Section 7 reports — what they are and what to expect

What is a Section 7 report?

A Section 7 report — sometimes called a welfare report — is a detailed assessment of a child’s circumstances, prepared under Section 7 of the Children Act 1989. The court orders one when it needs more information before deciding what arrangements will best serve the child’s welfare.

It’s usually prepared by a Cafcass Family Court Adviser (FCA), though the court can also direct a local authority to carry it out — typically where the family already has involvement with children’s social care.

Section 7 reports carry significant weight. Judges don’t have to follow the recommendations, but in practice they rarely depart from them without clear reasons.

When is a Section 7 report ordered?

The court orders a Section 7 report when:

• Parents cannot agree on arrangements for their children
• There are concerns about the child’s welfare that need investigation
• The court needs to understand the child’s own wishes and feelings in more depth
• There are allegations — for example of domestic abuse — that need to be assessed in the context of the child’s welfare

It’s typically ordered at the FHDRA if the case doesn’t settle. The order will specify what issues the report should address and set a deadline for it to be filed.

What the report covers

A Section 7 report is a comprehensive document. It will typically include:

The child’s wishes and feelings

The Cafcass officer will speak with the child (depending on their age and understanding) and record their views about the current arrangements and what they would like. How much weight the court gives to the child’s wishes depends on their age and maturity.

Each parent’s circumstances

The report will assess:

• Each parent’s home environment
• Their relationship with the child
• Their ability to meet the child’s day-to-day needs
• Their ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
• Any concerns about their parenting

Safeguarding matters

If there are allegations of domestic abuse, substance misuse, or other welfare concerns, the report will address these directly — assessing the risk to the child and how it should be managed.

The child’s needs

The report will consider the child’s:

• Physical and emotional needs
• Educational needs
• Relationships with both parents, siblings, extended family, and friends
• Cultural, religious, or other background factors

Recommendations

The report concludes with the Cafcass officer’s recommendations for what arrangements would best serve the child’s welfare. This might include:

• Who the child should live with
• How much time they should spend with each parent
• Any conditions that should be attached to contact
• Whether any further work or intervention is needed

The process

Cafcass contacts you

After the court makes the order, Cafcass will contact both parents to arrange appointments. Cooperate fully — being difficult or unresponsive reflects badly and can be noted in the report.

Home visits

The Cafcass officer will usually visit each parent’s home. They’ll want to:

• See the child’s living environment
• Speak with each parent separately
• Observe the child in their home setting
• Meet anyone else who lives in the home

Speaking with the child

Depending on the child’s age, the Cafcass officer will speak with them — sometimes at home, sometimes at school or at the Cafcass office. They’re trained to do this sensitively and in a way that’s age-appropriate.

Other enquiries

Cafcass may also:

• Speak with other professionals involved with the family (teachers, GPs, social workers)
• Review previous Cafcass involvement or court proceedings
• Consider any police disclosures or social care records

The report is filed

Once complete, Cafcass files the report with the court and sends copies to both parties (or their solicitors). You’ll usually receive it a week or two before the next hearing.

How to respond to the report

Read the report carefully as soon as you receive it. If you disagree with any part of it, you can:

File a written response

Most courts allow parties to file a short written response to the Section 7 report before the next hearing. Use this to:

• Correct any factual inaccuracies clearly and calmly
• Explain anything you feel has been misrepresented
• Address any recommendations you disagree with and explain why

Keep it focused and professional. Emotional responses or attacks on the Cafcass officer rarely help.

Raise concerns at the hearing

You can also raise concerns at the next hearing. The court may allow you to question the Cafcass officer directly (through cross-examination), though this is more common at final hearings.

Apply for your own expert

In some cases, it may be appropriate to instruct an independent social worker or other expert to provide a second opinion. You’ll need the court’s permission to do this. It’s expensive and courts don’t grant it routinely — but it may be justified if you have serious concerns about the Cafcass assessment.

What happens after the report

Once the Section 7 report is filed, the court will list a further hearing — usually a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) or final hearing.

At the DRA, the judge will:

• Review the report and any responses
• Explore whether the parties can now agree, in light of the recommendations
• If not, set the case down for final hearing

At a final hearing, the judge hears evidence from both parties and the Cafcass officer, and makes a final decision.

How to prepare for your Cafcass appointment

The Section 7 assessment is an opportunity to put your case clearly and calmly. To make the most of it:

• Be honest — Cafcass officers are experienced and can identify inconsistencies
• Focus on your child’s needs, not your grievances about the other parent
• Be positive about the other parent’s relationship with your child where you can
• Show that you support the child’s relationship with the other parent (unless there are genuine safety reasons not to)
• Be prepared to discuss any concerns you have, with specific examples
• Have your home tidy and welcoming when the officer visits

Cafcass is not there to take sides — they’re there to work out what is best for the child. The more clearly you can demonstrate that you understand and prioritise your child’s needs, the better.