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As some of you know over a week ago I made a complaint to Cafcass regatding their treatement of me and indeed my child. It started off positive with a phone call to the manager. He was to meet with the officer the next day and following a couple ofdays annual leave promised to phone me on wednesday this week. Neverless I didn't revieve a call so emailed cafcass and said about this. A hour later he phoned me apoligised for not phone said he was embarassed etc. One of my complaints was at a contact session with my child I was not told the grand mother would be there, this caused me a lot of distress and ruined my contact with my son. He agreed it was not right that I was not told before hand. There seems to be an issue regarding the next hearing, the court order doesn't state the cafcass officer should be there when the judge did order that and in any case the officer is on leave on that date. As for everything else I complained about he ssid that is a matter for my solicitor to argue in court as it's content related which I don't think it was. So i'm wondering what are the next stages if my complaint? I'm guessing to ask for a written response to my complaint? Right now I am ready to make a complaint about the recent report. I am not happy with just an apology, I want to take my complaint further. An apology is all well and good but Cafcass failings on me and my child may affect the rest of our lives so an apology really doesn't cut it.
I think you need to put your complaint in writing ASAP to CAFCASS & formally get a response.
Also send a copy to the family court - do not hang around here mate - get writing.
Yes I would ask for the managers response in writing and as LD says if you want to make an official complaint then don't delay. Here's a factsheet with information about CAFCASS complaint procedure.
www.cafcass.gov.uk/media/147029/complaints_factsheet_april_2014.pdf
Thank you Jane, How long should I give them to provide me with a written response? Just reading that fact sheet it does appear that I am able to complain about the reccomendation and professional opinions however the manager informed me I was not able to do this and that has to be done in the court room. Should I start off writting another complaint about this latest report?
From the factsheet they say that you should get a response within 15 days or 5 days before the next hearing at the latest.
There's no time like the present to start your complaint letter to them, but it would be helpful if you could get the managers written response to send in with the letter.
I will be sending off a fresh complaint on Monday, however there is a hearing on Thursday so doubt it would get to the judge by then. I cant believe the manager said I couldn't complain about content when I clearly can from that fact sheet. He also said to me once the report is filed there is nothing they can do as it's now evidence of the court and they cabt recall it and change it.
Perhaps you could write a letter to the court and if possible drop it in by hand so that it will be filled a couple of days before the next hearing. You could tell them what has happened with CAFCASS and the verbal apology you received after taking your concerns to the manager. State that you are dissatisfied with the managers response and are in the process of asking for the managers response in writing and will be escalating your complaint to Cafcass complaints team.
I'm pretty sure they could file and amendment to the initial report too.
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