my grandson, he was living with us, and the officer asked us to leave the room whilst she spoke to him, but I have known mothers insisting that they were present when a child was interviewed.

Just be yourselves, be open and honest and child centred. Make sure your house is child friendly and if the child has their own room, ask if they would like to see it. Again the social worker that came to us inspected our house.

Don't bad mouth the mother, that doesn't mean you can't voice concerns, but keep it about the child, express that the sudden suspension of contact must have been distressing for the child and share how involved you have always been in the little ones life.

All the best

Thanks Mojo.
Yes we have lots (and lots) of photos of our grandson around the house and he has his own room, which is really sad to look at every day over the past year as filled with his toys and favorite bed cover.
I think he will be interviewed (grandson) as his mothers house, as school is closed until 6th September, someone suggested he might be interviewed as school (which would be preferred in our case).

we would never bad mouth his mum, especially as our grandson loves his mum very much and she is a good mum. the problem with her is she just wants complete control over every situation, which has caused the problems in the past. She has stated she wants to ruin my sons life and it will always be "do as I say or I will stop you seeing your son" - which she has now done. It is such as shame as my Grandson loved coming over to our house and has always been a HUGE part of our family life.

The text messages i have are more along the lines of stating - pick (grandson name) at such time, can you have (grandson name) as i am working, take him swimming. Text that include my sons name stating pick up and drop off times and allowing contact in the past. I have a few that state things like if he doesnt pay CM by such date she will stop contact. There are a few nasty ones calling my son names etc.

One questions i do have is. We have 2 x woodburners in our house, do we need fire guards for these? They are rarely on, as we have central heating as well. We have stairgates, which we dont use, do you think I should put these back up, my grandson is 5 now and can safetly use the stairs?

Thanks - feel like this is a big chance to turn things around from such a bad FOF and they can see we are just a normal happy loving family.

Thanks
Nannykit