[Solved] Road to nowhere

Hi there

I think you're overthinking it all Granny...court is so stressful and it can magnify everything, making things seem far worse than they are.

Are you sure he's been asked to respond to the S7... or has he been asked to make a statement? If he's been asked to file a response to the S7, he should call the court office and explain that as the S7 isn't due to be filed until 25/04 it's going to be impossible to have a response prepared and filed on the same day. They should be able to advise him, it might be an error, or they may be able to sort out an extension on the filing time.

If he is confused about the assessment taking place in their offices, he can call and ask about the home assessment, there should be contact info on the letter he has received. Please don't think that they have already made their mind up, it's not a foregone conclusion.

As I said, if he's worried or confused about what's expected of him, he won't be judged for calling them to get clarification. Perhaps they can arrange for a local CAFCASS officer to make a home visit, he could suggest this.

I'm going to send you a PM

All the best

Hello Mojo,

Thank you for the response - we seem to be around at opposite times on the clock! It was good to read that what you said supported what he had gone ahead and done, so took a lot of the worry out about whether or not it was the right thing to do in questioning cafcass. You are not wrong about the stress - he's now lost even more weight and I've literally gone grey!

He phoned cafcass yesterday afternoon and the person he spoke to said that, although it does say on the orders that they need to check the suitability of his accommodation, as no problems have been raised regarding this they won't be coming out. Such a shame as he has everything ready and I can guarantee that the Judge will make another order next time for them to come out, so more time passing.

It is definitely a response to the S7 they have asked for on the same day they have told cafcass to submit it. He also phoned the court and they said to email in as this was their error - another one, surprise! - and they would get the dates changed. Sounded quite positive on the phone but again I can guarantee it won't be that straight forward.

No doubt one or the other of us will be back soon looking for your sound advice and support. We do so appreciate having you here and we thank you very much.

Granny

Hi Granny

You might like to take photographs of his accommodation and the preparations that have been made for the children, it's one way of showing the judge that everything is ready and no further order for a visit to your sons home will be necessary.

He can show them to the CAFCASS officer when he goes to the office and take them to the court and let the judge know he has them if they wish to see them. Or alternatively mention in his statement that as the CAFCASS officer wasn't able to make a home visit, he felt it appropriate to provide photos of his accommodation to the court to show that he is well prepared.

All the best

Agree with the above, it's definitely worth showing photos of how prepared the home is. I doubt the court would halt proceedings to order Cafcass to attend. Possible, but unlikely.

OK, this was 15 years ago, but I doubt it's changed too much. I took custody of my daughters as short notice form my ex and cafcass came to check that accomodation was suitable. We had set up bunk beds as a temporary measure, in an area of a room, and put a curtain up to give them privacy and to ensure that the area was something they could call their room (this was all temporary prior to having an extension built) - cafcass were happy that this was perfectly suitably for their needs. It doesn't have to be perfect, so don't worry too much about this.