[Solved] S7 report

Hi There,
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I'm not very experienced with the section 7 reports, though from the judge saying you should try and sort some contact between you I would say that they didn't have any concerns and that over nights would be hopeful, the SPIP course seems to be a common thing to send parent on who don't agree so wouldn't worry about that.
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Someone else with more experience of the section 7 report will probably add more.
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GTTS

If you do a quick forum catagory search on the S7 reports you will find some good stories and some horror stories.....all seems to boil down to how much [censored] your ex tells the CAFCASS case worker and how much they believe over you!

in my case the CAFCASS worker refused to consider 2 previous S7 reports or the Judgements in the (6yrs) i'd been fighting for more contact and went purely on the "alledged" wishes and feelings of my son....a young child who has been constantly told that i intend to take him away from his mother and to have her put in prison! understanably he was then upset at the thought of me having him for more overnights "in case i don't take him back to his mother"!!!!

anyway....its hit and miss with these S7's and CAFCASS (in my opinion) but the key i'm told is to be honest...child focussed and don't slag the ex off no matter how evil she may be......
my mistake....was believing the courts 6yrs ago.....and going it alone back in 2011....wasted way too many years believing the courts orders were going to help me have more time with my son.
get them firmed up on time scales when you get to that point....don't let them put in "other time to be agreed between the parents!" if you feel she'd not stick to it.

Most dads are unhappy with the S7 report but there are a few which turn out good as dadidad has said it has a lot on how you present yourself when you have your interview sad as it is, these cafcass "officers" are like mini hitlers as has been said no slagging the ex hardly mention her if you can base everything on the child and nothing else, mine was absolutely dire and slagged me off at every turn it was terrible I was painted as a proper psycho nut job wife beating crazy madman just by my body language but the judges seem to disregard everything in it and promoted contact 🙂

Hi, you've had some good advice there. A S7 report is similar to the S2 Safeguarding letter that CAFCASS will have written at the start of your hearing but in more detail.

CAFCASS are likely to interview both of the parties at home or at their offices and sometimes also observe the child with one or both of the parents and then make their recommendations. Most S7 reports are unbiased and fair but there are always exceptions, we tend to hear more about the bad reports on here than the good ones.

As has been said, remain child focused, don't slag off the ex and try to show and tell the CAFCASS officer why increasing to overnight is in your child's best interests and how you will meet their needs in your care.

When CAFCASS & the court are making decisions, they always look at The Welfare Checklist;

The Welfare Checklist - section 1 Children Act 1989
When a court is considering making any of these orders it must have regard in particular to:
a) The ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in light of his age and understanding)
b) His physical, emotional and/or educational needs
c) The likely effect on him of any change in his circumstances
d) His age, [censored], background and any characteristics of his, which the court considers relevant;
e) Any harm which he has suffered or is at risk of suffering
f) How capable each of his parents and any other person in relation to whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting his needs
g) The range of powers available to the court under the Children Act 1989 in the proceedings in question.
For all proceedings under the Children Act 1989 when the court considers a question of the child's upbringing the child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration.

Good luck and let us know if we can answer any other questions for you.