[Solved] CAFCASS

Hi There,

There are discrepancies in what has happened, they state that your daughter wouldn't make eye contact while in the room with you, so implying she was scared of you/risk of harm, yet she ran from her mum to you, so can't be scared of you, especially as she broke free and ran to you a 2nd time.

It all seems so unfair, trying to base a recommendation on whether eye contact was made, children don't always make eye contact.

GTTS

Hi
yes correct

Judge said my bundle was as good as any barrister's but as Cafcass officer put 'Harm' on her report , no contact
now ex partner is saying no contact on skype xmas day as got family plans already
what can i do!!!

Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do at this point. Have the court ordered any further welfare reports?

With the next hearing not far away, I would prepare a brief position statement to tell the court what actually happened at the Cafcass office. That environment for a young child is likely to cause some anxiety, which in turn could impact on eye contact and general demeanour.

If your child has stated that her mummy and step dad were hurting her, this shouldn’t just be dismissed as coaching... that would be the Cafcass officer opinion and not based on facts/analysis.

It might be helpful for you to read the Cafcass operating framework, there’s a link to it in the stickys at the top of the legal eagle section. It sets out clearly how meetings and interviews should be managed and how a good report should be written... you may find something to use to back a complaint about how your situation is being managed.

All the best

Im so sorry to hear about this situation, truly I am. Feel for you.

From what I can say, its possible had spoken to her before but it could be the CC officer merely came to a conclusion based on she was the only female chasing the child.

Saying that... it is entirely possible since what you said about being reported a few hours after. Women are sneaky little (insert insult here) everything they do round children is pre meditated, set the stage, man falls into a situational trap and then a complaint. There is a chance that she let the child or encouraged the child to come to you so that this claim could be made.

Basic fact, dads mean nothing and in all family court women have all the power CC and alike always lean toward mother. as a man your already 20 points down before you even begin.

Ive played this game before once and did not end well at all.

Whilst I can sympathise a little with your distrust of the system and women more generally... it’s not helpful to denigrate and plant suspicions to a member that is going through court, it’s important to that we try and remain positive and open to the process.

A good working attitude towards the court and other agencies is important for anyone going through it and can make all the difference to outcomes.

dave60 - I agree with Mojo's advice regarding the position statement. It's also important to bear in mind that if agreements cannot be reached - at some point you will have an opportunity to cross examine the Cafcass officer in a final hearing and can challenge her report considerably.

painkiller - I also agree with Mojo. I too can sympathise somewhat with your distrust, but many of your replies that I've read this evening are unhelpful to our other members, but also give me concerns about how you are approaching your own case. As Mojo says, a good working attitude goes a long way in this process. It's also important to bear in mind that we have many female members who are here to support their partners, sons and friends.

Painkiller, most women are good, just the same that most men are, and of course there are a few rotten apples on both sides. Please don't apply generalised insults, it doesn't help anyone on here, and if this comes through in your own case, it will set you back considerably. You need to focus on what is important, and not on the negatives.