Section 7 Reports
Assessing a child’s welfare and best interests in family Court proceedings
What is a Section 7 Report?
Many parents separate and divorce and are able to make arrangements for their children without any legal assistance. When this is not possible, you may make an application to the Family Court for someone to help. You will be supported in making important decisions, such as where your children live and how much time they spend with both of you.
A Section 7 Report is an assessment document prepared by a social worker under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989.
It helps the Court understand what is best for your child during private law proceedings. The report can help with decisions such as where your child should live or which school they should attend.
We are guided by something called “The Welfare Checklist “. The items on this ‘list’ have to be addressed by the authors of the report and the Judge will specifically look at this checklist when s/he reviews the report.
A recommendation will usually be made that tells the Court a Section 7 report is needed in your case, or your solicitor or barrister (if you have one) might suggest one is needed. The Court will hear your views on whether a Section 7 report is needed or not.
Our Approach to Section 7 Assessments
We focus on your child’s needs and ensure our assessments are fair and unbiased. We gather information from you, your child and other important people in your child’s life. We always make sure we meet children in a neutral environment, so they feel comfortable.
Our process includes:
1.
Reading all the papers we are sent by you and your lawyers.
2.
Meeting with each parent and observing interactions with the child.
3.
Spending time with your child/ren to understand their views.
4.
Speaking to other professionals involved in your child’s life, for example teachers.
What’s Included in the Report?
Our Section 7 Reports cover several key areas:
Parental Capacity Assessment
We look at how well each of you as parents can meet your child’s physical and emotional needs and provide a safe home.
Child’s Wishes and Feelings
We listen to what your child wants and how they feel about the situation, and we consider their ascertainable wishes and feelings too.
Safeguarding Concerns
We check for any safeguarding issues to make sure your child is protected.
Recommendations for Contact and Residence
We suggest the best arrangements for your child’s living situation and time with each parent.
Why Choose Our Section 7 Reports?
1. Trusted
Our reports are trusted by family Court judges because they are thorough and unbiased.
2. Accessible
We provide detailed assessments based on evidence from our own enquiries and the information we have received from other agencies. We also make sure our reports are accessible, avoiding complicated legal terms.
3. Fast
We typically deliver our reports within six to eight weeks, sometimes we can meet tighter timescales. This is much faster than Cafcass and many other providers. This helps reduce stress and uncertainty for you and your child.
FAQs
Is a section 7 report serious?
Yes, it is a formal Court report and therefore a serious matter. It is usually requested when separating parents need professional guidance on arrangements for their children. The report provides the Court with an independent and informed view about what is in the child’s best interests, taking into account both parents’ input and the child’s welfare.
Do judges follow section 7 reports?
Judges are not obliged to follow a Section 7 report, but they often do when it is well evidenced, balanced and professionally written. While the final decision rests with the court, a well-constructed report carries significant weight and helps guide decision-making about a child’s future arrangements.
What questions are asked in section 7?
The questions vary depending on the circumstances, but the report must refer to the Welfare Checklist (see link). These include considerations such as the child’s wishes, needs, risks and the capacity of each parent to meet those needs. The court or your legal representative can advise on any specific questions relevant to your case.
What information is detailed in section 7?
The report includes our evidence-based recommendations for your family, based on interviews with parents and direct work with children. It covers the Welfare Checklist, including any concerns about safety, well-being or parenting capacity. Our aim is to help the court reach a decision that supports the child’s best interests.
Other Ways We Can Help
Risk assessments
We carry out thorough assessments to identify risks to children’s safety and wellbeing, supporting informed safeguarding decisions.
Wishes and feelings assessments
We gather children’s views through age-appropriate methods, helping the Court understand their experiences and preferences.
Supervised and supported family time
We provide structured contact sessions that ensure children’s safety and emotional wellbeing, offering both fully supervised and lightly supported formats based on the family’s needs.
