What does CAFCASS do?

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service represents children's interests in family proceedings in England. It carries out safeguarding checks before the first hearing and, where the court directs, prepares a section 7 report advising on what is best for the child.

What is a section 7 report?

A report ordered by the court under section 7 of the Children Act 1989, prepared by CAFCASS or the local authority. It sets out the child's wishes and feelings and makes recommendations about arrangements. Courts follow the recommendations in the large majority of cases.

How long does a section 7 report take?

Typically around twelve weeks from the direction being made, though it varies by area and case complexity.

Does CAFCASS speak to my child?

For a section 7 report, usually yes if the child is old enough. The officer will see the child, often separately from both parents, and may observe them with each parent.

How to prepare for CAFCASS

8 min read · Last reviewed 1 August 2026

Cafcass is not on your side and is not on your ex's side. Their job is the child, and every question they ask is really the same question: which of these adults can put this child ahead of their own feelings about the other one. Once you understand that, preparing becomes much simpler.

The two stages

Safeguarding checks, before the first hearing

A short telephone call with each parent, plus checks with the police and local authority. The officer writes a letter to the court. It is not a full assessment and no recommendation about arrangements is usually made at that point. Expect the call to be brief and to cover risk: domestic abuse, drugs and alcohol, mental health, and anything the checks have thrown up.

A section 7 report, if the court orders one

Much fuller. Meetings with each parent, meetings with the child, sometimes observed contact, and enquiries with school, GP and others. It ends with recommendations that carry real weight.

How to prepare

Know your own child's detail. Teacher's name, best friend, bedtime routine, favourite food, what they are struggling with. Parents who cannot answer these lose credibility instantly.
Have three or four dated examples ready for anything you want to raise. Not a folder. Examples.
Be able to say something positive and genuine about the other parent's relationship with the child.
Be able to describe what you would do differently, and what you have already changed.
Know what you are asking for, specifically, in days and times.

The biggest mistake

Spending the whole meeting on the other parent. It is the most natural thing in the world and it is the fastest way to be recorded as conflict-focused. Answer the questions you are asked, raise genuine concerns once, clearly, with dates, and then talk about your child.

Do not coach your child, do not tell them what to say, and do not record them. It is almost always detected, it is deeply harmful to the child, and it can single-handedly decide a case against you.

Tone matters more than content

Cafcass officers meet hundreds of parents in conflict. What stands out is not the strongest argument, it is calm, child-focused, specific and willing to compromise. If you are angry, and you may well have reason to be, take the meeting anyway as the version of yourself you would want your child to see at eighteen.

If you disagree with the report

Read it twice before responding. Separate factual errors, which you should identify precisely with page and paragraph, from conclusions you dislike, which you challenge with evidence rather than indignation. You can put your response in a position statement, and the officer can be asked to attend the hearing to be questioned.

Common questions

What does CAFCASS do?: The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service represents children's interests in family proceedings in England. It carries out safeguarding checks before the first hearing and, where the court directs, prepares a section 7 report advising on what is best for the child.
What is a section 7 report?: A report ordered by the court under section 7 of the Children Act 1989, prepared by CAFCASS or the local authority. It sets out the child's wishes and feelings and makes recommendations about arrangements. Courts follow the recommendations in the large majority of cases.
How long does a section 7 report take?: Typically around twelve weeks from the direction being made, though it varies by area and case complexity.
Does CAFCASS speak to my child?: For a section 7 report, usually yes if the child is old enough. The officer will see the child, often separately from both parents, and may observe them with each parent.