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So CAFCAAS, based on my ex allegation of DV, have recommended in their section 7
1) That I continue having 2 hours supported contact with my son and that an order is made for son to live with mum
2) That I self refer and fund a specialist risk assessment with DVIP or PAI. The court would need to consider the risk assessment and recommendations made therein to decide how this matter might be safely progressed in sons best interest. If there are recommendations for me to attend a DVPP, the court at that stage make an Activity Direction and request Cafcaas to progress the referral.
3) Pending the outcome of specialist risk assessment, there is no further role for Cafcaas
All this is pretty much based on two tape recording my wife has of me being abusive to her. Where in one I threaten to kill her. My two year old son can be heard in the background for one. I admitted to this in court and said it was something stupid I said in the heat of the moment. However, I denied her other allegations of physical assault etc
It appears the issue is the risk that any conflict between me and my ex can have on our son. Now that we are apart, why would that be a risk? We are no longer in each others faces and so wont argue. Also the ex has made no allegations between me and son.
The specialist risk assessment is a worry. They cost at least £3k to do and I don't have the money. Then if they assess me and recommend I go on a DV course that would be another £3k.
I don't know what to do. This is gonna break me.
I have magistrates and Im told these guys can't make a decesion and always take the safe option.
On the plus side you have got the golden " There is no further role for CAFCASS " line so this will be the last hurdle before contact moves away from the contact centre to a progressive build up of contact.
I'm not to sure about these courses I hope someone else on here can advise better, very few people are happy with their S7 they suck big time but if that's the only thing you have to complete then happy days I had to complete more drug tests complete a 3 month parenting course and spend 1 hour every two weeks with my girl moving to 2 hours every two weeks it's took 9 months from not seeing my daughter at all to having her every weekend fri - sun, it's a slow process but you will get there 🙂
Hey slim,
Attending the risk assesment is not the issue. I just cant afford to pay £3k for it.
Im not on legal aid. I earn £34k a year so im confortable but dont have the disposable incone to pay for courses.
Hello,
One good news is you start contact as supported not supervised, guess it's 2hrs weekly.
For you to do the DVPP course (normally runs for 30 weeks or so), you need to be assessed by the provider and anyone can do the course as long as they acknowledge some sort of abusive behaviour e.g. threatening ex. There is no point in doing some specialist assessment to ascertain course suitability based on your acknowledgment.
You will need a court order to be allowed to do the DVPP course so also Cafcass can report on it and pays for it. Ignore the "no further role for cafcass", the officer cannot decide the case management.
Going forward, you will need to engage in the course, regularly attend and it is a positive step forward. A midway report should be made available to the court and a hearing to progress contact i.e. move from the centre to community, better unsupervised. Another hearing upon completion and final report submitted, contact progressed again.
You have a strong case of the unrealistic and biased view of the officer does not take into account the norm and your financial situation.
Hope I have been helpful.
...All this is pretty much based on two tape recording my wife has of me being abusive to her. Where in one I threaten to kill her. My two year old son can be heard in the background for one. I admitted to this in court and said it was something stupid I said in the heat of the moment. However, I denied her other allegations of physical assault etc
....
This is the part that the court will find disturbing I'm afraid and in their eyes it shows that you are unable to control your emotions, especially in the presence of your child, regardless of whether its meant or not, threats to kill are taken very seriously. I think you're right and the court will take the safe option and a cautious approach and some form of course will need to be taken before contact will be progressed.
This is really tough for you but you should highlight that you would be unable to cover the costs and ask the court to make a referral to the recommended courses.
- The mother has not made any allegation between me and the child
- both the mother and contact centre have gone on record saying that the daughter is happy when with me
- ive had 20 weeks of supported contact. its only 2 hours because I cant afford to pay the contact centre £30 per hour.
- ive completed a 10 week parenting puzzle course
-
Cafcass's concern appears to be what impact any conflict between me and mother can have on the child. YEs, we argued but that was because we lived together in a tense environment. We were in each others faces. Now that we are seperated and exchanges can occur without me and her coming into contact these concerns should be less.
Sad to read about your report. As guys have mentioned above, after you have passed this hurdle, things may improve.
Regarding contact centre, there are few that offer free sessions. If you are in south London, I know couple of them.
Did the court instruct CAFCASS to investigate DV allegations ?
Hey can you tell me the name and contacts for the free centres in south london
Bexleyheath and Neutralground in Abbey wood
Those centres are an hours drive from my ex's and she doesn't drive. Shame.
If anyone can help me find a good and free/cheap (less than £30 per hour) in and around wimbledon area that would be appreciated.
Wasnt there anything near wimbledon on the Naccc site BM?
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