What's going to happen to me?
If your parents or carers split up, they
will need to sort out where you will live. They will also need to
make some decisions about you visiting and keeping in touch
with them both.
If they can agree, and you are happy with what they are
suggesting, then the whole thing can be quite simple.
Sometimes it can be
hard for families to agree about these things. If that happens
then there are people called mediators to help you
sort things out. If that does not work, then a judge in a
family court may be asked to make important decisions about you -
like where you should live or who you should
see.
Click here
for our leaflets with more information.
Who will come to see me?
A person called a Children and Family
Reporter from Cafcass may be asked to help the court decide what is
best for you. They will normally meet with you either at the
Cafcass office or visit you at home.
Will the police come to see
me?
No. Family courts are very different
from criminal courts. Family courts are there to help families and
children who can’t agree about important things. Remember, you have
done nothing wrong – what’s happening is not your fault.
What will
the Children and Family Reporter do?
They will:
- listen carefully to what you think
and feel about everything
- talk to other people like your
parents, teacher, friends and family
- help you to understand what
happens in a family court
- write a report for the family
court on what you think should happen
- tell the family court what is best
for you.
What will the
Children and Family Reporter ask me?
The Children and Family Reporter will
ask about what you want, but will not ask you to decide what
happens next or choose between your parents.
Is
what I tell the Children and Family Reporter
secret?
Anything you talk about with the
Children and Family Reporter may go in their report, and they may
want to talk with your parents about it. If you’re worried
about this, you should ask the Children and Family Reporter when
you see them.
Do I have to go to court?
No. Children are not usually asked to
go to court. It is the job of the Children and Family Reporter from
Cafcass to make sure that your views are passed on to the Judge.
But if you do want to go to court yourself, tell your
Cafcass worker and they will talk to you about this.
What will happen in court?
The Children and Family Reporter will
write a report for the court. In the report they will tell the
judge what you want and what they think is best for you. The judge
will listen carefully to everyone and try to help everyone agree.
But if they can't agree, the judge will decide what is best for
you. Your Cafcass worker will
help you through this.
Will the court do what I want?
The court will do what it thinks is best for
you. This might not be exactly what you want. But before deciding,
the judge will have thought carefully about your wishes and
feelings.
Will I be split up from my brothers and
sisters?
This should not happen
unless there is a very important reason. Children and
Family Reporters and the courts know that most brothers and sisters
want to stay together – even if they argue sometimes!
What
happens after the court case is over?
Your parents or carers will
usually be the ones to tell you what the Judge has decided.
Occasionally, though, the judge might ask the Children and Family
Reporter to explain how the court’s decision will affect you. The
Children and Family Reporter’s job is then over.