[Solved] CAFCASS - Section 7 - Residency w/ Father

Thanks for the comments guys. I've been so unsure of myself throughout all of this, and I never second guess myself. In my ex last statement she mentioned how I was trying to control her and manipulate her by asking my son in the contact session "where he was last week? / How are you doing champ? " ...I have no idea if some poncey judge might agree.

Further to that though, 4 months in a contact center is taking its toll, and I want nothing more than to have some proper quality time with my son. Without it being dictated by my ex, and stating how if its community supported contact, that she will want both her parents following me around....which would just ruin our time together, as both parents are quite vile humans.

I hope it all works out and CAFCASS see how controlling she is being over our son. Demanding money and his passport before she even considers unsupervised contact, i find it all very ironic considering her was living with me happy safe and well, whilst she was on holidays every month, taking cocaine every weekend on her disabled childs benefit money, and NOW, after abducting him she dictates how, when and if i see my son, on her terms, even though she has left him in danger multiple times, all logged by myself, ...and no one as of yet has stepped up and realised how wrong this whole situation is.

... that's the trouble with court, everyone has a tendency to overthink everything and worry about the smallest of things. There's nothing wrong with asking your son how he's doing, or what he did in the week... it's called conversation. If asked about it that's the way I'd suggest you respond... with bemusement.

Having to go from having him most of the time to visits in a Contact Centre must be so hard for you, but probably more so for him, as he doesn't understand why his world has turned upside down. I don't say that to make you feel worse, you're fighting as much for him and he deserves to have you fully involved in his life again, you will get there.

If the court asks you about her parents supervising contact, explain that your relationship with them has been fractious and it would have a negative effect on your time with your son, them make suggestions for alternatives.

All you can do is to be open and honest with CAFCASS, share your concerns in a reasoned and calm manner, as we've discussed. I see you've read Mr Slims great post on dealing with them, he has some great advice.

All the best

I’m slowly coming to realise that, and sadly overlooking my serious wel evidenced concerns at the moment.

As I mentioned I submitted a C2 and C79 and after chasing the court up today they told me they will be hearing this on the 1st May, I haven’t received the paper work yet, so am unsure what to expect. Any ideas?

Fingers crossed at the very least I get weekends with him, I know when he leaves the contact room he thinks I’m right behind him, it’s so sad for me to see. I will mention that about her parents and try to suggest one of my family assists me although I know she will not go for that.

My mum has mediation with her next month so it will be good to hear how that goes.
I’m still egarly awaiting cafcass to get in touch they still haven’t received the order, literally itching. Hopefully my legal aid application is passed and my solicitor can get involved, done the paperwork yesterday.

My son showed up at the contact center yesterday with bruises lol over his body I.e. ribs, chest, sides, arms and legs. The contact center the police and myself took photos and it was referred to CAIT child abuse investigation team, but refused to take him into police protection. The police and ambulance were called but said he had to be returned to his mum, and the ambulance took him to hospital. I contacted the hospital and they refuse to tell me what is going on, I think my ex partner has told them I don’t have parental responsibility, even though I am on his birth certificate which I can produce, they told me they won’t tell me anything even if my son is being abused. I am worried sick. My ex partner has now suspended contact with my son because she said I am “abusing” her.....I am back in court Tuesday after next for the enforcement order.

That's shocking! Have you been in contact with Social Services? He is obviously at risk and they should be acting on it.

Try calling the NSPCC emergency helpline to try and get some help and advice.

I can't understand why the police and hospital are returning him to his mum and why he isn't being protected... it's no wonder you're worried sick.

You can make an urgent ex parte application to have the child placed back in your care. You can use the form C2 and may have to submit a C100 form alongside it, some court offices want both. Also submit form C1a to tell the court about the serious risk to your child. To ensure that you get in front of the judge, take the forms into the court at opening time and ask to see a judge straightaway, take copies of the photos and explain that police and hospital were involved and that contact has been suspended.... that's all I can suggest, I'm at a loss to understand why your son isn't being protected.

All the best

Social services didn’t even receive a report, I was the first to tell them. I was told by SS nothing will get done until Monday, and the assessment team will be in touch .

I contacted NSPCC who also sounded shocked, I just received an angry call back from the social worker asking why I had contacted NSPCC.

I’ll do that, C100, C2, and C1a...I’m on it.

Me too, the system is a shambles. The police man agreed he was handled roughly but told me straight up he won’t be going anywhere with me, and he can’t say for sure he’s been harmed so won’t be taking him into police protection even though I begged him to.

On top of that, the ex partner was out drinking the night away straight after the welfare check...so god knows who my son was left with AGAIN.

All the best with it LL ... please do keep us posted.

My son showed up to the contact center with bruises all over him. The police were called but refused to take him into police protection. I was instructed by the police to return him to his mother, and he was taken to the hospital.

I have been informed through her solicitor that this is a form of harassment and abuse towards my ex....
My ex-partner solicitor has issued a letter saying how, Social Services in a different borough have "suggested that my ex-partner suspend my contact" ...however am i right in thinking that social services would not make any such recommendation, as the matter is in court, and there is an active court order??

I can't see that she could just cut contact without going for a variation of the court order to back this up - have you spoken to Childrens Services about this to see what they have said (if anything).

Might be worth speaking to the Family Rights Group.

I got my section 7 report through.....I got slated...you would of thought I am a convicted violent criminal....but have no police record.

Nothing about my ex-partner, squeaky clean, overlooking the drug use, bruising all over my son, his now speech delay....

It is suggested I take part in a Domestic abuse perpetrator program (DAPP), ...which I am unsure about doing, as this suggests I am admitting I was abusive/violent, which I was not. Thats if i can admit I have been aggressive, are the words the CAFCASS lady chose to use.

Following that....supervised contact through CAFCASS, again...for god knows how long....

Then a CAM (Child arrangment meeting), for a long term arrangment...

In the meantime, indirect contact once every two weeks, by a letter or a card (hes not even two and cant read yet...)

My ex suggested unsupervised contact for 4 hours a week at my mums yesterday,...although I am guessing now this offer will be withdrawn.

I am speechless..
But on the upside, I have a barrister now.

Should I contest the DAPP, on the grounds that nothing has been proven and she has taken all my ex-partners lies as truth and ignored all of my evidence. Will a fact finding hearing follow if I contest the DAPP? and be banished if it is found that I was not infact abusive/agressive??

Any ideas what now guys?? I am hysterical with laughter at the audacity of it all, the system is so backwards.

What does your barrister suggester with regards to the DAPP? I have heard before that admitting to this can cause a problem to your case, and you can't go on the course unless you admit that you have been violent or agressive, so it can be a catch 22.

A contested hearing could be an option, your barrister should advise you on this, but in any event, you can challenge the report in court.

Have you filed your evidence with the court? You could ask permission to file a statement of response to the Section 7 report, Which would allow you to attach your evidence , if the court hasn’t had sight of it yet.