Frequently asked questions

Find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Advice and support

What information do you have on alienating behaviours?

Please see our alienating behaviours page for more information.

Alienating behaviours
Can the Domestic Violence Perpetrators’ Programme and/or the Separated Parents Information Programme be accessed without a referral from Cafcass?

Yes, however there may be a charge involved. You can use the directory of services to find a programme near you along with details on how to get in touch with the organisers.

Directory of providers

Can I record my interview with Cafcass?

There should be no need to record an interview with Cafcass but if you tell the Family Court Adviser (FCA) that is what you intend to do then this will be referred to in the report and they may ask you to provide a copy of the recording if you intend to send it to the court. A copy would also have to be provide to the other party.

Interviews will contain information confidential to the court, and the FCA may ask the court to make an order about how any recording can be kept confidential if they are worried about it being disclosed – for example, if the recording is posted on social media or shared with people who are not entitled to have access to it.
How do I offer feedback/make a complaint to Cafcass?

Please see our feedback and complaints pages for more information.

Feedback for adults

Feedback for young people
Where can I find contact information for my local Cafcass office/Family Court Adviser?

All local Cafcass offices and Family Court Advisers may be contacted via the main Cafcass telephone number 0300 456 4000.

Find your local Cafcass office
Does Cafcass record phone calls about my case?

Cafcass does not record telephone calls as a written record of each call relevant to the case should be made and kept on the case file, in line with the Case Recording and Retention Policy.

I am concerned about the welfare of a child – what should I do?

If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact the police or your local authority (social services) as soon as possible.
I want to make a complaint about social services/local authority

Complaints about a local authority cannot be made through Cafcass. Please contact the local authority for details about their complaints procedure. If you are not satisfied with their response you can progress your complaint with the ombudsman. You can find more details about this on the Gov.uk site.

I’d like to do some research with Cafcass

If you are interested in doing research that involves Cafcass in any way, you will need to fill out an application form.

Research
How do I request information about Cafcass?

If the information you would like is not already published either in our Publication Scheme or Freedom of Information disclosure logs you can make a Freedom of Information request. Please see our Freedom of Information factsheet and FOI page for more details.

Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests
I’d like more information on your policies

You can find a list of our current policies on our policy page.

Policies