[Solved] Filling out C100 application

Think daddyup has experience of dapp course. Hope he can advise.

If you ask for an interim order before the Directions Hearing, the court won't order that unless all parties (including Cafcass) are in agreement. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the hearing and will still likely be reliant on all parties agreeing. If there is disagreement, it's difficult for a court to make a legal decision without hearing evidence and giving judgment.

Hi Yoda,

Thank you for your reply. That makes sense, The reason why I am asking is because I have had a good Midway report from DAPP, and that the mother agreed in early 2020 in court and it is noted down that she is in favour of direct contact as long I successfully complete the course.

Probably best just to wait for the hearing date as I should complete the DAPP course by then.

Do you think in the mean time I should contact Cafcass and give them an update on the case and submit my Midway report to them?

Hi Rrob

If you are likely to have completed Dapp by the next hearing then update CAFCASS then. Keep doing what you are doing to complete the course and ensure a good/great final report.

You already have your exs commitment to allow contact once course is completed. Just be prepared for contact to be built up. Eg supervised short sessions at a contact centre and then slowly build from there. Around the time you are finishing the course, contact your local contact centres to ask about availability and costs.. Hopefully your ex or the court/cafcass won't insist on this but be prepared.

Does your ex still have a harassment order in place or has that now expired?

Hi Daddyup,

Thank you for your response

My Harassment Order by the time I go into the directions hearing will be expired by then. (still active now).

I am aware it will have to be supervised but will happy with any contact, with my child the costs are quite high, as I have enquired.

In December 2020 I contacted 2 child contact centres, self referred. One where my ex replied to and the other contact centre my ex did no reply at all.

The first contact centre my ex advised the contact centre manager, that further sessions with DAPP are required and that contact should be with trained staff, Received a letter explaining this.

The second child contact services (Cafcass approved) self referred my paperwork and had a pre-arranged meeting explaining my situation and what I wanted, where by they did write to my ex-partner for supervised contact without a court order. My ex-partner failed to reply, and the contact centre provided me with a letter, saying there has been no response.

All this was put into an email an sent to Court, So that is where I thought I could apply for an Interim contact order as the court suggested by filling in a C2 Application.

But it makes sense to wait for the hearing date, because the Harassment order will have expired and that I should have finished the DAPP course by then, depending on the DAPP staff.

Other than discussing Contact at the Directions hearing, and hopefully getting contact, what could possibly be next steps helping me towards a final hearing, or will there be smaller hearings on progress/Cafcass updates etc...

Thank for your help.

Sounds like you've done and are doing the right things to progress and your ex seems consistent in saying contact can happen once course is completed.

No smaller sessions, just be clear on how you want contact to build up, be realistic to ensure it slowly builds up.

Also plan for when the Harassment order ends. Don't be tempted to contact ex, if it's unwelcome you will soon find another one issued, try to agree how things will look then and in the longer term.

Consider use of a contact book, any mutual friends or family who can be a point of contact? . At some point in the future the kids will be old enough to communicate with you directly through Skype etc..

Plan, be reasonable and build things up slowly. if your ex then becomes difficult the court will see you as being reasonable and not harassing and having completed the course no safeguarding..

When you do finally see the kids, make sure you keep it child focused, talk to friends and family pre and post meeting, it will be emotional so get it out of your system before seeing the kids. At the contact centre you will be observed but also your child will want to see you and spend time with you.

Look after your mental health..

All the best.

what you could also try is simply contact Cafcass and ask is there any possibility of interim contact with child, and if they could speak to your ex and see if she is willing.