# Cafcass Reports Explained: What the Officer Does and How Reports Are Written

*Last reviewed: 31 August 2026. Informational only — not legal advice.*

## Who is Cafcass?

The **Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service** (Cafcass) represents children's interests in family court cases in England. In Wales, the equivalent body is **CAFCASS Cymru**. Officers (formerly called court reporters, now usually "Family Court Advisers") are qualified social workers.

## When does Cafcass get involved?

At the start of nearly every Child Arrangements case, in two stages:

1. **Safeguarding checks (before the first hearing).** Cafcass runs police (Police National Computer) and local authority checks on both parties, holds a short safeguarding conversation with each parent by phone, and files a **safeguarding letter** for the judge. This letter typically recommends whether the case can proceed and whether interim contact should start.
2. **Further reporting (if ordered).** If agreement isn't reached, the court can direct:
   - A **Section 7 report** (Children Act 1989) — the most common. A full investigation into the child's welfare and recommendations about arrangements. Takes roughly 8–12 weeks.
   - A **Section 37 report** — where the court is considering whether a care/supervision order might be needed (serious cases).
   - **Rule 16.4 appointment** — a guardian appointed for the child in the most complex or high-conflict cases.

## What is in a Section 7 report?

A typical S7 report covers:

- The child's needs, wishes and feelings (depending on age and understanding)
- Each parent's background, home circumstances, and parenting capacity
- History of safeguarding concerns and how each parent has cared for the child
- Risk factors: domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health, neglect allegations
- Observations of parent-child interaction (sometimes an observation session)
- **A recommendation** — what arrangements the officer thinks best serve the child's welfare

The recommendation is persuasive but not binding; the judge decides. However, in practice courts follow Cafcass recommendations in the large majority of cases, so treat the report with seriousness.

## How to work with your Cafcass officer

- **Respond promptly** to calls and emails; be organised and factual.
- **Provide evidence, not narratives**: school reports, medical records, police references, contact logs.
- **Stay child-focused**: talk about the child's routine, needs, and relationships — not your ex's flaws.
- **Be consistent**: contradictions between what you tell Cafcass, the court, and other agencies damage credibility.
- **Do not coach the child.** Officers are trained to detect this and it is severely frowned on.

## If you disagree with the report

You can challenge it:

1. **At the hearing** — cross-examine the officer (you may need the court's permission to require their attendance).
2. **Ask for amendments** — factual errors can be corrected before the report is finalised.
3. **Complain** — through Cafcass's complaints process for service failures (though a complaint won't change the court case by itself).
4. **Ask for a second opinion** — e.g. an independent expert, though courts restrict expert reports (Part 25 FPR) and rarely allow them just because you dislike a recommendation.

## Common mistakes to avoid

- Ignoring calls from the officer or treating them as the enemy.
- Sending hundreds of pages of material — provide a short, relevant bundle.
- Attacking the officer instead of addressing the welfare checklist.
- Bringing the child to believe the officer is "on your side".

## Related guides

- [Applying for a C100](applying-for-child-arrangements-order.md)
- [Responding to a C100](responding-to-child-arrangements-application.md)
- [DV and safeguarding screening](dv-screening-cafcass.md)
- [Writing court statements](writing-court-statements.md)

*Sources: Children Act 1989 ss.7 and 37; FPR 2010 r.16.4; Cafcass operating framework.*