ginni

Hi everyone

Got my first interview (without children) with cafcass officer tomorrow. I know a few of you have had to go down the same route and wonder if you can tell me what your first interview was about.

Am assuming they want to know all about areas, schools, universities - which I have a huge pile of information in a filed folder ready for them. Have also got list of statistics regarding Brisbane to show comparisons of why we feel it will be better.

But did anybody have to show they had contacted schools etc. We can't do this yet, because we don't quite know the area we will be moving to (depends on various jobs). Any other useful points gratefully received.

Help (mild panic now setting in!) ...

sj oldfield

Dont worry about a thing, I presume it is at the court, thats where mine was. It was some old lady in a tiny room asking me why I was there.
Not really a lot to do with her, she is just a go between.

gary2rep

Hi Ginni, we've just been through the whole court proceedings ourselves and won the case. My girlfriend of nearly 4 years has a daughter to her previous boyfriend, he naturally tried to to stop us from removing her from the UK. We had social workers and 2 court hearings and we won on the second hearing. It's a very daunting experience, but you seem to have all your paperwork sorted, so don't panic and just be honest. Best of luck
Gary

ginni

Thanks for reply. Was the lady the cafcass officer and was your ex saying you he wouldn't give permission?

My interview tomorrow is at their offices. He's doing interview with me, kids and its says on the brochure, they can contact school etc. This seems so much more in depth than other people. They have until beginning of April to file the welfare report on our family and then I have another court hearing for further directions and then another after that for final hearing (listed for 2 hours). Nobody can get hold of my ex husband (he is hiding behind email address coz he owes me lots of money!.)

So I have to keep taking time out of working to attend these interviews and court sessions - paying for son's nursery even though not being paid to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though haven't got the ex on the scene to say we can't go! Don't know why this is so indepth unless I've been really unlucky and managed to get a district judge who is a stickler for formalities.

ginni

Hi Gary

Phwew it's not just me then! Did you just do what I have done and get lots of info on area, schools etc?

Thanks

Ginni

dolly1

Hi hope that it went well for you.
I have my directions hearing soon then on to the next stage.
keep posting your progress.
Dollyx

dolly1

hi
has anyone been down this route when thier child has had a good relationship with their father?

lau and mart

hi, we are having our cafcass meeting within the next three weeks too. My Sons father is denying us permission to go to australia so we are fighting our way through the courts. The main issue for us seems to be that I nor my children have been to Aus before. Although my new husband has spent a year in Aus the first Cafcass officer said that i couldn't possibly say i wanted to live there when i had never been. I duly explained that if we were granted a visa we would go on a reccee then to be told 'It doesn't quite work that way round my dear!' Basically he said we had to go first which is why we are flying out on March 30th for 3 weeks. We have been told by the solicitor to provide as much info on schools, areas, house prices etc. it seems the more into the better.

Don't panic because i dont think it is a normal pre requisite to visit first but in our case the solicitor has advised us that it will strongly support our case.

We did some research on the intenet and it sems that the main reason for the courts refusing permission is due to bad 'planning' They also take a dim view of trying to get out of the country just to distance yourslf from the father!!! We were asked this question by the officer.

A word of warning to people in same situation. My sons father has no parental responsibility, and wouldnt normally have to be asked if we wanted to go on holiday. However, because we are going through the court process we had to ask his permission to go on holiday to aus in march (cheek.) Anyway, he of course said no so we had to go back to court after supplying confirmation that we had paid for flights and accommodation to ask the court for permission, which we got. Basically loads of hassle and cost for nothing.

were just waiting for the cafcass officer to get in touch now so fingers crossed.

Final estimated cost 7 - 10 k. just for the solicitors and court costs.

Good luck with your meeting tomorrow, please let us know how you get on, and any tips.

Lau

ginni

Hi everyone

Well the first interview seemed to have been ok. Was very prepared with my information which is essential. Meeting with the kids shortly. Said could I email my ex with his interview date as they hadn't had a reply from him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol now there's a surprise!

Good luck to everyone in same situation. It's not as bad as I was expecting.

Ginni

PS: Must have built up convincing case coz the cafcass officer says he wants to emigrate now!

gary2rep

Hello Dolly (there's a film there i think)
my soon to be stepdaughter (getting married in August 2004) has a fantastic relationship with her natural father, she sees him every tuesday after school for 4 hours, stays at his house every saturday night and goes on holiday with him for 1 / 2 weeks every year. Her dad hates both me any Vicky and was furious that we won our case.
Hope this answers your question. Just ask if i can help you in any way.
Regards
Gary

dolly1

hi do your children see thier dad on a regular basis ?

dolly1

hi are you going down the court route too ? if so how far are you ? Thanks. Dolly x

dolly1

Hi sorry I can see she does.
You are the only person that I have come across that has won when the child has a good relationship with the father.
As Iam just starting this & my ex has filed for a specific issues order & we are going to a directions hearing next week.
any tips that you have( any one) are very welcome.

this is my position
My ex is very much against us going & will do all he can to stop it.
My partner is an oz citizian
we went to where he lived for 7 years last year & plan to return to live there.in the same area
The local school has agreed to take my son
I have collected evidence.

I keep hearing that it must be in the chils best interests to go-
how does the court evaluate this
how is the "loss of the father relationship evaluated" ( what does the actual report say)

anyhelp is welcome & its good to know that Iam not alone on this.
THANKS DOlly XX

ginni

Hi Dolly

Are you using a solicitor?

There is a legal precedent. I hope this link works:

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2003/1149.html

Ginni

dolly1

Hi yes i am using a solicitor 205 pounds per hour!!! she specialises in immigration law. she has asked me to provide a written account of my reasons for going to Oz this will be presented to the judge.
Hope your ok dOLLY x