CAFCASS and section 7 reports, explained

CAFCASS (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) safeguards children’s interests in family court cases in England. In private law cases — like child arrangements disputes — its officers are called Family Court Advisers, and what they write often shapes the outcome.

When CAFCASS gets involved

When a C100 application is issued, CAFCASS carries out safeguarding checks with the police and local authorities and sends the court a safeguarding letter before the first hearing. At the first hearing (FHDRA), a Family Court Adviser typically meets or speaks with both parents to help the court narrow the issues or settle them.

The section 7 report

If the case goes beyond the first hearing, the court can direct CAFCASS to prepare a report under section 7 of the Children Act 1989 about the child’s welfare and arrangements. CAFCASS describes this on its own guidance for parents: “The court asks an FCA to write a report if your case goes beyond first hearing (Section 7 reports).” The report covers the child’s wishes and feelings and the family’s circumstances, and it usually includes a recommendation. The judge considers it alongside all the other evidence — it is influential, but it is not the decision itself.

How to work with CAFCASS well

Respond promptly to calls and messages; keep contact details current with the court.
Be factual and child-focused in conversations — the adviser is assessing how you parent and cooperate, not who is the better person.
Provide evidence, not volume — a dated chronology and key documents beat a folder of everything.
Do not involve the child in the dispute — advisers are trained to spot it and it weighs heavily.
Read the safeguarding letter and any report carefully and note anything factually wrong — you can address errors at the next hearing (in your position statement — see our guide).

If you disagree with a section 7 recommendation

Ask (through your position statement) what evidence the recommendation rests on, point to bundle pages that contradict it, and identify what further evidence the court could hear. Challenge the reasoning, not the person.

Keeping everything CAFCASS asks for in one place

Between safeguarding calls, the FHDRA and a possible section 7 interview, you will be asked for the same dates and documents repeatedly. EvidenceCanvas keeps your chronology, inventory and statements consistent, so every answer you give matches the papers: see how litigants use it.

Checked against GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and justice.gov.uk on 5 October 2026. EvidenceCanvas is not a law firm and this is general information, not legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.