[Solved] CAFCASS

It’s a stressful time, everything just seems to take forever... patience is your best friend right now.

I have spoken to NACCC. They advised the nearest centres are over 1 hour away and if the court do order contact at a contact centre, the EX will have to take the child (which wont happen).

They did say "if SS are involved" (which I am sure they are not), then they can make special circumstances for supervised contact (if this is ordered).

I have to say the lady at NACCC was really helpful and understanding, and prompted us to inform the court that we have looked into centres, and it may not be in the childs best interest to travel that far at a young age, so to ask if a family member would be able to supervise/support the contact.

It seems there is a big difference between supported and supervised contact, which is confusing me?

Will keep you updated... Just investigating all options.

Whilst NACCC have quite a monopoly on centres nationally, there are groups that work independently of them, for instance a local church in my locality offers the service.

Supervised contact is where the sessions are monitored by a dedicated support worker, who will be making notes and providing written reports. It’s a one to one situation.
And is used where there’s been no contact for a prolonged period of time, or where there have been allegations made and perceived safeguarding concerns.

Supported contact is more informal and takes place in a group setting, with other families, there’s no written report done, it’s just a safe place to go.

I didn't realise, the centres could be NON NACCC. what do i search for (google).... to find a independent centre.

Just child contact centres in your area... as I said, SS may have a list, or the CAB might also be able to advise.

Spoken to SS and CAB. No child contact centres in my area.
SS said, if the child was KNOWN to SS and the court need SS involved, a local centre can rent out a room to SS to supervise contact.

so looks like it will be 1 hour drive, if this is ordered.

That's a pity, your son could propose a family member to supervise, it's whether she would accept it.

Section 7 due today. Nothing so far... I keep checking Egress. Should I contact the court to ask if they have received the report.

Section 7 report has recommended "INDIRECT CONTACT" only. I am lost for words.

Is it whilst a court hearing is pending?

My partner has indirect contact too whilst awaiting final hearing and I've posted here today about it not working.
Since January she has had the children reply 3 times only. They weren't even replies. Just cards that she had them copy from something she had written. He's not even sure if they are getting the cards he sends every single week.
It's very sad indeed.

Good luck to your son.

Next court date is 2nd October (DRA/Final) - I am sure the Judge will go with the CAFCASS report, as he took a dislike to my son at the last hearing and found all the FACTS to be true and said in his statement he found my son to be controlling....

He was ordered "Zero Contact" until the Section 7 was completed and now CAFCASS have recommended "Indirect contact" and he can go back for contact in 1 year.

I am so gutted for my son and the saddest part is 99% of what his EX has stated is lies and my son is just too young and inexperienced to get his point across, without sounding stroppy (which he really isn;t).

The experience my partner has had is similar. Although he is confident at getting his point across in court.
Ex has told lies etc about him being controling manipulative etc.. alcoholic, drug taker anything and everything to raise alarm. He passed all tests.

Luckily he has 3 months + of text evidence etc that this simply is not true and quite often the other way round. She is so derogritory and threatening in her messages.
I helped him file all this and submitted it to court, CAFCASS and other party with evidence printed off.

Does your son have anything like this that will go in his favour?

We are unsure if they've paid any attention to it yet as S7 report due in end of this week.
So waiting to see what they recommend.

Judge said in 2nd hearing it would have to be serious for them to stop a child from seeing a parent long term.
Surely indirect contact shouldn't be long term unless there are safeguarding issues and proved a parent us a risk 🙁

I know they often follow recommendation by CAFCASS that's the whole point of report.. but fingers crossed judge can see through any lies etc (they come across it all daily!) and they are known to use their own recommendations too. Well so I've read.