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Final hearing was last month. Basic outline of the issues 2 children who currently reside with their mum. Father has contact during school holidays. A few months ago he found out through his ex and through ss that the children had witnessed violence in the maternal home. The childreb confided in myself (stepmum) and their dad about some arguements between their mum and step dad in which their bedroom was trashed by their stwp dad and the police were called out by the mother. Thw police have been called out 7 times in 7 months. Ss investgated and put children in need and set up protective factors that step father has moved out of the family house. My husband (the kids dad) applied for a change if residency for the children.
Cafcass investigated however the mother pretty much lied about the relationship continuing which eventually came out in court. The final hearing states children to remain in their mothers care and for father to have contact. Husband was obviously unhappy that they had to live there still even though he felt thw risk of future abuse was still present the judge said there was not enough evidence to support that.
We received the court order today and it says that the court advicer wishes to do a section 16a report and she can bring it back to the courts for a new decision.
Does thatmean that the cafcass worker feels like the children are still at risk? What does this assesment involve?
Ss have closed the case.
Further info: the mother denied the relationship throughout court hearing making my husband look like a [censored] then at the last moment when she was under oath the judge asked her what their relationshop was. She went into detail and said they are still in a romantic relationship and that he stays at the house 3/4 nights a week but no more as jt would affect her benefits. She wrote in her statement that he had moved out and the relationship was over she also said the same to cafcass when she was intwrviewed. The judge said she was very coy about the relationship but he didnt feel there was enough strong evidence to say the children should live with us.
..it appears that it's due to the mothers ongoing relationship with the partner, which came to light at the last moment.
A 16a is a risk assessment done by CAFCASS, that can be triggered at any time during and after a hearing. Here's more information about it.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/228815/response/565897/attach/4/S16A%20Guidance.pdf
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