Independent Social Worker

[ConfusedDad]

Hello, I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. My 13-year-old daughter has been living with me for almost a year and refuses to have any contact with her mother, who she is terrified of. Cafcass have said she should live with me in their S7 reporr. The mother's lawyers have pushed for an Independent Social Worker, which the mother will pay for, and the court ordered that this should happen. However, I am very worried. If someone instructs and pays for an ISW, is the ISW more likely to favour them in their report back to the court? I am confident that anyone 'neutral', like Cafcass did, would say my daughter should live with me and allow her time to make her own progress back to contact with her mother at her own pace. But I am concerned that an ISW could be impartial towards the person paying for them. Thanks to anyone who can help!

[DJR434]

Hi
I totally agree with everything that you have said.
I hope that things work out well for you and your daughter!!
With kind regards

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear ConfusedDad

Welcome to Family Rights Group parents’ discussion forum.

I see from your post that you are currently involved in private law proceedings between yourself and your daughter’s mother. A Cafcass report has been done and the recommendation is that your daughter should remain in your care.

The mother wishes to challenge the report and the court has given permission for an independent social worker to carry out a further assessment which she will pay for. You are worried that because the mother is paying the outcome is likely to be different to the Cafcass officer’s recommendation.

In my view, the independent social worker is a professional and the report should be done, whether being paid for by the mother or not, to provide information to the court about what is I daughter’s best interests. Your solicitor will no doubt have advised you about this. The independent social worker is likely to consider your daughter’s wishes and feelings about where she wants to live and look at the reasons why she is so opposed to her mother. Apart, from the fact that the mother is paying for the further report, is there any reason other why you think the recommendation will be different.

At the final hearing it will be for the judge having considered all the evidence to reach a conclusion about where your daughter lives and his or her main consideration will be her welfare and how best this will be satisfied in the long term.

I suggest you discuss your concerns with your solicitor. Our service advises on public law issues where children’s services is involved.

Best wishes

Suzie

[ConfusedDad]

Thank you Suzie - that's really helpful.