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This is an officer of the Court, appointed to consider on the Court’s behalf what is best for your child in your given circumstances, if you cannot agree yourselves. The CAFCASS Officer will meet you and your child’s other parent, or whoever else is involved in the disagreement, see you both together or separately and then individually with your child as well, if appropriate.
CAFCASS stands for “Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service”, a government funded body whose role is to provide representation for the child in court proceedings so that the child himself does not actually go to court.
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The CAFCASS officer will try to help you reach agreement, but if that proves impossible, he or she will prepare a written report for the Court. A copy of the report is sent to all the parties involved in the case but it is private to you and should not be shown to any outsiders. The Magistrates or Judge will usually be persuaded by any recommendations of the CAFCASS Officer. If there is a contested Court hearing, the CAFCASS Officer may be called to give verbal evidence as well.
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