Chapert seven - welfare reports

What Is A Welfare Report?

Again we only provide limited information on this site on the provision of Welfare Reports. As noted earlier, where a case is contested by the Respondent(s), or if an applicant is not supported by a Social Services Department in making their application, it is standard procedure for the court to appoint a CAFCASS officer (formerly Court Welfare Office or Family Court Reporter) to make a welfare report which address specific concerns and areas related to the Residence Order application.

The CAFCASS officer is usually appointed at the first Directions Hearing and a time-limit will be set for the officer to produce the report. The average time allowed for the production of reports is 3-4 months although concerns have been expressed in some localities that lengthy delays in production of reports can lead to a period of uncertainty for children and families.

The CAFCASS officer (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will observe your interactions with the child(ren) and interview you, the Respondents and the child if they are old enough to put their opinions across, (and the child's carers if your grandchild is living with foster carers, is in a residential home or is otherwise accommodated by the local authority) before coming to a decision on where your grandchild should live. The CAFCASS officer is also able to seek information from social workers, teachers, health visitors or any other person who they feel has an important contribution to make.

What happens when the CAFCASS officer has made a report?

Once the CAFCASS officer has written their report they must file it with the court at least 14 days before the specified hearing date and must also serve a copy of it on you and the other parties to the case. The Welfare Report is extremely important, as often a judge will simply ‘rubber stamp' the CAFCASS officer's recommendation. However if you disagree with any point made in the report it is possible to ask the officer for more information on the report either in court or before you attend. As a final resort if you totally disagree with a recommendation in the report, it is possible to ask the court (or the CAFCASS Manager to appoint another officer to undertake another report).

Generally however the CAFCASS officer will make a professional, uncontroversial report which clearly sets out what is in the best interests of the child. The report will be based upon the officer's knowledge of your family (gleaned from interviews, statements and medical or educational reports), and their years of experience of carrying out Children Act assessments.

Finally, good luck with your application and remember that FRG are here to help you.