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Soooo... First hearing seems like a while ago now (big thanks to everyone here, especially Mojo, for helping me prepare for that!) - a section 7 report was ordered and has been completed, I've had my meeting with CAFCASS, the interim order has been followed and I've even gone the extra yard on a couple of occasions.
The jist is that I discovered a fair few facts about my sons home environment in the section 7 report - there's historic involvement of social services and the police, mainly centred around alcohol, with a bit of domestic violence thrown in.
So what will the next hearing be centred around and what is going to be the goal? I've not been contacted by the court to provide anything and I'm rather unsure of what to expect going into this. Am I expected to prepare a statement going over everything I've already said or do I simply need to sit and say what I would like to happen going forward? Are they going to go over the facts in the report and is this the point where I am going to having counter allegations thrown at me? Given the nature of the report I'd imagine that the events detailed in there would be the focus but not having heard anything, I just want to make sure I'm prepared.
As always, thanks in advance, it's immensely appreciated.
Wanted to add, today I received from ex's solicitor an update to the court bundle before the first hearing. It's pretty much the interim order from the first hearing, the Section 7 report which CAFCASS have already sent me and an updated index.
It says it has been sent ahead of the Dispute Resolution Appointment. I've still had nothing from the court to tell me that they need anything specific from me, so what should I expect on the day? Is it likely there is going to be another hearing following on from this?
What are the recommendations in the S7?
That is likely to be the agenda for this hearing.
Both parents to attend an SPIP, contact to continue in line with the interim order, a few recommendations for the ex and her partner revolving around their home life, and pretty much the threat that social services will be more heavily involved if there are any more occurrences. I personally feel that would be leaving it too late and they should be involved now but I get that the court will likely go ahead with the CAFCASS recommendation.
Should I be preparing statements and such just in case this turns into a final hearing or is it likely that there will be another?
If the court wanted you to file anything it would have been specified in the interim order. If there are any new developments that you would like to tell the court about you can prepare a brief position statement, if you would like to respond to the S7 you can ask the court for permission to file a response.
If you and the other party can reach agreement, the hearing could turn into a final hearing with a final order, but if not it's likely to go to a contested hearing. It's always better to try and reach agreement, as it can drag on, which isn't good for either party. However, don't be railroaded by her solicitor to agree to anything that you're unhappy with and if there is a final order, ask for a review hearing in six months to make sure that everyone is complying and that contact is going well and the issues have been put to bed.
All the best
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